South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1889-05-03

ached bitterly, Is In the few days that
followed, Bertha made her prepare
lions to go TO New York. She told
no one her love-s,ory. and when Ned
Haven met Lavinia q few days aft or
Mrs. Wiiton's departure, he did not
doubt her statement that Bertha Was
visiting friends in New York
After Bertha went vut 10 make her
own living, Lavipia married man
who thought her rich, and made her
believe be Was so. 1t Was the natu-
raj deceit. and the marriage Was the
beginning Of years of misery. Mar.
cia died of consumption.
In two years Mrs. Bryerson found
herself alone. for Lavinia was in u
distant city. writing often for money
to keep off starvation; Marcia was in
her grave.
And Berthap
Bertha had not found her new life
bed Of roses. The children we're
sickiy and fretful, and Mrs. Wilton
put her in sole charge Of then, show
ing her plainly that her position was
that Of q servant. though she had her
meals IN the nursery with the chill
dren. But she was brave and true to
HERSELF Many hours when the Chill.
dren were asleep, or she had made
them happy with some simple amuse-
ment. che found comfort in tue school
room piano, or the many books sue
was allowed to take from the library.
She studied in every leisure moment.
perfecting her German. French and
music, porting over history, biography
and mastering all the school books
she found most persistently to fit her.
self for position in q school.
She did not know how her beauty
was developing in her new life. Ear.
ly hours, plentiful food. the quiet OF
home, the love OF her little scholars,
the hours Of study. we're all aiding
the work of development; snd as her
figure rounded in the curves of per-
feet health, her eyes grew luminous
with deeper intellectual culture, and
her mouth took new beauty in les
sons of patience.
She had been two long years with
Mrs. Wiltony only going home to
Marcia's funeral. To Lavinias weds
ding she was not invited. One morn
ing two letters reached her-two
shocks of surprise. JOY and sorrow.
The first one she opened she kissed
before she read. And this was what
was written there:
You babe me forge. you when We
parted, and seek happiness in ano:h-
er love. I have tried to forget you
and failed. Other love l would moi
seek. But it Is only since yesterday
that knew you were with Mrs. Will
ION. have thought you visiting in
New York, the gayest of society,"
butterflies. know today how you
have been taxed, and bow nobly you
have met every duty. But oh. my
own love- my only love-will you not
reconsider those which parted us2
l am not rich, that you know. But
| can make a home OF comfort, and
nay love shall never fail you. Some
times l think that tbefe was regret in
your soft blue eyes when you babe
me farewell; sorrow in your voice
when you said my love was in vain.
Am j wrong2 All! if you loved me,
do love me. do not wrong your own
heart and my love by refusing to see
me. to listen 10 my payer. 1 will
call today at tbreo O'Clock. Ii you
will not see mel will never trouble
your life by further pleading. But IL
YOU will be my wife. may heaven
deal with me as am true 10 you.
EDWARD HAVEN
The happy tears we're not yet dry
on her cheeks, when Bertha opened
the second letter. IL was from her
aunts lawyer. Miss Eliza Bryarson
had gone 10 Italy one year before
for heal, b, aud had faIled TO find the
cure she sought for lung complaint
The letter informed Bertha that
her aunt was deal, and had left her
sc 10 heiress to her property, because
she was he only sensible one Of her
brothers family
When Edward Haven entered Mrs.
Wilion's handsome parlors, bis heart
Ihrobbed quickly aud his breath
seemed to come painfully, with true,
deep emotion.
lie had seen Bertha last in Just
such a room, standing In the light OF
a great chandelier, her grand beauty
heightened by dress Of pale blue
silk and lace. There we're flowers in
her waving golden curls, and her
bare arms and throat were adorned
With jewels.
Nov, In the soflened daylight,
coming out through curtained WIN
doWs, he saw the tall, graceful figure
in plain house dress Of inexpen.
sive material no jewels TO brighten
her fair face. no flowers in the wav
ing bands drawn back from the low,
broad brow.
Bot more precious chan jewels was
the love ligbl in the sweet blue eyes,
more beautiful than flowers that
blush upon tho soft cheek, tho smile
OF happiness upon the cbild-like lips.
lie knew bis answer before ne
whispered bis love again, and Bertha
was no longer 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