The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-09-21

library. She studied in every leisure
moment, perfecting her German, French
and music, poring over history, biogra-
ply, and mastering all the school books
she found most persstently to fit her
self for position in school.
She did not know how her beauty
was developing in her new life. Early
hours, plentiful food, the quiet of home,
the love of her little scholars, the hours
of study, were all aiding the work of
development and as her figure rounded
in the curves of perfect health, her eyes
grew luminous with deeper intellectual
culture, and her mouth took new beauty
in lessons of patience.
She had been two long years with
Mrs. Wilton, only going home to Mar
GAS funeral. To Lavinia's wedding
she was not invited. One morning two
letters reached her-two shocks of sur
prise, sorrow and joy.
The first she opened she kissed be-
fore she read. And this was what was
written there:
"You bade me to forget you when
we parted, and seek happiness in
another love. | have tried to forget
you and failed. Other love l would
not seek. But it is only since yester-
day that knew you were with Mrs.
Wilton. | have thought OF you visiting
in New York, the gayest of society's
butterflies. | know to-day how you
have been taxed, and how nobly you
have met every duty. But, oh, my
own love-my only love-wil you not
reconsider those words that parted us2
| am not rich that you know. But l
can make home of comfort, and my
love shall never fail you. Sometimes l
think that there was regret in your soft
blue eyes when you babe me farewell
sorrow in your voice when you said my
love was vain. Am wrong2 If you
love me do not wrong your own heart
or my love by refusing to see me, to
listen to my prayer. l will call to-day
at three O'Clock. If you will not see
me, will never trouble your life by
further pleading. But if you will be
my wife, may heaven deal with me as |
am true to you. EDWARD HAVEN"
The happy tears were not yet dry
upon her cheeks when Bertha opened
the second letter. 1t was from her
aunt's lawyer. Miss Eliza Bryerson
had gone to Italy one year before for
her health, and had failed to find the
cure she sought for lung complaint.
The letter informed Bertha that her
aunt was dead, and had left her sole
heiress to her property, because "she
was the only sensible member of her
brothers family"
When Edward Haven entered Mrs.
Wilton's handsome parlors his heart
throbbed quickly and his breath seemed
to come painfully with true deep emo
ton.
He had seen Bertha last in just such
room, standing in the light of a great
chandelier, her grand beauty heightened
by dress of pale blue silk and white
lace. There were flowers in her waving
golden curls, and her bare arms and
throat were adorned with jewels.
Now. in the softened daylight, COM
ing in through curtaIned windows, he
saw the tall, graceful figure in a simple
house dress of inexpensive material, no
flowers in the waving hair drawn back
from the low, broad brow.
But more precious than jewels was
the lovellght in the sweet blues eyes,
more beautiful than flowers that blush
upon the soft cheek, the smile of hap
piness upon the chldlike lips.
He knew his answer before he whis-
pered his love again, and Bertha no
longer was afraid to let her love be
known.
There is no dash or extravaganza in
the home over which Bertha Haven
presideS at N. Her husbands
happiness and comfort are her study,
and there is ever ample hospitality to
friends. Many liberal checks Lavinia
finds in her sisters letters, and Mrs.
Bryerson has happy home.
But nothing is sacrificed to "appear-
ances," for as things appear in the we'll
ordered household, SO they are.-Meao
| York LEDGER.