Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-08-23

| the next morning, ana looking rs dis
tractingly pretty rs only a blonde can
look in pure white muslin, when Mrs.
Crawford was shown into the room.
"Ah, you look very nice, Bertha; but
remember that all flesh is grass
YES, | know if. Did You wish to
sec me. Mrs. Crawford"
Eyes. Going to the picnic?"
Yes" Bertha returned wonderinglv.
a suppose Mr. Gerome is to be
there?n
IL believe so"
Then don't YOU 60
"Why not?" Bertha asked arrang-
| ing the hYacinth bells in rich blue
cluster for the waist of her dress.
Mrs. Crawford closely watched the
slowly-crimsoning cheeks.
People say he is sweet on you, Ber-
tina"
"Well, then, people had better mind
their own business, Bertha flashed
back.
Bertha Demorest," Mrs. Crawford
| went on, 81 have come TO warn YOU.
Beware of that man beware of hint
"What do you mean?'
just this-Mr. Gerome is a married
man.
what utter nonsense,n Bertha cried,
angrily and incredulously
at is not nonsense, and | know it, -
Mrs Crawford said. Il have seen
letter from his wife-do YOU hear that,
Bertha Demorest2 from his wife, writ
ten to him.
IBID he show it to you?'
Slightly discounted, Mrs. Crawford
@as yet not to be routed.
'No matter about that 1t is enough
that saw the letter. And, Bertha, as
it is my duty to warn YOU, so il is your
duty, and the duty of all young people
like you and me, to punish his falschood
and deceit
mir. Gerome is nothing TO me,
Bertha said. Good morning, Mrs.
Crawford! You win have to excuse me;
am rather in a hurry"
And when Mrs. Crawford was gone.
she locked her door and sat down and
cried until her sweet face looked like a
drenched flower.
"And | thought he was so true, so
grand, so good" she sobbed. "Oh,
how could he-how could he deceive
me 50 wickedly?'
Miss Demorest was not ut the picnic
that day, and Frank Geromc searched
| about the grounds until it was quite too
late for any possibility of her arrival.
| and then went to see VIVA: bad changed
her resolution of the night before, and
found her looking very cold, and white,
and lovely, as she sat alone ON the ter
race.
Bertha he exclaimed reproachful-
~, you promised me faithfully you
would be at the picnic, and | find you
| here. Why did you-n
"My name is Miss Demorest," she
said haughtily.
Gerome bit his lip.
Miss Demorest, if it pleases you
better he said with half smile at
girlish dignity, "why did you deceive
| me so?''
"Why have l deceived you!n Ber-
tina flashed; "why have you deceived
| me?"
II don 1 understand what you mean. y
! at strikes me YOU are remarkably
! difficult of comprehension. However,
| / will put the question to YOU as plain
| ly rs possible. Mr., Gerome, why have
you never spoken to me about your
| wife?n
"For a very good reason. / wouldn't
be apt to speak about what | haven t
got"
"You are telling me deliberate false
hood You are married man, and you
have been playing treacherous part
all this while.
"a married MANI he said, his voice
thrilling with incredulousness; "you
are talking in conundrumS. ] am not
q married man, and ! have been play
ing no treacherous part-to you, least
of all, Bertha, my little golden-haired
darling.
And then what did Bertha do but
begin to cry in the most undignihed
fashion.
Then what did Mrs. Crawford
mean?" she demanded.
Gerome set his lips tightly together.
'Ah! Mrs. Crawford has been talking,
has she2 What did she say?'
THAT you were married "
"She must have been crazy between
spite and ill-nature, Gerome eXclaim-
ed angrily; Il shall not allow hertongue
to wag after this fashion. Bertha, will
YOU walk down there with me?"
As q consequence of this invitation,
Mrs. Crawford was considerably start
led by the appearance If Mr.. Gerome
and Miss Demorest, as she sat darning
the household linen in the dining room,
and secretly bewailing that no one had
invited her to the picnic.
Mrs Crawford Gerome said alb
ruptly, as he entered the room, "what
is this story you have been telling Miss
Demorest about me?o
Il told Mis- Demorest no story; ]
told her only the truth
What is the truth then? Suppose
you tell me?"
That you're q married man, viii
lain, deceiyer! There now!"
Eyes? Show your proof, if you
please, Gerome requested calmly.
II can do it. A letter from your own
wife upstairs, in your own room, on
your table. "
"a letter directed TO mep"