Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1876-09-20
Bertha's Mercy.

Mrs. 81. Symington's magnificent
1-aWins-room flooded with light from
,littering chandeliers, furniture of soft
nossv plush, the color of the heart of i
-sse: soft sounds of fountain splash
ng in the conservatory, and sweet de-
rtious perfume exhaling from aisles
4 rare and exotics and tropical pines.
That was the scene that wild January
-;ght when the storm beat without,
,1d cold and misery and want stalked, "a
rim triumvirate; when little Bertha
Arncourt nestled further down among
tie plumy cushions of the easy-chair
be had found wheeled in front of the
,beery open fire burning so redly be-
ind the polished silver bars.
4 grave-faced girl, shy, blus hing and
modest, with womanly eyes of tender
iile, that mirrowed her pure sweet
thoughts as faithfully as lakelet does
flashing sunlight. A quiet, lonely
lille creature, only sixteen, who had
one from a dear, happy home among
| New England hills to take up the
turlen of life with brave hands, though
weak and all unused to the warfare,
zi,h stout heart, for all there were
tines when il overfiowed through the
.Eeet, frank eyes.
She had only been 4 week at the ST.
,JmingtonS-only a week away from
sr widowed mother and the plain lit
/ L home that was insufficient TO give
n living longer; only a week, and
7et long enough to learn the luxury OF
y,aliy and elegance; not long enough
TO know how miserably inferior she
| "a, held TO be, with her sweet, gentle
| V.ys. the result of innate nobleness,
Il the large, fiOrid, fashionable daugh-
| IN Of the house of 81. Symington-
JlHiata 81. SymingtOn, with ner coal
lack hair streaming down over her
bright six dress, and her jewels gilt
gTilg with almost barbaric splendor as
he sailed into the drawing room that
stormy January night, followed by the
Iortly, less intrusive parent.
Ms, Juanita's shimmering trail was
sweeping over the Moquet carpet, and
s4sed its pleasant rustic suddenly as
;le saw Bertha nesting, all unobserv-
hgly, in the sacred precincts of the
pink plush chair.
Mamma, did you ever? The idea
Of her coming in herei Tell her at
Nee what She is to do, with you:"
Mrs. St. Symington shrugged her
2oIlders just a little deprecatingly.
Really, l haven't the heart to Juan
Ia lean't see what harm there is, if
he child wants
Juanita shot her mother a glance
fon her black eyes.
Nonsense, mamma, If you can't
= the harm, can. If you won't tell
W -NafE- W al.
Ike hawk about to pounce on a
-'eeo,e, Juanifa sailed across the room
'-l Looked down at the pretty bowed
'7a1 o. the girl, as Bertha sat leaning
% her elbow looking into the mass of
-aue.
Miss AgincOurt, you seem to be ig-
-.i@At Of the fact that this apartment
av' Intended for the servants. Be
sool as TO retire to the school-room,
'O4f proper place, where it is under
"vl You will pass your evenings in
culture. Oh, Dr. Redmond, good
'-hs. How delighted we are to see
anu Juanita turned coldly away
- lhe mortified girl to greet the
'1l'oIne gentleman who had been adj
--''ed moment before.
ne bowed and took Juanita's eX-
i, r'lcu hand and then looked interest
= d The sweet, shame-hushed face OF
hair.
lou comprehend, Miss Agincourt?'
euahllas imperious voice partly ar
-s'sa the flying footstep, and a con-
-Fu' unintelligible answer came in a
- :, hurried tongue as Bertha disap-
Such impudence. the next thing
~, aurle cook and mammals waiting
H., Will be coming in when they're
n ,r. pr. Redmond, have Ryou hoard
hiikmaid's Marriage Song""
s,1. anu While the graceful fingers went
,hs over the keys of the piano, and
ri,.s. af, strong voice rose in the
IA Sis chorus of the ballad, and Guy
a., WI, nu listened gravely, little Bertha
am Nouehlng on the floor of her OWL
v011S 5sOld room, crying as if her hear
snn.4 never stay here, never, I'll bt
fy-maid or kitchen girl before