Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1883-06-16

j. -
"She is the most arrant Of little
coquettes, that Bertha Hansing," she
said. "My cousin has quite spoil d
her, and SO. indeed has the Fraulein
Estorf. But she is a good girl, never.
theless, and don't won3er that her
mother is so,proud of her." T.
"Whgre is this Fraulein Estorf?" ]
inquired.
al will introduce you Tomorrow.
She, is not nearly 80 pretty, in my.
opinion, as little Bertha she added,
lightly, "butthen she is an heiress.
and confess that were I not so Ger
tain of your not being of a mercenary
nature, should De afraid to expose
you to such a temptation. As it is, ]
shall insist upon your bringing your
friend, since you describe him as sc
hand ONE ald fascinating. That will
deprive you Of all chance of making
an impression upon the heiress," she
concluded, mischievously. ga :.
On taking leave, Julia and Madame
Estorf's nephew, a youth on vaca-
tiOn visit, accompanied me on a pri,
vate path through the grounds. The
scenery was Lovely and the view from
the highest point Of theshaded terrace.
way fine beyond description, and so l
told Traverse on my return to the
hotel. = ~
81 viii accompany you tomorrow
as far as that point" he said, "as it
may add subject to myportfolio; but
/ must decline the madame's hOspit-
able invitation. To tell you the truth,
Elliott. l don't dare expose myself to
the possibility of again meeting Bertha
Hansing."
I rather approved of the resolution;
so on the following daylwe left our con-
veyance at the entrance to the grounds
and proceeded along the terraced path
way toward the chateau. At the point
of view already mentioned was little
round, open pavilion. upon reaching
which, imagine our surprise to behold
seated there, in a comfortable wheel ID
chair. old Madame Estorf, and by her
side our landlady's daughter, the fair
Bertha, reading to the old lady from a
French novel.
1t was too late to retreat; so we
came forward with all possible dignity,
and formally presented my friend to
madame, who, in her turn. quietly re-
marked: 81 think you and Bertha have
met before"
Bertha blushed to her fair temples,
but glanced up with a demure, half
roguish smile. Even to NE she looked
more charming than ever, Icing dressed
more richly and becomingly than L had
yet seen her.
"This is a favorite haunt of ours"
exp.a ned the old lady. "But the sun
is getting uncomfortably warm, and it
lis high time that Peter should come Tor
me-"
Peter did presently appear, and as he
leisure.y wheeled his mistress home
ward, walked by her side, leaving
Traverse and Bertha to follow.
On arriving at the chateau, madame.
accompanied by her companion, went
away to attend to her toilet, she said,
and Traverse and L were for few
moments left alone in the saloon.
"lt is all up with me, Elliott" he
said, in low voire, but with singular
firmness. "It is an unworthy pride,
after all, which would lead man to
sacrifice the woman he loves to
aristocratic prejudice. l now know
that l do really love Bertha; and if
she will have me 1 will marry her.
She is perfect lady in all but birth"
It was no time for remonstrance.
Julia's step was in the hall. and after
ward Madame Estorf again made her
appearance, arrdyed en- grand toilet
for dinner.
"Shall we see the Fraulein Hansing
again?' l ventured to whisper to
Julia, but madame's quick ear lad
caught the question.
"The Fraulein lansing will not ap-
pear at dinner" she said, quietly /;
"but 1 will introduce you to my grand
daughter, Fraultin Est0rf. All, here
she is, in good timer
A graz eful, elegant girl, richly
dressed in silk and la e. stood in the
doorway. Could it he possible? This
young lady was certainly our landlady's
daughter. There were thesame regular
features, the same roguish eyes, though
her manner was now one of more
stately dignity.
Traverse stood as if petrified. But
the young lady came forward and
offered her hand to both of us, aith a
charming air of archness and grace.
"You have known me before as your
landlady s daughter" she said. "That
was your own fault in the first in
stance and not nine. I am Bertha
Estorf." ,s
1t did not take long to explain ne