Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-05-11
A Sudden Shower.
Or the Engagement Ring.

~ OAdaON 0b0 0NHt
Or the Engagement Ring.
oh, yes said the doctor, rising at
last from the bedside Of bis patient, we
are certainly mending-we are certain
ly mendlng. All that your mother
needs now, Miss Fay, IS a n0urishing
diet, plenty Of beef Tea and nice sherry
and we shall keep her with US many
a long year yet
He was large benign man, and be
looked down cheerfully on Bertha Fay
as he spoke-rubbing his hands aud
anticipating a delightful answer.
There was none. The girls lips
moved, but there was no articulated
response; and look passed over her
face that seemed one Of actual agony.
Certainly her cheeks grew very pale.
The doctor started at her in amaze
ment. f
Beef tea, sir, you said, and-and
sherry she fallered.
Yes; you know how to make beef
tea, suppose 2 -.....
Yes, SIR
And the sherry-nice dry sherry,
mind-be sure and give her glass
every day with her dinner. Here is
nay card. Tell Dingley sent you, and
he will give you a frst-class article
Bertha bowed.
"A bit of nice Ibeefsteak FOR her din
ner, and cream with oatmeal at night.
Avoid hearty suppers.'
Bertha bowed again, and the doctor
took up his hat and went away.
"A very singular girl he said to hins
self, as he went down the steps. She
has hung over her mother every minute
for the last three weeks, and now La
sure her that she will get well-a thins
that seemed impossible three weeks
ago she don't even smile. l hate
these undemonstrative people y ex-
claimed the doctor, always impatient Of
ans thing incomprehensible. Such
eccenuiclhes were almost the only
thing that ruf1ed him.
Aud Bertha Fayi She stood still,
listening to bis retreating footsteps
She stood as pale and still as marble
statue; far-away, strained look in ber
eyes, that greatly detracted from her
beauty. For beauty she had, at least.
There was the faint tint Of a dimple 10
the white cheek; the features were
finely chiseled; the ripple Of dark hair
hne as silk. But the countenance was
pale to sallowness now, and the ex-
preston one OF monotonous melancholy.
Bertha turned aside 10 window, al
last, and slipped her hand into the
pocket OF her dress. She drew forth a
dainty pearl portemounaie, and then
unclasped it. 1t was empty. Nourish'
ing diet-beef, wine-her life depends
on it now. Aud have no money
No wonder the doctor did not sus-
pect. The girl wore dainty wrapper
of rose colored cashmere. The room
was furnished IN oak aud green velvet
The hanglngs Of the bed were white a:
snow, and the invalid was wrapped in
cambric and lace. Yes, the room wa;
beautiful, and the sick woman had been
most comfortably couched and attended.
She had suffered much, and Bertha had
kept we'll the secret that their account
al the bank was overdrawn, and they
were utterly penniless. But now she
was 30 desperate In her contingency
that 1t seemed as If she must cry aloud
The inYald stirred on her pillow.
Bertha, dear, are you there -
Yes, mother
Bertha came TO the bed, and put heE
young face down beside the "rinkle'
face on the pillow.
The doctor says that 1 am .gettrnt
BETTER
Yes, dearest mother
You must not tire yosrself out SC
now. Stretch yourself here on the
bed, poor child, and have nap MAI
can wait on me-
There was a momanps silence.
Let her make me some toast, and
cup of nice tea with cream in 1t. D(
you ksow, DEAR with faint smile, :
think am actually hungry
Still Bertha did not speak.
'Aar you asleep dear BerthaT
No mamma; was only thinking
Nab had gone away she added.
did not think you needed her-only u
lwo-aud l will get your lunch,'
Nab gomez Why. Bertha, the.e is SC
much work to do. Stop, child-don'
look SO nervous and harrassed. LIZ
down and rest. i
Il must 20 on an errand. mamma
I'll not be gone over ten minutes /
Yes, nervous and harrassed the glr
looked. She tied a veil tightly over ne
face and caught up her shawl. In a.
instant she was in the street. 'oh, sli'
was hungry y she sobbed. the tear
running down her cheeks, and she
threaded several short streets. AT lag
she was IN the open thoroughlare, an'