San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-08-11
BERTHA'S ROMANCE.

NJ Max was not an old man. In fact he
was but q, though public opinion, influenced
by his great learning perhaps, or his hair,
silvered by nobody knew what bitter eXper-
fence, gave him credit for at least another
score.
Nor was he beauty except in the eyes Of
Bertha CLAY ton. to whom the STOPPING Shout
seTs, the brown face in its frame OF iron
gray the kind, dark ewes, and the patient,
tender smile, were fairer than would have
been Apollo himself had he visited her.
Bertha was an orphan, possessed of wealth
mated as millions" the care of which so
engrOSSed her guardian and halt-brOther, q
New York merchant that his little sister
was left to the supervision of Aunt Letltia.
Bertha did not get on well with her COVER
neSses.
In her own opinion she got on much better
without them. Each new installation was
followed by rebellion, revolution, expulsion,
and anarchy, until Aunt Letitia, in despair,
had recourse to VI. Max.
MOnsieuTs influence over the spoiled and
willful heireSs was truly marvellous, and yet
his most severe reprOOf was no worse than
Zone does not do so in Paris, mademOiselle."
All day they were together, studying, work.
ing in the garden, or absent upon long expe-
ditiOns after specimens. Surely If monsieur
had been ambitious or villain the field for
his energies was broad.
Years passed away in this manner and
Bertha grew up into beauty and grace
which might have tempted any man to win
her for her own, even If she had been penni-
less; yet still Aunt Letitia dOZed and knit,
quite unconscious of any possible peril TO
anybody.
Berthas 18th birthday was now approach
ing, upon which she was to make her debut
in such society as the countryside afforded.
But, though entering the world, she was by
no means to part with NJ. Max. He had
promised TO go abroad with them and there
conduct his pupil through a course of operas,
museums and picture galleries.
At the birthday party, however, monsieur
obstinately refused to be present. though he
her in her ball costume with its proudly dis
played trained skirt and he brought with
him an exquisite bOquet, purely white.
he did not go to the grove next morning,
but he sent a note to Aunt Letitia saying
that trouble of a family nature, into which
he was not at liberty TO enter, demanded his
immediate attention. He was pierced to the
sOul-ah poor M. Max -thus suddenly to
leave the place where he had been so happy.
Ten years. The time seems short enough
as one reads them; but when they must be
lived through, moment by moment 1t is O
very different matter. Yet NJ. Max lived on
for ten years before he saw his pupils face
again.
Upon leaving her he had gone west and in
a little town not far from one of the great
lakes he had set up his modest household
goods. But pupi were slow to come and he
needed work to deaden the cry of his longing
heart The innocent winged life of the in
sect world has always been his delight To
this he turned for comfort in his hour OF
trouble. The result of his observations was
well received by the scientific world and M.
Max found himself in a fair way to become
famous; and, as a principal result Of his
growing celebrity, was offered a professors
chair in recently founded neighbOring col
lege, which lie accepted.
Summer had come again, the tenth summer
since he has last seen her, when he stepped
on board the steamer that was to convey him
within few miles of his old quarters. The
sun had set; there was only flood of golden
glory. 1t fell in long, cleaning track upon
the beautiful bay and tinged the sable robes
OF one who sat gazing wistfully toward the
golden west.
ut is She" said NJ. Max.
A little girl played at her side under the
care of nurse.
"Her child Her very image? 1t is enoughP
he muttered.
feel disappointed? He turned and approach
ed her to find that her eyes had already dis
cemed him. His limbs trembled, and flood
of dark crimson rushed TO his brow; but
Bertha's beautiful face was quite untroubled
and she held out her hand with tranquil
smile.
but had almost sent Martha to recall to
monsieur's recollection his little pupil, SO
wicked and troublesome"
He bowed silently over the white fingers,
not venturing this time to press them to his
lips. Bertha made room for him beside her
and continued speaking without seeming to
notice his lack of reply. Only once did she
falter, and that was when monsieur, having
recovered the power of speech, used 1t to ad-
dress her as madame"