The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-02-14

sence, and SO l must"
The glorious Fourth" proved to be a
very warm day. Listlessly Bertha stood by
her little mirror to complete her simple
toilet. Her dress was an organdie-a deli
cata Glac-hued spray on a white ground
with ruf1les of lace at wrists and throat. In
place of brooch she wore cluster of fra
grant violets. A straw hat with white rib
bons and lilac WREATH pair of straw
tinted gloves and q white shawl, completed
her modest but elegant costume.
She took up her handkerchief, fan and
parasol, and ran down To her father, who
as usual on such occasions, was in O great
furry lest they should be moment late.
sch but you look cool and fresh as o
flower, Birdie!" cried he, rubbing his ru-
bicund visage with gay silk bandana.
''Brevoort will lose his heart over again ~
Bertha laughed-poor girl and together
they crossed the street and entered the
building, which was rapidly filing. An
usher-comme IL faut in white kids, white
tie and button-hole boquet - who knew
Bertha, motioned them to conspicuous
seats. All about them were familiar faces.
Bertha bowed to a host of acquaintances,
while the jolly old captain eyed her with
triumphant pride.
| Mr.. and Mrs. Brevoort, with their SON.
in-law and daughter-Lord and Lady Muir
ray-sat in front of them. The audience
was a large and fashionable one. The
platform was occupied by gentlemen of
some distinction. In their midst sat the
young orator of the day. Bertha gazed ON
the noble and beloved features with min
gled joy and pain. She scarcely caught
word of several brief addresses, nor gave
the attention she ought to the Rev. DR..
Clarke's prayer; nor followed the reading
of the glorious Declaration of Independence,
as interpreted in husky voice by a POM
pous individual, General Tremaine, SO
intent was she upon her own secret
thoughts.
When August Brevoort arose there was
murmur of fattering applause. Every tone
of his exquisite voice fell ON Bertha's ear
like softest music; every sentence of his
eloquent address rang It's echo in her heart.
His eye singled her out from the crowd of
beauties She looked SO modest, innocent
and sweet, that looker-on would not have
wondered at his preference. Their eyes
met, and she fancied that she read in his a
look of reproach that puzzled her and be-
wildered her Flattering applause greeted
the close of his address.
The day was very warm, and but faint
breeze stole in at the open windows. There
was a cessation of tanning and rustic of
uneasiness as the Rev. Mr.. Smith began
o long prayer. A sigh of relief greeted its
conclusion. TIL, / all arose to sing '"The
Star Spangled Banner" Suddenly, ere the
singing had commenced, there was heard
low, rumbling sound, growing every mo-
ment louder, that blanched every cheek and
sent horror to every heart. Amidst shrieks
of dismay and apprehension, the end cf
the gallery nearest the platform fell with o
terrific crash.
The heap of debris coming with such
fearful momentum tore through the frail
flooring of the platform, and rushed thun-
dering into the cellar below, where it fell
with sickening thud Alas for those who
had stood on that fatal spot!
Suddenly all was panic and dismay.
People rushed wildly for the door, and were
trampled and crushed in their frantic
efforts to escape from the building.
Mrs. Brevoort is trying to make her way
to the PLATFORM" cried Capt Howard.
'What madness to press against the crowd.
She'll be crushed to death Now see that
man! Heavens! what brutes terror makes
of humanity Stay still in your place,
Bertha until return for you"
Capt. Howard sprang out into the stug-
Cling crowd to rescue Mrs. Brevoort-
none too soon, for she was already borne
down, ana in another moment would have
been beneath the feet of the crowd. 1t
took all the Herculean strength of the gal
liant old captain to lift her up, and she
moaned painfully and murmured with white
ips:-
"My shoulder was stepped on. 1 feel
faint"
Bertha stood gazing like one dazed at
the awful scene on the platform. Back of
the yawning chasm, from out the binding,
choking dust she could see those who had
been spared alive. He was not one of
them. Already men were at work clearing
the ruins and digging out the wounded,
and, alas! Bertha thought with shudder--
the dead also.
She longed to rush forward but her
trembling knees gave way and she sank in
to seat So her father found her and led
her home. He had left Mrs. Brevoort not
i L I