Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1881-02-23
with innocent. wondering looks.

with innocent, wondering looks.
ri give her the drops at 4 o'clock" said
the old woman, and she ain t made no fuss
since. I wouldn't disturb her, cause there
amt nothin' so refreshin' for sick folks as
sleep"
''Sleep" echoed DR.. Tracy, bending to
examine the averted face; my good soul
she's dead!
Dead shrieked the old woman, rush
ing across the foor--"dead! Come away,
child, quick"
The little creature slid to the ground with
composure strangely at variance with her
age, and stood alternately eying her COM
panions
Il hope, doctor, you'll see I don't lose
nothin' by the expense I've been TO, 'whlned
Mrs Hopper. Sim a lone widder woman,
and"
And the biggest harpy i'll the country"
added DR.. Tracy II knew that when had
this poor creature brought here when I
found her dying by the roadside night be-
fore last; but couldn't very we'll help my
SELF Don't be alarmed, Mrs. Hopper: you
shall not he sufferer. But aboutthe little
girl; / really don't know what to do.
He hesitated an instant, mechanically
smoothing the fleecy, yellow curls of the
little girl.
Il suppose, he said, nodding toward the
bed, "she left no money or valuablos of any
kind?"
"Not bit Of it, sir, for
But the child stepped forward, fragile
bit Of thing, but erect and resolute.
What did you do with that little bag you
took off Nurse Nina's neck?" she asked.
"Bag?" stammered the COMPOUNDED wo-
man.
Eyes you, took it off her neck last night
when you thought was asleep"
The child is dreaming" said Mrs Hop
per, turning red and white.
But do not think she is, said the doc
tor, quietly and firmly. Give her the bag
Mrs. Hopper"
Il 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 it lay small, red, leather
bag drawn up by tarnised gilt cord.
THAT is my bag said the child, holding
ont her small hand.
eyes, but had I not better keep it FOR you?
And, little one, perhaps I shall take you
home with me tonight. 1t is not we'll that
you should stay in the house with DEATH"
II am not afraid of death, said the child,
gravely. II saw my uncle Paola die.
'Who?" demanded DR.. Tracy, turning
suddenly around.
MY Uncle Paola.'
And what is your name?"
Bertha Petroni."
Dr. Tracys heart seemed to stand still
Come here, my child he ts;I said, IN a
| that lies dead here?"
''lIy Nurse Nina"
And how did she come here?"
A puzzled expression came over the
grave little girl.
II don't know, sir; she came to look fer
some one--I don't know who
How old are you, Bertha?"
II am years old.
Dr.. Tracy opened the little leather bag;
it contained a yellow letter, worn through
all the edges, and signed Helen Petroni.'
slender chain of gold. and a tiny ring set
with turquoiscs He closed it again, feel
ing like one who has unexpectedly enco,n-
tered 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 grooming on the
threshold.
pressive silence when they were about half
way home, you are m orphan.
Yes" said little Bertha, simply.
''Do you remember nothing of your
mammal,
''Mammn," repeated the child, vaguely.
My mamnla-no: never had a mamma"
Wouldn't yon like to have one?''
'I-don t-know," hesitated Bertha II
don't know how it would seem to have one"
It was intensely dark when they drove up
to the doctors house, but the lights shown
like cheerful beacons, and Helen was in the
hall to greet him.
My love- he said, standing on the
threshold, 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 ofsepalntion;
and in the tiny embrace that embodied her
tiny form poor little Bertha Pctroni first
learned "how it would SEEM to have 4
mother.
well, sniG Dr. Tracy. smiling through
q dimness in his sight, if were an infidel,
might say fate had done this AS am
not, will venture to assert that the hand Of
Providence has led US most miraculously
through this long labyrinth of years.
jackson Daily Patriot.
Happy Friends.
Rev. F. NJ. Winburne, Pastor M. E.
Church. MeXia. Texas. writes as follows: