Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-05-16

managed to assist her great deal-and
with her earnings soon made her mother
comfortable. her home cheerful, and she
was comparatively happy.
Thus months passed away Mr.. Mar
shall was always kind and considcrate,
but their acquaintance never ripcncd in
to anything like intimacy Their rca-
ton to each other was simply the rcla-
ton Of employer and employee, and
nothing more.
One morning, Mr.. Marshall received
a note from his copyist, informing him of
her mothers extreme illness, and beg
ging to be excused from duty two or
three days. A week passed and she did
not resume her labor. He called at her
home, and found her alone, lonely and
bereaved, for her mother had that day
been laid to rest beside her unfortunate
husband, in the little village graveyard
in their native village
Tcnderly he sought to administer the
balm of sympathy and consolation, win
ming her thoughts away from grief by
his delicious kindness.
Summer came, and one beautiful day.
Bertha proposed to visit the graves of
her parents. She asked leave of absence
of Mr.. Marshall, informing him, at the
same time, for what purpose she desired
to be absent an entire day. He very
readily granted her desires, aud, to her
surprise, asked permission to accompany
her After moments hesitation. she
replied that she would indeed be happy
to have him do so, as she would avail
herself of the opportunity to ask his adj
vice in regard to the identifying of the
place and the erection of tombstones to
mark their humble resting place.
Seated beside Mr. Marshall in his car
riage, Bertha gave herselfup tobthought,
for her companion seemed deeply absorb
ed with his own cogitations. Hardly u
dozen words were spoken by either dur
ing their ride of two hours
They reached the village, and Bertha
gave way to feelings Of deepest grief, as
She bcheld her old home and the scenes
where the days of her own happy child
hood were passed They neared the quiz
ct resting place of those so dear to her
orphan heart. Mr.. Marshall assisted Ber-
tina from the carriage, and she proceeded
at once, and alone, to the hallowod spot,
while Mr. Marshall, with refined delica-
cy, remained behind, ostensibly to at
tend to the security of the horses, but
really that she might be undisturbed in
her grief, for he believed that such grief
as hers was too sacred to be intruded
upon.
As she approached the spot she was
almost stunned with surprise Could she
believe the evidence of her own sight?--
Surely it could not be--yes -no-yes, it
was really SO the lot was enclosed by IA
neat iron fence, and marble shaft, bear
ing the names of her parents, reared its
pure, pale pillar above those sacred
graves.
''What kindly friend has done this p
she asked herself, but she could think Of
no one to whom she might attribute the
loving, generous decd. For nearly two
hours she remained there, tendcrly-twin-
ing the flowers some kind hand had plan
ted, and believing them with her tears
and then she remembered the two other
graves, which once she had visited often,
and upon which she had planted flowers
in days gone by.
Slowly she wendell her way to the well
remembered spot, and-was it possible ?
was she not mistaken this time? An iron
paling enclosed these TWO graves, mar
bic Shaft lowered above them, and there
beside these mounds, knclt her employ
er, Mr.. Marshall
He arose to his feet as she approach
ed, took her hand, and silently gazed
upon her pale features
"Mr. Marshall, what does this mean ?
Were these p" and she pointed to the
grave before them, while he interrupted
her
These were my beloved parents l3er
tina. With loving care you tended the
flowers upon these humble graves, and |
appreciated with heart which has ever
cherished your image as its queen. !
have endeavored to make slight return
for your faithful kindness, by rearing a
marble shaft over your loved ones, as |
have done above my own parents dust.
Strange that she had not thought Of it
before, his manner 50 reminded her Of
some one known long ago, and the name,
too, that he bore, the same as that Of her
boy love. Yes. it was be-the very same
whom she had loved SO long, ard ten
derly-and murmuring, 80. Frank"
she sank upon the earth at his feet.
With gentle touch he raised her to her
feet, while he said
bertha, darling, | have loved you
all the time. Boy and man, my heart
has been truly and entirely yours. 1t
so happened in Gods Lll-wise Proyi-
dencc that you sought me. If you had
not, I should have made myself known
unto you when / had learned that you
needed friends; but you had said that
you cared not if you never should see
me again, and 50, fearing to risk another
chance Of refusal, as your employer, |
remained incog / often wondered why
you had not married, for did not lose
sight Of you, and / know that you had
many offers, and when / thought Of your
visits to the graves of my parents,
sometimes almost dared TO hope that you
did love me- But will remain in doubt
no longer-tell me, Bertha, will you be
my wife 2"
For answer, she placed both hands in
bis, and with sigh, like a weary child,
she nestled her face IN his bosom.