The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1881-02-15

kpees pale and brcathless.
She could hear tho murmur of
voices In the death chamber, and
dreading she knew not wha., she
listened and waited.
And III tho room beyond Sorhy
Ames heard the confession that filed
her with cruel hope and exeltstion.
Alberta hss been the dearest OF
daughters TO me, aud could not die
and know that some nnkind and
strange lips might tell hsf the story
Of her birth. But you Sophy, when
am gone, will tell her gently. Her
mother was French girl-ny maid.
that had believed 10 be as good in
all things as she had been faithful a. a
servant. She died when Berthe was
an hour old. / loved the little name
less thing, and SO adopted IL. of
course, Sophy you, as my nearest kin,
will inherit all my wealth. But II ia
NV wish that you share II equally
with her.
Aud with Bertic's name last ON het
lips. the woman gasped and died and
Sophy Ames was an heiress, and
Guy Wescote's beautiful promised
bride was utterly in her power.
Il will call the poor girls" she said
to the physician, In a voice grown so
suddenly cold aud soulIess that be
gascd at her in surprise. isS Z
She swept into the chamber where
BERTHE, still on her knees, listened
and waited. s-
She bent over her, her hand
clenched as II to keep back the truth
less hate in her naughty, flaming eyes
and low, deceptive tones.
"Beriie, be brave, for have some
thing 10 tellyou had better know at
once. But you are not TO DO turned
away nsIneiess and penniless; re-
member that Bertie."
aOh, 6ophyi I can't understand
you" moancd BERTH.
my poor aunt Is dead,o continued
tho cruel girl, with deliberate accents
aud gane OF naughty superiority.
"Shc desired me TO tell you the story
Of your birth, and yet ! think you
must have suspected il. Yo are not
q Shcldon--you are not her daught.
err" asee
Then who and what am I? 2,
grosned the unhappy girl.
"Yeur psreh,agc is bad, BERTHE,
answered her tormcntor, slowly aud
pitilessly repeating the very words
that Guy Westcote had spoken al
hour before, 1T is best tor you-..s
know the worst now. dcar--you real
lie that OF course. Your position Il
changed, certainly butss my aunt's
heir at law, shall desire you to stay
with me, and shall Try to Gil bel
place"
leave me--leave me! can beal
no morsl" was Bertie's passionate
appeal.
The obseqaies were over; and ID
the great desolate house, Berthe wep
and pined, aud fretted against hei
destiny until her soul was sore.
With the naughty eyes Of the new
heiress upon her, Der position was
Z unbeaIably full of humiliation.
Il Gay Wescote had never come L
her In her sorrow, nor had she heart
from him one word OF coincidence.
She knew inslinctiyely what Soph,
would have her believe about he
lover, and the girls way aud unkint
illusions almost drove her mad.
And yet she longed to lay her tiret
J head GU his bosom, to grow calu
again beneath his words Of comfort
and hear him say once more that sh'
.'was all he could desire; that HI
would love her alwaysn "a
She came into the parlor one day
aud found Sophy bending over |
lovely bouquet of the tube roses ant
lilies OF the valley. fsf+
"Oh, how beautiful!D cried Berti
impulsively.
!, "They came with Guys compli
ments," was Sophy,s Significant reply
"For you 2" nurmured Bertio, he
/, white rose face full Of amaze an,
!, grief.
ibid you expect anything differ
entf" asked the new heiress. shay
: YOU forgotten almost tho last word
: Of my--my--frlend z
Berthe, heart-oroken, and tried In
: measurably, answered the girl q
length as shc deserved,
"Sophy," she said, "yonr name
: and hesitation imply that Mr.. Yves
cote has become something more tina
= o friend TO you. If he 10 indeed
! tickle and sordid as you wish me
believe, you need not fear any n
!, monstrance from me, for ! shout
9 only dispise yon both."
n Without waiting for the reply, Oh
! turned TO leave the room.
2 snGuy know me first, Berthe" WI
! the, answer hurled after her by Il
= sweetest, most triumphant of voice
y Berthe did not heed, but passed I'M
3 the ball. 81.