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

'There must be no talking and no excitc
ment."
Bertha motfoned them 10 her own snow
little room. In the course of the afternoo
the little house became like hospitn
Bertha was kept busy, only once or twic
finding opportunity to steal into her ow.
room, carefully shaded, where lay he
lover, his wounds dressed, ghastly band
age across his brow, moaning in sleel
produced by opiatcs. Then poor Berth
sighed heavily, and rushed out to where sL
was needed.
Toward evening carriage drove up, and
Mrs. Brevoort was assisted to aight. Sh
was still suffering from her injuries, ant
moved like one in pain.
II thank you for your care of my son"
said she to Bertha, "There is q bed pre-
pared in the carriage, and the doctor thinks
it safe to move him, so 1 will trouble you
no longer; indeed, Miss Howard, your
heart and your hands must be full here
to-day"
In truth the little house, being SO near
the fatal building, YVES fill to its utmos,
capacity with the wounded and their
| friends.
To old Capt Howard Mrs. Brevoort ex-
tended her hand, SAYING
II owe my life to you. I shall not for
| get the debt, nor prove ungrateful."
The following week was one of gloom in
| the village. Several of the wounded had
died, and others were slowly recovering;
| funerals had been of almost daily occur
renee, and the bells had tolled mournfully
There had been investigating committees,
indignation meetings, and the usual post
mortem proceedings.
Capt Howard's little house had resumed
its usual appearance of quiet restfulness
We find Bertha, as she was week ago, OIL
the veranda, sewing. The expression OF
sadness has deepened on her face, and her
large, thoughtful eyes have look of weari-
ness, as if sleep had not wooed them
kindly.
A carriage drove up and stopped at the
gate, and, to Bertha's surprise, Mrs. Bre-
WORT alighted. Our little heroine, in her
simple muslin dress, arose and greeted the
great lady of the place with modest dignir
ty of her own. Mrs. Brevoort seemed
much agitated, and grasped Bertha's hand
almost painfully.
81 have come to confess great wrong"
she began, to Berthas amazement as she
followed her into the shady fragrant par
lor. She lifted her hand as if to forbid in
terruption, and continued: "For week
have watched by what feared would prove
my sons deathbed. In that week 1 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'll
IA year ago 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 of marriage. He stated
that he believed you loved him, and that he
hoped to receive an answer to that effect;
but that, if you sent no reply, he should
know he had mistaken the nature. of your
regard. A proposal soput would have been
singular from almost anyone else, but from
over-sensitiye August it was but charac-
teristie.
"Our coachman-whom knew would be
selected by August as his messenger-was
an old family servant, and trusted my judg-
ment implicitly. To him 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, I wish to
save my son from the consequences of kind
ness to designing girl
''The man believed could only act for
my sons good, and obeyed me. Lady
Murray requested August to go to New
York in advance of the others to attend to
important business, and SO there was no
risk of o chance meeting.
II tried to convince myself that you were
not proper person for August. l shut my
ears and my heart to the reports l heard of
your virtues, accomplishments, and nobility
of character. I convinced myself that
August felt for you but youthful fancy,
and trusted to the year which has gone by
to work miracles. Thought you would tire of
waiting, and marry; or that Lady Murray
would dazzle August with European con-
nection. This past week has taught me