Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-06-28
.4t.-s fisl r. Jy,.l i-atss
The Power Of Love.

44i7.'t +ti-sF - 81 4+ss.s7t
''Do you love me as much to- day,
Bertrace, as you did last Friday ?"
These were the concluding words OF
letter which HOulihan, a fair, grac eful
girl of 10, held in her hand, on one fin
ger of which sparkled a diamond ring
the pledge of Herbert Hanifin that he
would love and cherish her forever.
"What dear, silly old boy he is, to
be sure" Rertrace said to herself, and
merry laugh rippled through her pearly
teeth and flowed gracefully out over
the ripe, red lips that seemed made only
for kissing, although there was dark
stories afloat in the Houlihan house
hold that when the dried beef jar was
found empty one day Bertrace had only
smiled in her languid, imperial way
and said something about trying to
keep up With the procession If it took
all the dried beef in town.
Her parents were rich but honest,
and loved their only daughter with q
mad, trusting, passionate love that
knew no bounds. Her every wish was
law, and yet, knowing this, she would
often shrink from letting her wants be
known, so retiring was her nature.
Once Mrs. Houlihan discovered Bertrace
standing beside marble Psyche that
ornamented the parlor bay window
and silently weeping.
"What is the matter, my child" said
the mother, coming to her daughters
side, and kissing her tenderly. Can
you not trust me with your grief?"
Eyes, mammal said the girl, looking
bright smile illuminated her counter
ha oh int dr,ri q
shower, II have always trusted you.
blushing deeply, she hid her face in her
mothers bosom.
From that moment they understood
each other perfectly. It was a beauti-
full picture to see them together in the
house, more like sisters than mother
and daughter. Their lives knew no
shadow, and they held up old Mr..
Houlihan for whatever they wanted in
the way of clothes. There were no 9th
er children. Bertrace had the track all
to herself.
She had met Herbert Hanifin at a! fail
held under the auspices Of the United
italian Benevolent Society, and loved
him deeply. They were to be married
in the fall. 1t would save coal, Mr.
Houlihan said, but Bertrace only laugh
ed'a little, light three for ten cents laugh
and said her darling papa was quite TOT
awfully quite.
j It was July. From a eloudless SIX,
the sun beat down with pitiless fury up
on railroad. Near by was grove
from whence proceeded sounds of laugh
! ter. A train stood on siding. Thre
brakemen were asleep in the front cal
This train had brought the excursionist
to the grove. 1t was waiting to tax
them back. Come with me to the grove
Bertrace Houlihan is the center of
merry group. In her hand che holds
custard pie. Some one calls. She place
the pie on chair, and turns to see VIVA
is wanted Herbert Hanifn joins tn
|. party. II am tired" he says and sit
down in the chair. Instinctively h
feels that mistake has been made. 81
it is discovered" he says to himself, IS
shall be overwhelmed with ridicule. an
lose Bertrace. She could never love
man with custard pie On his pants"
:. Bertrace again joined the party an
I greeted Herbert affectionately She We
about to ask for the pie when a loo
from Herbert told her all. "Would
betray him for paltry pie ?" she mul
E INJURED. mo, not for whole bakery.
Herbert was saved.
Such is the power of Chica9
Tribune.