Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-11-02
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BERTHA DALTON's TRIUMPH.
THE HISTORY OF AN OPAL RING
[Ooniinaed.l

[ContiaHed.l
81 don't suppose 1 snail ever Jnink
that" Bertha observed; "but am sad
ly troubled. don't mind confessing to
you that what you say agrees with my
And yet 1 shall not dare to say anything
to mamma or Lena without some sure
ground to go upon; they would deem it
simply nothing but my own prejudice"
'Say rather your own pure instincts" /"
Douglas returned. II verify believe
there are women who through their
very goodness instinctively discern
what is evil.n He paused awhile, SEEM
ingly in consideration. "Will you make
me promise, Miss Dalton" he said at
last. "Will you let me know when this
marriage is fixed to take placew
~ will certainly. ! am sure you have
some good reason, or you would not
have asked it. Oh, Mr.. Douglas, you
have made me very unhappy" she cried,
the tears springing to her eyes.
"When / would lay down my life to
make you happyl" the young man ex-
claimed, vehemently.
Bertha had been leaning against the
piano, her head upon her hand; she
looked up, startled. as he spoke.
do you not believe mep" he cried,
his voice full of the tenderness that
filed his heart. ''You may need pro-
tector; take me for your protector
your husbandl Oh, Bertha, l love you
so dearlyl There is no happiness in the
world but near you"
llNo,, lo,,o -. ct33 co.I Darkla H.. oeko,,
ishment, and looking at the bright,
handsome face before her, as if to as
sure herself that she had heard Alright.
"Oh, am so s0rry!"
''Sorryl" exclaimed Douglas, his
cheeks blanching, as a chill of disap-
pOintment crept over him. us it that
you cannot like me little then, Ber-
thar"
'Oh, yes, like you very much in
deed," admitted Bertha, hurriedly,
grieved at the pain she had given, ''only
not in that way-not in the way you
mean"
"Have been too precipitate-too
prematlre?" asked Douglas. Would
you have given me different answer If
/ had waited longer? My dear, 1 love
you SO fondly. Is there no hope for
me?" ~
Bertha shook her head sadly.
II am so grieved," she said, tears
quivering on her eyelashes. But time
would make no difference. Perhaps /
ought to have known; but never
thought of this. hoped we were
friends"
''Friends!' Douglas repeated, his
voice trembling with agitation. ''Did
you think l could be with you so much,
and know you SO we'll. and not love you
with more than friendship? Give me
time-let me try to win; or perhaps 1
have no right to ask" he continued,
turning very pale as he watched her
flushed cheeks and quivering lips. rs
there some one else who" He did
not finish his sentence; he was alarmed
by a choking sob from Bertha, who
buried her face in her hands, and burst
into an agony Of tears. lDl,
Forgive me-oh, forgive me!'' Doug
las cried. 'sI am behaving like selfish
brute. l would give my hearts best
blood to save you moments grief, and
am causing you only suffering" He
shaded his face with his hand-tears
were standing in his honest blue eyes,
and he did not wish her to see how
much he was panied. II had built a
beautiful little castle, he resumed, as
soon as he could steady his voice, ''but
it has vanished into air." He sighed
deeply, and then went on-"I will not
vex you. l begin to see now how 1
have been mistaken"
"Indeed-indeed it is not that I do
not esteem you," Bertha said, in the
midst of her tears, as she held out her
hand; .but-" She stopped, the burn
ing color rushing to cheeks and brow
'D0 not say word more," Douglas
requested, pressing the hand she had
given him in both Of his. II ought to
have known-I have myself to blame.
/ do not pretend to say that don't feel
this bitterly now, for 1 had hoped"
He broke down again for while, and
then continued Pray do not make
yourself unhappy about me. If you will
not have me for husband. you shall
have me for d brother. Some day or
other shall come back, when / can be
satisfied with the regard you can give
me. Only trust me. Do not look cold
ly upon mel could not bear that. I
will not presume again"
II do trust you in everything" said
Bertha, struggling to recover compos-
ure. IF you could only read my heart
you would see how thoroughly trust
you. I am so grieved that I should
have been so blind, SO self lf-absorbed. 1
ought to have spared you this pair.'
''Do not let that thought vex you y
returned Douglas. SIT is better that
we should quite understand each other
better for me, don't you see? have
been but an idle. harurn- -scarum sort Of
a fellow--not half good enough for you,
Iknow--only if you could have loved
me- Well, never mind,n he broke
off, dashing his hand across his eyes
4'I'm a better man for my love for you.
For worlds I wouldn't have missed
making. your acquaintance, Bertha
you will let me call you so, will you
not? ! shall think more highly Of all
humankind for your sweet sake. Heav-
en- bless youl'' fsp
He rose as he said these words. Ber-
tina still wept and trembled.
After one heavy, irrepressible sigh
one fervent hand-clasp-one lingering
look, he went away, a hero at that mo-
mentt, with q strong purpose at his
heart.
CHAPTER Xxx.
After Douglas left. Bertha rushed up
to her own room, and, locking the door,
threw herself, on her knees by the bed,
burying her face. Her breast was
heaving with sobs. She was grieved,
-heart-stricken in more ways than one.
She recognized now little tokens, straws
that showed which way the wind blew,
which ought to have opened her eyes as