Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1890-03-15

leSSly nylng ffOm one race TO announcer
as if in search Of one that never came,
while his parched tongue constantly
formed the word Bertha" gently and
pleadingly spoken as long as his
strength permitted him to utter it.
Then, as he became weaker, only a
half-articulate murmer greeted the ears
Of the anxious watchers who bent
above him.
"Who is Bertha? ?" the physician at
last asked the weeping, gray haired
mother who had come from distant
city to care for her only son. ave
must find her. | have done all | can
do for his body, but only her coming
can relieve the mind" And, he added,
softly, "she must come soon."
of l only knew" the mother an
swered chow | would fly to her! 1t is
breaking my heart to face those eager,
longing eyes but / do not know.
Among my boys papers are several
notes signed Bertha but no other
name is given, and all are dated
Home Oh, doctor, it is hard to know
a woman holds my beautiful boys life
in her hands, and [ cannot even plead
with her for it !" And with a passionate
gesture she turned away.
At the Office, things went on as
usual. Weaver noticed Franks desk
remained vacant, but said to himself,
when the clerks spoke of his illness
"Men don't die of broken hearts,
and he will recover cured of his fancy"
He could not, however, bring him.
self to destroy the stolen letter, but
when alone constantly took it from his
pocket and glanced at it.
One day, while doing 50, Mr.. Wade
suddenly entered the room. Hastily
slipping thunder pile of bills, Weaver
looked up.
"Mr. Weaver" his employer said,
"let me come to your desk. | want to
glance over Franks papers. | am
afraid the poor boy himself will never
do that again. Sad, isn't it?" And
Mr.. Wade's kindly voice grew husky.
"Is it so bad as that sir ?" Weaver
murmured, while deadly faintness
seized him.
80 bad as that, l fear" Mr.. Wade
answered, mechanically taking up Il
pile of papers and running over them.
Suddenly he exclaimed:
What's this "a letter written by
Frank himself, and never sent p
The pity that a moment ago had
filled Weaver suddenly vanished, and
a fierce desire to escape detection had
taken its place.
"Why, yes" he said Il remember
Frank intended to invite Miss Wiley
to the opera for Thursday but changed
his mind, and | suppose did not send
the letter. However, | am going down
to inquire after him at noon, and if
you will give me the letter, Eli leave it
with his mother"
eyes, yes assented Mr.. Wade,
chats good idea"
But he still held it in his hand,
while Weaver could hardly retain his
desire to snatch it away.
eff l get the cursed thing in my
own hand once" he thought, at will
never be seen again"
Just then Jimmy entered. Catch
ing sight of the letter in Mr.. Wade's
hand, he exclaimed:
"Why, Mr.. Weaver, you didn't mail
that letter that day p
Weaver turned pale.
"You don't know what you are talk
ing about" he said, as Mr.. Wade
glanced up inquiringly.
eyes, / do" Jimmy persisted;
"that's the letter Mr.. Hepburn gave me
to mail the day before he got sick.
Do you remember Of his saying that
little cross was a secret society sign?''
"Why didn't you mail it, Jimmy ?"
Mr.. Wade interrupted, sternly.
"Why, sir, on my way to the office,
Mr.. Weaver took it from me, and said
he'd mail it himself
Jimmy had taken the letter from
Mr.. Wade's hand, and turning it over,
exclaimed:
cts open now p
There was no need to question
Weaver the look of bitter hatred he
turned on Jimmy told his guilt more
than any words.
"Mr. Weaver, | am sorry for this,
Mr.. Wade said, simply, and left the
room.
His heart was very tender toward
the poor boy he had seen that morning
tossing restlessly from side to side, and
still trying to murmur Bertha"
"The name is the same he common
ted. "I'Il take her the note and ex-
plain its delay. There may be con-
nection between this and his brain
fever God grant there is
Hurriedly calling a cab, he drove to
the address on the envelope, and was
soon greeted by young lady who re-
sponded to the inquiry for miss
Bertha Wiley"
She was very beautiful girl, but
there was none of the gay brightness
one looks for in creature so young.
She had an air of WEAKNESS like that
which comes from long nights of
sleeplessness, and there was suspicion
of tears in her eyes as she greeted her
visitor.
as this your letter." he asked,
abruptly.
She looked at him rather haughtily
an instant, then her whole air changed
to one Of intense eagerness as she
caught sight Of the address. eyes"
she breathed, and in a moment had
taken the note and devoured its con
tents.
"Where did you get it ?" she asked,
looking up, the pretty color that tinged
her cheeks as she read dying out, and
her little air of hauteur returning,
though her eyes still danced, and there
l. l.