Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-03-02

you took off Nurse Nina's neck ?" she
"Bsg stammered the confounded woman.
Yes you took 1t Off her neck last night
when you thought was asleep"
"Tbe child is dreaming" said Mrs Hon.
per, turning red and white.
But / do not think she is" said the
doctor, quietly and firmly. "Give her the
bag, Mrs. Hopper
al never see no bag as sure as live and
breathe" asserted the woman; but DR..
Tracys quick eye followed the direction of
her wandering glance. He stepped across
the room and removed the cushion of the
stool beneath 1t lay a small, red, leather
bag, drawn up by tarnished gilt cord.
That is my bag" said the child, holding
out her small hand.
Yes, but had not better keep it for
You? Aud, little one, perhaps shall take
you home with me tonight It is not well
that you should stay in the house with
death"
81 am not afraid Of death" said the child.
gravely. Il saw my Uncle Paolo die"
"Who 2" demanded DIR. Tracy, turning
suddenly around.
"My Uncle Paolo."
And what is your name2
Bertha Petronl.
DIR. Tracy's heart seemed to stand still.
"Come here, my child" he said, in a trem-
ulous voice. "Who was this woman that
lies dead here 2"
"My nurse, Nina"
"And how did she come here 2"
A puzzled expression came over the
grave little face.
al don't know, sir; she came 10 look for
some one-I don't know who"
How old are you, Bertha 2"
al am eight years old"
DR.. Tracy opened the little leather-bag
it contained yellow letter, worn through
all the edges, and signed Helen Petroni," a
slender chain of gold and tiny ring set
with turquoises. He closed it again, feeling
like one who has Unexpectedly encountered
some rare, long-lost treasure.
"Come, little Bertha, | shall take YOU
home with me-" said he, rising.
She put her hand in his with simple
trust that brought the involuntary tears to
his eyes, and then drove away, leaving Mrs.
Hopper muttering and groaning on the
threshold.
"Child," he said, breaking the long, op-
pressive silence when they were about half
way home, "you are an orphan?"
"Yes,- said little Bertha, simply.
ado you remember nothing of your
mamma?"
"Mamma," repeated the child, vaguely.
any mamma-no; | never had a mamma |"
Wouldn't you like to have one 2"
"I-don't-know," hesitated Bertha. az
don't know how it would seem to have one."
1t was intensely dark when they drove UP
to the doctors house, but the lights shone
like cheerful beacons, and Helen was in the
hall TO greet him.
"My love-" he said standing on the thresh.
old, II have brought you little daughter
TO love and cherish-some one to fill the lost
Bertha's place."
As he led the fair-haired child forward,
Helen gazed wildly at her for moment, and
then burst into wild, glad cry,
"Bertha my own little Bertha' ''
| The mothers instinct had triumphed over
all those long, long years of separation and
in the tiny embrace that enfolded her tiny
form poor little Bertha Petroni first learned
show it would seem " to have a mother.
"Well," said DR.. Tracy, smiling through
a dimness in his sight, " if were an infidel,
l might say fate had done this. AS am
not l will venture to assert that the hand
of Providence has led us most miraculously
through this long labyrinth of years."-
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