Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1879-03-18

ed to hear the CHASTITY tread OF measured
steps, and again men entered her
presence carrying q shutter. AS in a
dream she heard:
"Young Brevoort, Miss Bertha .
"Oh, my Godl' she moaned, with
livid lips.
"I am not dead, Bertha, came from
the shutter. "Do not be alarmed"
"He has tainted" said the doctor.
"There must be no talking and no ex-
| citement."
Bertha motioned them to her own
snowy little room. In the course of the
afternoon the little house became like a
hospital. Bertha was kept busy, only
once or twice finding opportunity to
steal into her own room, carefully
shaded, where lay her lover, his wounds
dressed, ghastly bandage across his
brow, moaning in a sleep produced by
opiates. Then poor Bertha sighed
heavily and rushed out to where she
was needed.
Toward evening carriage drove up,
and Mrs. Brevoort was assisted to alight
She was still suffering from her injuries,
and moved like one in pain.
81 thank you for your good care OF
my son." said she to Bertha. "There
is bed prepared in the carriage, and
the doctor thinks it safe to move him,
so will trouble you no longer; indeed,
Miss Howard, your heart and your hands
must be full"
In truth the little house, being SO
near the fatal building, was filed TO its
utmost capacity with the wounded and
their friends.
To old Captain Howard Mrs. Brevoort
extended her hand, saying:
ST owe my life to you. I shall not
forget the debt, nor prove ungrateful. f"
The following week was one Of gloom
in the village. Several of the wounded
had died, and others were slowly recov-
ering; funerals had been of almost daily
occurrence, and the bells had tolled
mournfully. There had been investigat-
ing committees, indignation meetings,
and the usual post-mortem proceedings.
Capt. Howard's little house had re-
sumed its usual appearance of quiet
restfulness. We find Bertha. as she
was week ago, on the veranda, sewing.
| The expression of sadness has deepened
on her face, and her large, thoughtful
eyes have look of weariness, as il sleep
had not wooed them kindly.
A carriage drove up and stopped at
the gate, and, to Bertha's surprise, Mrs.
Brevoort alighted. Our little heroine,
in her simple muslin dress, arose and
greeted the great lady of the place with
a modest dignity of her own. Mrs.
Breevoort seemed much agitated, and
grasped Bertha's hand almost painfully.
ST have come to confess a great
wrong" she began, to Bertha's amaze
ment, as she followed her into the
shady, fragrant parlor. She lifted her
hand as if to forbid interruption. and
continued &C For q week I have
watched by what I feared would
prove my sons deathbed. In that week
I have prayed much have registered
many VOW as to my future conduct,
should that dear sons life be spared.
Those VOWS, Miss Howard, included
reparation to yourself. You look at me
in surprise-you cannot conceive in what
] have injured you
! A year ago l was aware that my son
wished to marry you. I objected to the
match it was distasteful to me but
that does not justify my conduct. My
son wrote to you before he sailed for
Europe found the letter in his room,
opened and read it. 1t was proposal
| for marriage. He stated that he be-
lieved you loved him, and that he hoped
to receive an answer to that effect but
that, if you sent no reply, he should
| know that he had mistaken the nature
of your regard. A proposal SO put
would have been singular from almost
any one else, but from ver-sensitive
August it was but characteristic.
| "Our coachman-whomI knew would
be selected by August SIS his messenger
was an old family servant, and trusted
my judgment implicitly. To him I
said:
" Bring the letter addressed to Miss
Howard to me, and tell your master you
delivered it to the lady, saw it read, and
she told you there was no reply, 1 wish
to save my son from the consequences
Of kindness to a designing girl
| "The man believed / could only act
for my sons good, and obeyed me-. Lady
Murray requested August to 60 to New
York in advance Of the others to attend
to important business, and SO there was
no risk of chance meeting. VIC
GO / tried to convince myself that you
were not proper person for August. 1
shut my ears and my heart to the re-
ports ] heard Of your virtues, accom- :
plishments and nobility of character. I
convinced myself that August felt for
you a youthful fancy, and trusted to
the year which had gone by to work
miracles. thought you would tire of
waiting, and marry; or that Lady Muir
ray would dazzle August with Euro
pean connection. This past week has
taught me many things. / have listen
ed to my sons unconscious rawlings, and
I have come. Bertha Howard, to beg you
to return with me to August-to be his
wife if he lives, and the dear daughter
of my love whether he lives or not.
Mrs. Brevoort fell on her knees before
Bertha, who sat with her head bowed
in her hands. r.
"Oh, I beg OF You, don't r cried
Bertha, shocked and startled; for no.
Bile mind is never gratifed by the hu-
initiation Of another. spray arise-I
forgive you. I am sorry for your suffer,
ing, and am sure God has forgiven
you. Let me go with you now to see
August. long to see him |"
"Yes, my child; but you must not
excite him. He knows all; he has for
given me, and is anxiouslv looking for