The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1883-07-11
FAITH REWARDED.
CHAPTER !.

"You will be back as soon az you
can, Edith? You know how dislike
being left alone" Mrs. Bertram
> spoke fretfully, and looked as if she
rather resented her daughters going
out at all. "And you will think over
what ! have said to you about DR..
Ashby? You know, my dear, some
one must make sacrifice; Pm sure
I'm willing to do anything, but what
is there helpless invalid can do? If
you would only look at the matter
from u reasonable point of view you
would not hesitate. Just think of
Blanche and Eva, what is to become Of
those poor, darling chldren?"
Edith sighed deeply; she had been
thinking Of the children all the morn
ing while teaching them their lessons
and correcting their exercises, trying
to coax Bee TO practice, and Eva to
get through her French verbs, think
Ing what a comfort it would be il
they could both be sent off TO a good
school, where they would be taught
obedience; for though she had all the
trouble, she had not the slightest con-
troll over them.
1t only seemed like playing at les
sons to have Edith for q governess,
while to her it was weary, wearing
work, added to all her other anXieties
and worries. For everything seemed
to fall on Edith's shoulders Mrs.
Rertram was q fretful, rather selfish
person, who suffered from nervous
headaches, and on the strength of
them took very little interest in the
affairs Of her sma and straitened
household, except to perpetually find
fault, and grimble at the hard fate
that had placed her in such circum-
stances.
She was pretty woman, with soft
fair hair and violet eyes, and useless
little white hands and though Edith
Bertram felt it keenly when her father
brought home young wife to the
Dingle; she did not wonder when she
looked at the pretty clinging girl who
looked little older than herself, and
seemedl so sweet, shy and amiable.
Edith was fifteen, and her step-mother
twenty-five, though she did not look
nearly so old. And just at first, things
went on smoothly enough at the Dingle.
Mrs. Bertram made no changes, and
Edith was still housekeeper, and took
care Of her father as she had done for
five years, ever since her own mother
had died. But after few months the
sweetness and shyness rubbed off, and
Mrs. Bertram exhibited sharpness OF
temper and petulance Of manner that
was anything but pleasant. The
doctor, amiable and easy-tempered to
fault, gave in to her in everything
First she had Edith's drawing-master
sent away, as she thought it mere
waste of time and money; then the
music-teacher was dismissed on thf
plea that, as Edith was not going to
be musical governess, it was absurd
TO keep on learning as she played quite
well enough already. Then Mrs
Bertram began to find fault with Jacl;
Clifford, the doctors assistant, and
made it so unpleasant for him that he
declared one day he could not stand il
any longer.
1--WE made up my mind to go to the
Cape, Edith, to make my fortune" he
said, and she could only bid him good.
bye, with tear-dimmed eyes and fal
tering voice. She could not ask him
to stay, for it did not seem like home
at the Dingle, and all her authority
was gone.
but I'll come back, Edith" Jack
added, holding both her hands. "I'l
return to you. VIII you trust me
darling, and waltz
"Yes, Jack, / will" she replied
simply. And the next day he left with
a formal farewell. Only Edith knew
what disappointment it was to Jack
and how all his hopes were blighteC
and his plans altered. The doctor has
promised to make him his partner, ans
that one day he should succeed him
but for some ineXplicable reason he
had been cold and distant of late, anC
it seemed a positive relief when Jack
was gone
Dix months at r the ball in which
DIR. Bertram had deposited the savings
of his whole life, and Edith's fortune
inherited from her mother, failed sud
denly-everything was lost, and th'
doctor never recovered the shock of it
= "If | only had Jack to stand by m'
/ might have borne it," he said, sadly
"he would have been a son to me il
my adye sity."
But Jack was gone, none knew
vhither, and Mrs. Bertram began t
mly realize that she had done fool
" thing in driving him away, for tn
doctor grew every day more feeble
and &at length was forced to sell hi
practice and house. and move into