Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-04-17
Au 0rigimal Sturg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
FLORIMOND;
DIVORCE OR No DIVORCE.
BY MRS. CLARK WARING.
CHAPTER XXI.
pERTA WRITES A LETTER.

~
CHAPTER XXI.
BERTA WRITES LETTER.
The next day was cloudy and dismal. Flo
rimond sat beside the one little narrow window,
which their miserable garret room contained,
trying to paint by the gloomy light. On the
previous afternoon, after many disappoint'
ments, failures and harsh rebufs, she had at
last gained access to the presence of kind
hearted photographer, who had given her
some photographs to color, as test of her skill.
Since daylight she had been working inces-
sanity, anxious to complete her task and get
farther employment. The number ofuncolor-
ed faces was rapidly diminishing, under the
skillful manipulations of her quick fingers,
but Florimond was weary, and felt faint and
weak. She had scarcely touched food for
days, and the anxiety, fatigue, excitement and
hard lessons and misfortunes Of her recent ex-
perience, had already told fearfully on her
high-sensitive, nervous organization.
Mamma" said Berta, who was standing
beside her mother, looking out on the heavy
sky and dirty street beneath, chow long are
we going to stay in this dreadful place?"
II do not know, my child" answered her
mother wearily, sighing. 1--WE have no other
place to 60. God be thanked for even this
shelter"
After this reply, Berta was, for long time,
grave and thoughtful, and then asked hesita-
tingly, looking the while steadily at her
mother
"Dear mamma, why does not papa come
and take US away from this awful placer"
"Your papa does not know we are here, my
child"
"And do you know where my papa is ?"
"No, do not"
"Suppose you wanted very much to write to
him, mamma, where would you send the let
teri"
"It is not very likely should write to him
under any circumstances" said Florimond ab-
stractedly, selecting new picture and regard
ing the face attentively. IF, however, such
necessity should arise, I should send the let
ter to your grandfather, who lives at Madi-
sonville since the war"
Mamma, please tell me, why does not papa
come to see US and stay with US all the time,
like other little girls papas?"
"Your father and did not agree, Berta, on
some points; and the greatest difficulty of all
was, he did not care for me as some other hus-
bands do for their wives"
"Oh mamma" exclaimed Berta, complete
ly appalled,. "Did not care for you! Why
how could that be, and you so good and sweet !;
and, Mr.. 3ainbridge says, the most beautiful
lady in the world
"Not for him-your father" said Florimond,
bitterly.
"Oh am sure you must be mistaken,
mamma" said Berta, pleading for the father
whom she had never seen. "He must love
you. Ifhe would only come and take US away
from this horrid place, back to dear Clare
mont"
"Ah! Berta, see how it is," said Flori-
moud; "you are tired of your mother and our
wretched poverty, and you wish to desert me.
Well, 60 TO your father. l would not keep
you against your desire"
"My dearest, dearest mamma" said the
child, fondly embracing her mother passion
ately, II could never leave you, even for my
dear papa-it would quite break my heart /;
but you look so sick, mamma, and we have
nothing nice to eat and this is such dread
full place-and I thought if papa would come
and take US back to Claremont."
"Pray do not speak of happy Claremont,"
cried Florimond. II cannot bear the sound
of it! 1t quite unnerves me" and the unhappy
woman threw herself on the miserable couch
in violent emotion.
Berta climbed up beside her and sobbed
and moaned, and lavished upon her mother
the tenderest words of affection. For long
time without any avail, but when the storm
of emotion had subsidized, a profound calm en-
sued, and lulled by the child's soothing Ca
resses and gentle words, Florimond fell into
quiet sfumber. When Berta was assur-
ed that her mother slept souudlY, she
moved gently away, and sliding down from
the high bed, noiselessly left the room. De-
scending flight after flight of dirty, rickety
stairs, the child at last reached the door open
ing on the street. For moment she stood
motionless, looking out into the busy, strange
street, with feeling of dismay; but there was
mighty purpose working in Berta's heart,
which gave her strength to attempt anything.
Stepping out on the pavement she ran lightly
across the street to small stationer's shop,
whose existence she had discovered from her
garret window Entering this, Berta asked
timidly for some paper, pen, some ink and
postage stamp. She spoke so low, she was
obliged to repeat her wants to the Jew who
stood behind the counter. The man asked
her how much money she had to pay for all
those things and Berta threw silver half
dollar on the counter. She was furnished &C.
cordingly, and ran back as fast as possible to
the high room in the garret. Her mother
was still asleep, as she sat down in corner to
write her letter, using an old wooden chair
for desk. She took care to place herself in
aposition, where her employment could not be
observed from the bed. Here she wrote, and
re-wrote, and wrote again, and destroyed