Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1879-03-18
advancement Of her only brother. It
was owing to her influence that August

was owing to her influence that August
| accompanied her husband to Europe.
Prior to the departure, Bertha had ex-
pected August to come end say good.
bye and to exchange the promise OF
love that had been given thousand
times in all but words. She waited in
vain; he-did not come, and she received
no word of farewell. She was forced to
the agonizing conclusion that he had
| yielded to the wishes of his ambitious
| friends and given her up. For year
she had struggled to hide her sorrow
and to make home cheerful and happy
for her aged father. 1t had been ex.
ceedingly heavy work.
As she sat on the veranda on the warm
summer day on which our story opens, q
great tear fell on her work, followed by
another and another till her eyes were
| dimmed. Her needle went aslant and
pricked her finger, and her work dropped
from her hands. She gazed through the
trees over at the old town hall wistfully.
ST shall see and hear him there, u
thought she, "and crowds of others
will see and hear him also. He is rich,
happy, courted and content. How could
l have believed his youthful love for me
would have endured wish I need not
go, after all; but every one would notice
and comment on my absence, and SO
must"
The glorious Fourth" proved to be
a very warm day. Listlessly Bertha
stood by her little mirror to complete
her toilet. Her dress was an organdie-
a delicate hlac-hued spray on a white
ground-with ruffies of lace at the wrists
and throat. In place of a brooch she
wore cluster of fragrant violets. A
straw hat with white ribbons and lilac
wreath, pair of straw-tinted gloves and
a 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
a great hurry lest they should be 8
moment late.
"Eh ! but you look cool and fresh
as flower, Birdiel" cried he, rubbing
his rubicund visage with a gay silB
bandana. ''Brevoort will lose his
heart over again !"
Bertha laughed-poor girl--and to.
gether they crossed the street and enter.
ed the building which was rapidly fill
ing. An usher, who knew Bertha, mo-
toned them to conspicuous seats. AL
about them were familiar faces. Bertha
bowed to host of acquaintances, while
the jolly old captain eyed her with tri-
umphant pride,
Mr.. and Mrs. Brevoort, with theil
son-in-law and daughter, Lord and Lady
1 It N.
audience was a large and fashionable
one. The platform was occupied BY
gentlemen of some distinction. In theil
midst sat the young orator of the day.
Bertha gazed on the noble and beloved
features with Joy and pain. She scarce
| ly caught word of several brief ad-
dresses, nor gave the attention she
ought to the Rev. DR.. Olarke's prayer
nor followed General Tremaine's read
| ing of the Declaration of Independence,
so intent was she upon her own secret
thoughts.
When August Brevoort arose there
was a murmur of hattering applause.
Every tone of his exquisite voice fell on
Bertha's ear like softest music; every
sentence of his eloquent address rang its
echo in her heart. His eyes singled her
ont from the crowd of beauties. She
looked SO modest, innocent and sweet,
that locker on would not have wonder
ed at his preference. Their eyes met,
and she fancied that she read in his
look of reproach that puzzled her and
bewildered her. Flattering applause
greeted the close of his address.
! The day was very warm; and but q
faint breeze stole in at the open win
dows. There was a cessation of tanning
and q rustic of uneasiness as the Rev.
Mr.. Smith began long prayer. Then
| all arose to sing, "The Star Spanqled
Banner. Suddenly, ere the singing
had commenced, there was heard low,
rumbling sound, growing every moment
| louder, that blanched every cheek and
sent horror to every heart. Amidst
shrieks OF dismay and apprehension, the
end OF the gallery nearest the platform
| fell with terrific crash.
The heap of debris coming with such
fearful momentum, tore through the
frail flooring Of the platform, and rush
ed laundering into the cellar below,
where it fell with sickening thud.
Alas for those who 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 build
ing.
Mrs. Brevoort is trying to make her
way to the platform /" cried Capt. How
ard. "What madness to press against
the crowdl She'll be crushed TO death |
Now see that man Heavens | What
hrutes terror makes of humanity Stay
still in your place. Bertha, until I re-
turn for you"
Capt. Howard sprang out into the
struggling crowd to rescue Mrs. Bre-
voort-and none too soon, for she was
borne down, and in another moment
would have been beneath the feet of { he
crowd. Ittook all the herculean strength
of the gallant old captain to lift her up,
and she moaned painfully, and murmur-
ed with white lips:
my shoulder was stepped on. /
feel faint"
Bertha stood gazing like one dazed at
the awful scene on the platform. Back
OF the yawnirg ehasm, from out the
binding, choking dust she could see
those who had been spared alive. He
was not one of them. Already men we're
at work clearing the ruins and digging
out the wounded, but, alasl Bertha