South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-10-22
must be full here to-day

: VIC '.'ss'i o"AVins, was uttcu TO It's ut
most capacity with the wounded and
their friends.
To old Captain Howard Mrs. Brevoort
extended her hand:
I Il owe my life to YOU. shall not
forget the debt, nor prove ungrateful,"
The following week was one OF gloom
in the village.
I Several OF the wounded had died. and
others were slowly recovering; funerals
shad been of almost daily occurrence and
the bells had tolled mournfully.
! There had been investigating CON-
pittees, indignation meetings and the
usual post-mortem proceedings.
Captain Towards little house had re.
sumed its usual appearance of quiet
restfulness. We find Bertha, as she was
week ago, on the cool veranda sewing.
/. The expression of sadness has deep
ened on her face. and her large thought
ful eyes have o look of WEAKNESS. as if
sleep had not wooed them kindly.
"A carriage drove mp and stopped ut
the gate, and to Bcrthas surprise Mrs.
Brevoort alightcd
Our little heroine. in her simple mus.
lin dress, arose and greeted the great Ia
dy of the place with modest dignity of
her own. Mrs. Brevoort seemed much
agitated, and grasped Bertha's hand al
most painfully.
| - have come to confess great wrong
she began. to Bertha's amazement. as
she followed her into the shady fragrant
parlor. She lifted her hand rs if to for.
tio interruption and continued =,
I For week have, watched Ey what
feared would prove my sons deathbed.
In that week have prayed much.
/ nave registered many VOW rs to my
future conduct should that dear sons
life be spared. Those vows. Miss How.
ard, included reparation to YOURSELF
You look at me in surprise you cannot
conceive in what | have injured you!
"a year ago was aware that my son
wished to marry you. / objected to the
match; it was distasteful to me: but
that does not justify my conduct. My
son wrote tp you before b, sailed for En-.
rope, Ifoun1 the letter in his room.
opened and read it. 1t was proposal
OF marriage. lie stated that he hcliev-
cd you loved him., and that he hoped to
receive an answer to that effect but
that if you scntno reply he. should know
he had mistaken the nature OF your re-
gard. A proposal so put would have
been singular from almost any one else,
but from over-sensitive August it was
but characteristic.
| Our coachman, who ! knew would be
/ selected by August as his messenger.
was an old family servant and trusted
my Judgment implicitly. To him said:
Bring the letter addressed to Miss
Howard to me, and tell your master you
delivered it to the lady, saw it read. and
she told you there was no reply. / wish
to save my son from the consequence of
kindness to n designing girl"
The man believed | could only act
for my sons good and obeyed me-
Lady Murray requested August to 90 to
New York in advance of the others to ut.
tend TO important business, and 50 there
was no risk of n chance meeting.
| | tried to convince myself that YOU
were not proper person for August
shut my ears AMI my heart to the re-
/ ports | heard OF your virtues. accom-
comp!ishments and nobility of charac-
ter. | convinced myself that August
| felt for you but youthful fancy. and
trusted to the year which has gone by
to work miracles. | thought YOU would
tire of waiting and marry, or that Lady
Murray would dazzle August with n Eu.
ropcan CONNECTION. This past week has
taught me many things. / have listen
ed TO my sons unconscious rawlings,
and | have come, Bertha Howard. to beg
YOU to return with me TO August. TO he
his wife if he lives, and the dear daugh.
ter of my love whether he lives or not"
Mrs. Brevoort fell on her knees be.
fore Bertha, who sat with her head bow.
ell il her hands.
20, beg Of you don't 80 cried Bertha.
shocked and startled. for n noble mind
is never gratifel by humiliation of ano.
Their.
Pray arise-I forgive You am sor.
~ for your suffering. and am sure God
has forgiven you. Let me 90 with you
now to August"
Yes, my child; but you must not
excite him. lie knows. all. he has for.
given me. and he is anxiously looking
for You"
In five minutes Bertha was beside
Mrs, Brevoort in her carriage, and in half
an hour the news was all over the vii.
lagc.
As they entered his room August
looked mp eagerly and exclaimed. mo.
ther-Bertha-this is rs it should be.
shall soon be we'll"
n smile Of incTable JOY shone in bis
eyes; but Bertha shuddered rs she no.
ticed his changed appearance. giving
such touching proof of bis suGcrings.
There was quiet bedside wedding.
followed by three weeks OF watching
and care. shared by mother and wife.
With what loving wiIes Bertha beguil-
cd the weary hours Of convaIescence.-
With what joy she watched AugusCs re.
storation to health and spirits
No queen was ever more proud Of her
distinguished consort than was Bertha
Of the poor weak man with feeble steps
ard tardaged brow. who leaned on her
arm as he walked for the frat tinn i'm thn