The daily gazette., 1876-11-11
AU MT PATTY'S, STORY.
BY MARY Z. MOFFAT.


Berta Eveleath had made love match.
She was petite lively, winsome girl,
whose sparkling face had caught Mark
Eveleth's fancy. He was grave, through
ful man, much her senior, and she liked
him all the better for the contrast be-
tween him and her younger and more
volatile suitors.
They had been married year, and l
am sorry to say that Berta was not as
happy as young bride should be. The
quiet gravity which had charmed her in a.
lover had proved very depressing to the
merry-hearted, talkative girl in their long
hours Of exclusive companship.
4 Mark had genius for invention, aud
when he came home from the counting
room liked to work out the ideas which
peopled his busy brain. 1t is not strange
that young thing fresh from school, and
looking upon life as an opening vista of
enjoyment, should not appreciate the
work which took his attention SO COM
pletely from herself during the evenings
his only time at home.
Mark was working away intently at
model from which, when his idea was
| pert rfected, he hoped to reap golden bar
vest. His forehead was drawn into a
preplexed frown. Suddenly his face lighted
up, and his brow cleared.
II have it at last, Berta Strange that
| il did not strike me before y
~ am glad, Mark. You have been so
cngrossed, was afraid you would turn
into a peace Of machinery, yourself"
The words were playful. but something
| spiritless in the tone of Berta's voice
cautioned Mark to turn and look at her.
Why, Berta, you are not looking as
wei as usual What is the matter?"
Berta was too proud to say that she
was pining from sheer loneliness. He
should not see that she felt sighted and
neglected. So she said coldly.
! L think l am needing change, and if
you are willing L will accept Cousin
Crace's invitation to spend few weeks
with her."
Marks heavy eyebrows arched in sur
prise.
4What is my little wife tired of my
society so soon?"
| 'sNo, but you will not miss me. You'll
have your model to console you. May !
go ~ I
Mark put one broad palm under the
rounded chin and studied her face for a
moment regretfully. There was no mis-
taking it there was q sad change. The
bro own eyes had lost their laughing light,
and were lustreless and heavy. The soft
cheek had lost its bloom. 1t was a sweet
lovable young face, but all the eerie
brig ightness which had so charmed him had
faded out of it. '.|
He sighed. Il fear have guarded my
treasure but poorly. Certainly, .Berta
you shall go ifyou wish. l shall be very
lonely, and / fear the model will lose it:
charm when am without my little wife
to rejoice with me at any new success"
Berta's heart gave compunctious
twinge, but she did not make confession
ofher secret discomfort. So it was set
tied that she should write at once to
Grace, and tell when to meet her.
"They tell me you are married wo-
man. Are you not over young to take up
life's burden so soon? How old are you
my dear Twenty Why, l was but
fifteen when was married. must have
been a mere chit of thing, but l did
not think myself so. was well grown,
| and could manage farm work ithout feel
ing an ache orpain. Times have changed
since then. doubt if those little hands
could spin and weave, and work the yel-
low butter into pats"
ssNo, auntie they are naughty, help
less hands. And now please tell me
about your young days about your court
ship and marriage" coaxed BERTHE.
siThere is not much to tell, my dear
but you shall have the story, if 1t will
L all hoo =, or
the bitter mingled with the sweet. Iva.
an orphan, living with my aunt. A
strong, willing girl, 1 helped around, and
soon learned to do things deity. Mr.
Clay was forty years old, and widower
with daughters older than l. He we
well-looking and rich, and when he too
a fancy to me and my handy ways, ant
asked my hand in marriage, consent wa
given, and the wedding-day set, without
hardly asking me, the one most interest
ed. 1T was too fine match to let 60 by,
said my aunt. Well, had not lover tt
pa art from, and had no time for romance
50, hardly conscious of what was going
on, was married and installed mistress
Of the finest farm in the country. NJ,
three step-daughters, Kitty, just my age
Susie and Dolly, the one eighteen, tn,
other twenty, received me kindly, and W,
! lived happy, uDclouded life for severa
lyears. My husband was very proud o
| his young wife, and seemed to think ev
Ierything 1 did just right. Five years afte
my marriage my great blessing came-m.
young son-the only child God eve
gave me !; and blessed be His holy name
lie still lives, and hope will close m
old eyes when L am called hence.
i Gas said, we were at first very happy
: but after time things changed. MI
Clay grew gloomy and worried. He gre,
| to think that he was going to lose hi
. property and that his family would com
TO poverty. l was skillful cook an
liked to compound dainty dishes. II
lwould stand and watch me with darl
Igloomy eyes, as 1 was preparing thing
for the great brick oven, and knew i
Twas all the time thinking of poverty an
lruin but went on all the same an
cooked my best. After while fell int
the habit of singing, and that seemed |
Idrive away the evil spirit, even as d.
lvid's music charmed Saul !; for, child, m
husband was insane-all this time he w.