Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1881-06-11
the Power OF Love.
Chicago Tribune.

ssDO YOU love me as much to-day,
Bertrace, as you did last Friday ~
These were the concluding words
of d letter which Bertrace HOull-
han. fair, graceful girl of 10, held
in her hand, on one finger of which
sparkIed diamond ring-the
pledge of Herbert Hanafin that he
would love and cherish her forev-
er.
"What a dear, silly old boy he is,
to be sure" Bertrace said to herself,
and merry laugh rippled through
her pearly teeth and flowed grace
fully out over the ripe, red lips that
seemed made only for kissing, al
though there were dark stories
afioat i'm the Houlihan household
then when the dried-beef jar was
found empty one day Bertrace had
only smiled in her languid, imperi-
al way and said something about
trying to keep up with the process
ion if it took ali the dried beef in
town.
Her parents were not rich but
honest, and loved their only daugh-
ter with mad, trusting, passion
ate love that knew no bounds. Hel
every wish was law, and yet, know
ing this, she would often SHRINK
from letting her wants be known
so retiring was her nature. Once
Mrs. HOulihan discovered BertracS
standing beside a marble Phych'
that Ornamented the parlor bay
window, and silently weeping.
stWhat is the matter, my child
said the mother, coming to he
daughters side, and kissing he
tenderly. "CAn you not trust m
with your grief? '
tsYes, mamma" said the girl
looking at her with tear-staine'
nose, while a bright smile illu
mined her eountenance, like tn
sun shining during a shower. .
have always trusted you. 4 wan
= a pair of striped stocking"
4 blushing deeply, she hid her fac
n In her mothers bosom.
From that moment they under
stood each other perfectly. 1t wa
= a beautiful picture to see them K
t gether in the house, more like ST
! fers than mother and daughte
Their lives knew no shadow, an
u they held up old Mr.. HOulihan Il
e whatever they wanted in the wa
: of clothes. There were no other chi
r dren, Bertrace had the track all
o. herself.
< She had met Herbert Hanatin {
e fair held under the auspices
e the United Italian Benevolent ;
: ciety, and loved him deepl
They were to be married in the ia
; 1t would save coal, Mr.. HOulihf
q said, but Bertrace only laughed
e little, light, sunny, three-fOr-te
k cents laugh, and said her darliI
/ papa was quite too awfully quiet.
), IT was July. sFrom a cloudle
t sky. the sun beat down with pl
d less fury upon a railroad. Near
n was a grove, from whence procee
ed sounds of laughter. A ira
stood on a siding. Three break
a men were asleep in the front ca
N This train had brought the excu
,r sionists to the grove. 1t was wa
- inc to take them back. Come wi
~ me to the grove. Bertra"e Hou
ID han is the center OF a merry grou
of In her hands she holds custa
y. pie. Some one calls. She pla(
: the pie on chair, and turns to
" what is wanted. Herbert ILanai
s. Joins the party. 81 am tired, /"
be saws, and sits down in the cha
as InstinctiVely he feels that a III
take has been made. eff 1t IS q
IL covered" he says to himself,
On shall be overwhelmed with ridic'
nd and lose Rertrace, She could M
so or love a man with custard-pie
FL his pants"
VI Bertrace again joined the pal
N. and greeted Herbert affectionate
h, She was about to ask for the
when look from Herbert told
oil all. "Would l betray him fol
paltry pie? she murmered. -
on not for a whole bakery"
Eat Herbert was saved.
de Such is the power of love-