Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-12-02


wear the willow any longer for man Ike
that"
Bertha started as if she had been
/ stung.
"Who says wear the willow"
EVERYBODY. You haven't been to a
pleasure party all summer. l don't sup
pose you'n 90 to the hop next Thursday,
which / would not miss for good deal.
There's plenty that would be glad of your
company, that are as good as Phil Irving
any day"
"Your brother, Benjamin, for in
stance"
Jane colored and tossed Der head
"Well, yes. Ben thinks good deal
more of you then somebody could name,
and has been a better friend to you"
Bertha went to the hop on Thursday,
though if she had consulted her own
feelings she would have remained at
home. She went in company with Jane
and her own brother, which was not ex-
actly the programme that had been laid
out. but she went home with Benz amin,
which he considered the next best thing.
II is three weeks before Thanksgiving,
the Thanksgiving that Bertha had looked
forward TO with so many glad anticipa-
]
they can be called-are standing beneath
the lindens, whose sere and yellow leaves
are lying at their feet.
II is Bertha and Benjamin Ripley.
Il do not love you, Benjamin" said
the former, looking past her companion
/ into the moonlight, as if she saw anoth-
er face than his; mot in the way you
| love me. don't think [ shall ever love
any one in that way again. But if you
think you can be content with The calm
| friendly regard which is all / have to
give, will be your wife. Not Thanks
giving Day, though; | cannot marry YOU
on that day.
"When will you then?" pleaded the
eager man at her side. think how long
have waited"
amy day after that it does not mat
ter when"
Bertha yielded passiyely TO the warm
embrace to which she was folded, shlver-
ing a little as she felt the ardent press ure
Of the lip that touched her own.
All! how unlike another betrothal,
which seemed so far away from her now.
It is the day before the time-honored
festival, which annually brings together
so many separated families, and the cars
and boats are full of happy people, going
home for Thanksgiving"
Among those who stopped at Chenille
was bronzed and bearded man, who
looked as if he had come a long way.
1t is Philip Irving, who must have
been a great tavorite with his towns
people, TO Judge by the numerous hand
shakings he received on his way to his
| fathers house.
News in the village flies quickly, and
Bertha was not long in learning of herre-
/ creant lovers return.
/ He has come, as he said he would"
was her inward reflection, as she sought
! the solitude of her room,
! The only pleasant thing among the
bitter recollections that surged over her
was the thought that he would learn of
| her engagement to her cousin, and not
think that she was pining on account of
! his cruel and unmanly desertion.
Gnclosing the one letter she had receiv-
cd from him III an envelope, together
with brief line requesting the return Of
the two she had written him, Bertha gave
il TO her youngest brother, bidding him
give to Philip with his own hand.
That evening as Bertha was sitting be-
side Benjamin, in her fathers parlor, try
! ing to school her aching heart TO the task
| that grew more irksome every hour thai
wns spent in his society, the door was
thrown open and Philip Irving STROBE
/ in.
zone moment Bertha" he cried, AS
rising TO her feet, the indignant and as
tonished girl turned her flashing eye;
upon him. 81 have only one question &c
ask, and then, and then, if you desire it
| will never speak to you again. Is this
letter"-here he held it up before her
''the only genuine part of which is the
envelope, the only one you have receiv
ed during my absence"
"Yes.'
Il have written You half dozen! Re
ceiying IN reply this which | now believe
is forgery"
Bertha glanced at the letter that wal
handed her.
1T is forgery! l don't understand
II think I dol" interrupted Philip, turn
ing toward the conscience-stricken mar
or rather where he had been, for he nov
skunk from the room.
Hearing the clang of the closing gate
Philip only waited to hold the blushinl
and happy girl to his heart, in brief
% rapturous embrace, and then sprung afte
p him,
As Benjamin mounted the steps of hi
, store, a heavy hand was laid on hi.
shoulder, and stern voice whispered il
his ear
benjamin Ripley, if you hope to re
ceiye any mercy from me, return thos,
letters you intercepted"
p Without uttering a word, but will
hands shaking like one in an ague fit, tn,
r guilty man unlocked the private desk
e and handed Philip package of letters
s who, turning toward the door, said;
3 You are Bertha's cousin who will b,
+ my wife tomorrow evening, in spite o.
all your and your sisters plottings -anC
3 for her sake | spare you. But only OF
condition that You resign the Office
whose trust you have abused within
I twenty four hours
, 1t was a great wonder to the good poo
pie of Chenille why their postmaster $,
, suddenly resigned his Office. but Philil
E and Bertha kept their own counsel, no
caring TO add any further punishment tt
the discounted man, who, soon after
a