The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-09-16
"a young lady, Rose?"

|
was studying-his grave, thoughtful face
showing its strength and beauty as the
full glare of the light fell on it.
"a young lady, sure, Mr.. Guy. Least
ways lady, anyhow, young or old.
She's all SO bundled up you can't scarce
ly see her."
DR.. Redmond arose as the colored ser.
want disappeared, and went into his office
where sweet, low voice addressed him
as he closed the door.
"You are DR.. Redmond"
He bowed and took his customary
seat.
81 am troubled about my throat DR..
Redmond, and as my living depends upon
my voice, l am more than anxious to know
if am seriously threatened"
He listened, as if half familiar with her
tone, her face, then the momentary per-
sonal interest merged into customary
professional solicitude.
"You are singer, then2 Tell me the
symptoms, please"
"Oh, no, can not sing, but use my
voice almost as much as if were. am
a teacher-I used to be nursery governess
in Mrs. St. Symington's family, and I
came to you because once | saw you
there"
A sudden remembrance rushed over
him; noU he knew the cause of that sad,
momentary, half recognition. And this
was the pretty, startled little girl whose
blue eyes and sweet dropping mouth had
haunted him for months after he had
seen and pitied her in her confusion,
that January night year agone almost.
lnvoluntarily, DR.. Redmond smiled.
81 remember-Miss Agincourt. And
now you are teachingg"
She smiled in answer to his courteous,
friendly way.
"Teaching-and very hoarse at times,
with continuous aching sensation in my
throat, and tendency to cough"
Her accurate description of symptoms
at once turned the current of conversa-
ton; and when, twenty minutes later,
Bertha Agincourt left the office with
tiny package of powders in her muff, it
was with new, strange light shining in
her eyes.
"How good he is! he seems like friend
1 have always known"
While Guy Redlnonds brown eyes
watched the slight, graceful figure past
the window.
"Poor child! in six months she will not
speak above whisper for all future tinel
l wonder what she will do?'
Gradually the acquaintance, at first
purely professional, ripened into person.
al friendship; then, into warmer interest,
until, on the day when Bertha heard her
fate from DR.. Redmond's kind, pitiful
lips they had grown to be very near to
each other.
"This huskiness permanent! never
speak again! oh, DR.. Redmond, don't tell
me that" She walled forth her COM
plant so piteously, as she listened, with
blanching cheeks and quivering lips.
"You know l have done all that lies in
human power to do, Bertha. You know
it hurts me to see you take it SO to heart,
child, and yet am not sorry"
He was looking eagerly at her.
"Not sorry! not sorry that am worse
than useless until l can learn another
way of earning my bread! Oh, DR.. Red
mond, thought thought"
He had both her rebellious hands in his
now, and was half-smiling in her fearful
face.
"You thought what, Bertha? I know
you never have thought what I have
what am thinking now-what darling
little wife you are going to be for me!
You will be, won't you, dear"
His wooing was quiet, but so intense
that it's very solemnity startled her. His
wife--she-his aeifei The rapturous tears
welled to her eyes.
"Oh, DR.. Redmond"
"Never but Guy in the future, Bertha
Kiss me, darling, and tell me you do moi
regret giving up your school to teach me
how to be better man! Little Bertha
l will make you very happy if l may
May IY
And her breath almost hushed with
ecstasy, the lonely, brave little girl ac
cepted. The heaven of happiness shs
had and dreamed of-she had nevel
dared think would be her own!
'You will go down to dinner, then, to-
day, dear? If you knew how much bet
ter you were looking, and how BERTHE anG
Ora are clamoring for you"
DR.. Redmond caressed the delicate
cheek of his wife as she leaned agains