The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-09-06
HER PAINFUL DUTY.


Through the Elusive glitter of the
warm, golden July moonlight, the last
impression that Bertha -Demorest re-
ceived was that of a tall, graceful fig
ure vanishing through the dusky gloom,
while his goodnight words fingered
pleasantly with her:
Remember, Bertha, if you are not
ut the picnic tomorrow | shall not care
fig for the whole affair. Don't forget
That you have promised me that you
will be there -
II am not in love with him." Bertha
said to herself, as, returning TO the par
lor. she sat down in the tender dusk,
letting the curls droop over one slender
hand that supported her head rs she
mused and dreamed. ..Of course | am
not in love with him." she thought,
feeling the warm blood flush to her very
temples at the word. L have only
known him month [ wonder if he
really cares so much whether or not |
90 to the picnic?"
She was a fair little girl with bright,
blonde hair and heavenly blue eyes, and
Mr.. Frank Gerome, the handsome young
attend to putting in the machinery in
the great block of mills recently erect
ed, thought her the loyeliest creature he
had ever seen in his life, and particu-
larlv this evening, as he went home
ward to the picturesque old farmhouse
where he was temporarily living, and
whose majordomo was Mrs. Cornelia
Crawford.
Cornelia Crawford and Bertha Dem
crest were both women, but there all
analogy ceased. Bertha was seventeen
-Cornelia was forty; Bertha was fresh,
fair and u maiden-Cornelia, faded and
widow
"a delightful evening. Mr.. Gerome,:''
Mrs. Crawford gaily said as he came up
the steps.
Yes" he assented.
And then Mrs. Crawford edged her
self little to one side.
won't you sit down and enjoy the
moonlight a little while?" she asked
persuasivcly.
Thanks" he said. 81 am in hur-
ry."
And rather dissatisfied with the in.
different success of her attempt ut so.
ciability, Mrs. Crawford turned to an
other of her boarders, who was sitting
inside the window.
81 suppose he prefers a cigar in his
own room to the society of ladies'" she
tcmarked.
'.But maybe he is in hurry to &C
and see Bertha Demorest. They say he
is making up to her,"
Bertha Demorestr' echoed Mrs
Crawford scornfully. 'Why, she is ;
mere child, with yellow hair and grea
big blue eyes! Nobody could see any
thing in her to admire"
"Well, you know there is no account
ing for taste. What l say is only wha
| heard, and l have heard that they ar
engaged, or next door to it,
| 81 don't believe word of it," Mrs
Crawford said energetically.
THAT is as you please.
| But whether or not Mrs. Crawford be
lieved the rumor, the tidings annoyed
her; and when Mr. Gerome had gon
out later she went upstairs, ostensibl.
in her character of boarding -hous
keeper, to see that Mr.. Gerome wa
well supplied with towels and fresh wa
ter, but really to prospect about lii
| tie.
She never looked for the good for
tune that befell her. She had though
it Just possible that Mr.. Gerome NIGH
have written or received n love-lettel
and possibly laid the torn fragment
conveniently in his te-basket.
But it was not scraps-it was an ope
letter-yes, actually an open letter o
the table, the envelope addressed to MI
Frank Gerome, and the sheet beginning
"Mv dear Frank-my dearest hu:
bandr'
As if every muscle in her body wa
suddenly changed to iron, Mrs. CraN
ford became straight and rigid in an il
stant.
''Oh, my!' she gasped. 'Don't lt
me Judge my fellow-creatures too rasl
". Let me look at the signature. Oh
dear! oh, my gracious! if it actual
isn't Your own loving wife, Julien OF
how faint it makes me! To think-t
think he is married man!
s'How thankful am | never encou1
aged his sinful attentions! Well, Be
tha Demorest will have her own bolC
ness to thank for this. | always kne
that girl would come to harm, with ht
) mouth always on a broad laugh, IL
nothing in the world but to show ht
teeth, just because they happen to
white aud regular-faIse teeth like :
not.
''Yes, it's my duty to warn that gi
my painful duty; but Cornelia Crav
ford never yet shrank from duty"
Ah, if poor little Bertha Demorest
skin had been less like a rose-petal, h'
S eyes less lovely blue, Mrs. Crawfol
: certainly would not have taken sut
fervent pleasure in performing HI
painful duty"
Bertha was all dressed for the picn
the next morning, and looking as di
tractingly pretty as only blonde ca
). look in pure white muslin, when Mr.
Crawford was shown into the room.
d ''Ah, you look very nice, Bertha; b
remember that all flesh is grass.
Eyes, know it. Did you wish
see me, Mrs. Crawford"
Eyes. Going to the picnic?"
yes" Bertha returned wonderingl
81 suppose Mr.. Gerome is to
q there?"
| II believe So"
Then don't you 60"
"Why notp" Bertha asked, arran
ing the hyacinth bells in rich bl
cluster for the waist of her dress.
E. Mrs. Crawford closely watched t
Notwithstanding cheeks.
h People say he is sweet on you' b'
tha."
= "Weu. then. people had better mi