The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-09-16
Bertba's Mercy

Mrs St. Symington's magnificent draw
ing room flooded with light from the
glittering chandeliers; furniture of soft,
messy plush, the color of the heart of a
May rose; soft sounds of a fountain
splashing in the conservatory, and sweet,
delicious perfume exhaling from aisles
of rare exotics and tropical pines.
That was the scene that wild January
night when the storm beat without, and
cold and misery and want stalked, grim
triumvirate; when little Bertha Agincourt
nestled further down among the plumy
cushions of the easy-chair she had found
wheeled in front of the CHEEKY open fire
burning so redly behind the polished
silver bars.
A grave-faced girl, shy, blushing and
modest, with womanly eyes of tender
blue, that mirrored her pure, sweet
thoughts as faithfully as lakelet does a
flashing sunlight. A quiet, lonely little
creature, only sixteen, who had come from
a dear, happy home among New England
hills to take up the burden of life with
brave hands, though weak and all unused
to the warfare; with stout heart, for all
there We're times when it overfowed
through the sweet, frank eyes.
She had only been week at the St.
Symingtons-only week away from her
widowed mother and the plain little home
that was insufficient to give her living
longer; only week, and yet long enough
to learn the luxury of plenty and ele-
gance; not long enough to know how
miserably inferior she was held to be,
with her sweet, gentle ways, the result
of innate nobleness, to the large, ford,
fashionable daughter of the house of st.
Symington-Juanita st. Symington, with
her coal black hair streaming down over
her bright silk dress, and her jewels gilt
tering with almost barbaric splendor as
she sailed into the drawing-ro that
storming January night, followed by the
pOl NY lhUl uoifO pdlCHus
Miss Juanita's shimmering trail was
sweeping over the Moquet carpet, and
ceased its pleasant rustic suddenly as she
saw Bertha nesting, all unobservingly,
in the sacred precincts of the pink plush
chair.
Mamma! did you ever? The idea of
her coming in here! Tell her at once
what she is to do, will you?"
Mrs. st. Symington shrugged her
shoulders just little deprecatingly.
"Really, haven't the heart to, Juanita
can't see what harm there is, if the
child wants"
Juanita shot her mother glance from
her black eyes.
Nonsense, mamma! if you can't see
the harm l, can! If you won't tell her to
leave, will"
Like hawk about to pounce on dove
cote, Juanita sailed across the room,
and looked down at the pretty, bowed
head of the girl, as Bertha sat leaning on
her elbow, looking into the mass of
fame.
"Miss Agincourt, you seem to be in ig-
norance of the fact that this apartment
is not intended for the servants. Be so
good as to retire to the school-room, your
proper place, where it is understood you
will pass your evenings in the future.
Oh! DR.. Redmond, good evening! how de-
J lighted we are to see you"
And Juanita turned coldly away from
the mortified girl to greet the handsome
{ gentleman who had been admitted mo-
ment before.
He bowed and took Juanita's extended
hand, and then looked interestedly at
the sweet, shame-fushed face of the girl
who had arisen hastily from the easy
} chair.
"You comprehend, Miss Agincourt?"
Juanita's imperious voice partly arrest
ed the flying footstep, and confused
unintelligible answer came in low,
hurried tone as Bertha disappeared.
"Such impudence! the next thing ]
4 presume cook and mammals waiting maid
will be coming in when they're tired DR.
. Redmond, have you heard 'Ths Milk.
7 maids Marriage SongT"
And while the graceful fingers went
3 flashing over the keys of the piano, and
: the clear, strong voice rose in the witch.
ing chorus of the ballad, and Guy Red
I mond listened grayely, little Bertha was
2 crouching on the floor in her own dull
= cold room, crying IS if her little hear
Q would break.
1n never stay here. never! I'll ba /