Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1877-10-03

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sympathies which we would con
cmde she was lacking in after a
casual acquaintance. BERTHE was
fortunate to be able to arouse those
tender qualities, Ind away under a
naughty exterior. Mrs. Morton
often allowed BERTHE privileges she
did not her other servants. Thus
she often rambled with the children
about the suburbs OF the city,
among the woods not distant from
their home, among the gladcs and
elens, where the birds are free to
chant their own sweet songs of love
and praise to Him who ever rules
our destinies. Unfcttered by the
usages of society, she often held
sweet communion with nature, a
worship as pure as the tiny stream
ripping DER its pcbbly bed.
She truly loved the poetry nature
inspired-thc birds wild notes of
glee-the beautiful wild flower and
gracefully clambering vine - the
towering oak, pointing to Heavens
pure climc-thc deep ravines solemn
at the close of day. when the sun
has ceased to pour his radiant light
upon a busy, active world, but
shedding soft glow upon all ma.
lures scenes, teaching to mankind
Il lesson soon-ah! how soon - all
must sink to rcpose when the night
OF death comes on as the light of
life passes out. BESIDES the privilege
of walking BERTHE was granted the
pleasure of being alone sometimes,
aud one evening as Mrs. Morton and
her daughters were going ont for
some pleasure, she told BERTHE TO
remain and spend her time as she
deemed proper. She had often
yearned to run her fingers over the
keys of the piano that ever stood
Enclosed, ready for the children to
practice. All. how size loved the
soft sweet tones of this wonderful
instrument. This evening was her
time to try her skill. none being
near 10 listen or know the performer.
SO she softly glided into the parlor,
took her seat at the piano, and
began to play one of her favorite
pieces of music. Ii was a moonlit
evening, the mingled odorS of jcssa.
mine and roses. honeySuckle and
sweet .briar, filled the air with a rich
perfume. The sottened lights of the
chandeliers lent a identifying touch
to all the Surroundings. All! it was
IA lovely evening, inspiring the music
of sweet song. BERTHE ran her
fingers over the keys in u prelude
and began unconsciously to sing in
Il clear, soft voice song she had
often heard Henry sing in days ago:
my heart Is light. my heart is bright.
When know its idol treasures near"
Oh! how touchinSly sweet. with
what pathos did she MARBLE those
beautiful words. Her lips qHivcrcl,
her eyes mOistcncd, and her whole
frame seemed agitated with
strange emotion as she recalled past
scenes, when she had heard that
same song sung by one rs blithe
and gay as the lark OF the morn.
She felt lonely and sad, not knowing
She had Il listener at the door.
Presently gentle rap ut the door
aroused her. Somewhat: agitated.
she appeared in answer to the SUN.
mons. Imagine, gentle reader, her
surprise to meet Henry Woodham.
Words are inadequate to tell how
each wondered at the other: how
licnry.was aStOnished beyond meas.
ure to find the object of his seeking
at the house OF. Mrs. Morton, and
dressed in 40 very different style
from any he had ever seen her in
before; and she wondering what
fate had brought HIM to
the city of NJ, and to the very
place %: her conccalmcnt.
Reader, my story is done, save
the many explanations between
BERTHE and Henry, all of which have
been stated except that Henry grew
tired waiting, waiting for BERTHE to
return from the city. AS he wished
to visit his uncle's widow, Mrs. Nor
ton, anyway, he thought lie might
possibly learn something of BERTHE,
as she had gone to the city of
the place Of his aunt's
residence.
When Mrs. Morton returned with
her daughters they we're much
pleased to find their kinsman, and
more surprised to see him chatting
with their housemaid upon such
easy, familiar terms. Mrs. Morton
was completely overwhelmed after
her greeting with Henry when he
turned and introduced his affianced
bride, "Bertie Mason" Yes, they
had plighted their VOWS to each
other when there was none to wit