Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-04-10

element"
Bertha motioned them 10 her own
snowy little room. In tho course OF the
afternoon the little house became Like o
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, a ghastly bandage across his
brow, moaning in sleep produced by
opiates. Then poor Bertha sighed
heavily and rushed out to where she
was needed.
Toward evening a 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,
30 will trouble you no longer; indeed,
Miss Howard, your heart and your hands
must be full.
In truth the little house, being 80
near the fatal building, was filed 10 it's
utmost capacity with the wounded and
their friends.
To old Captain Howard Mrs. Brevoort
e1Ienueu ner manu. bAyluB:
81 owe my life to you. / shall not
forget tho debt, nor prove ungrateful. Z"
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-mortcm proceedings.
Capt. Howard's little house had re-
sumed it's usual appearance Of quiet
res,iulness. We find Bertha, as she
was n week ago, on the veranda, sewing.
Tae expression OF sadness has deepened
on her face, aud 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 tho great lady OF the place with
a modest dignity OF her own. Mrs.
Breevoort seemed much agitated, and
grasped Bertha's hand almost painfully.
81 have come to confess great
wrong" she began, TO Bertha's amaze
ment, rs she followed her into the
shady, fragrant parlor. She lifted her
hand Ms if to forbid interruption, and
continued " For week / have
watched by what / feared would
prove my sons deathbed. In that week
/ have prayed muoh | have registered
many a 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 | Was aware that my son
wished to marry you. objected TO the
match il was distasteful TO me but
that does not justify my conduct. Ny
son wrote to you before he sailed Cor
Europe found the letter in his room,
opened and read it. II was q proposal
for marriage. He stated that he be-
lieved you loved him, and that he hoped
10 receive an answer TO that effect but
that, II you sent no reply, he should
know that he had mistaken the nature
Of your regard. A proposal 20 put
would have been singular from almost
any one else, but from over-Bensitive
August il was but Characteristic.
"Our coschman whom knew would
be selected by August 90 his messenger
was sn old family servant, and trusted
my judgment implicitly. To him /
said:
"Bring the letter Addressed 10 Miss
Howard to me, and tell your master you
delivered il to the lady, saw il read, and
che told you there was no reply. / wish
10 save my son from the consequences
of kindness to designing girl
"The man believed / could only act
for my sons good. and obeyed mo. Lady
Murray requested August TO go 10 New
York in advance Of the others TO attend
10 important buniness, and so there was
no risk Of q chance meeting.
tried 10 convince myself that yoa
were not proper person for August. /
shut my ears and my heart 10 the re
ports heard OF your virtues, accom-.
plishments and nobility OF character. /
convinced myself that August felt for
yon q youthful fancy, and I trusted 20
the year which had gone by 10 work
miracles. thought you wonld 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
have come, Bertha Howard, 10 beg you
10 return with me 10 August--to be his
wife il 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.
"Oh, I beg of you, don't r. cried
Bertha, shocked and startled for no.
bic mind il never gratided by the hu-
initiation of another. "Pray arise--I
forgive you. am sorry for your suffer
ing, and I am sure God has forgiven
you. Let me 60 with you now TO sec
August. long 20 see him |"
Eyes, my child; but you must not
excite him. He knows all; he has for
given me, and is anxiously looking for
you"
In Ave minutes Bertha was beside
Mrs. Brevoort in her carriage, and in
half an hour the news vaa all oyer tha