West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1890-02-20

anxious watchers who bent above him.
"Who is Berthal" 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 l can for his body, but
only her coming can relieve his mind"
And, he added, softly, "shc must come
soon"
III l only knew" the mother an
swered, chow l would fly to herl 1t is
breaking my heart 20 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, 1t is hard 10 know a woman holds
my beautiful boys life in her hands, and
| cannot even plead with her for it,"
And with passionate gesture she turned
away
AT the office, things went on rs 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 himself
to destroy the stolen letter, but when
alone, constantly took it from his pocket
and glanced at it,
One day, while doing so, Mr.. Wade
suddenly entered the room Hastily slip
ping 1t under n 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. Wards kindly
voice grew husky.
"Is it so bad as that, sirl" Weaver
murmured, while a deadly faintness
seized him
$50 bad as that fear, Mr. Wade an
swered, mechanically taking up a pile of
papers and running over them. Suddenly
he exclaimed:
Whats this?--a letter written by
Frank himself and never sent2"
The pity that a moment ago had filled
Weaver suddenly vanished, and fierce
desire to escape detection had taken its
place.
"Why, yes" he said "I 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 il YOU
will give me the letter, I'll leave it with
his mother"
Yes, yes" assented Mr.. Wade,
that's good idea.
But he still held it in his hand. while
Weaver could hardly retain his desire to
snatch it away.
III get the cursed thing in my own
hand once, he thought, lit will never bc
seen again"
Just then Jimmy entered Catching
sight Of the letter in Mr.. Wade's hand,
/ he exclaimed
'Why, Mr.. Weaver, you didn't mail
that letter that day"
/ Weaver turned pale
You don't know what you're talking
about, - he said, as Mr.. Wade glanced up
inquiringly
Yes, do, Jimmy persisted; that's
the letter MIR. Hepburn gave me to mail
the day before he got sick Do you re-
member 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,
I Mr.. Weaver took il from me. and said
he'd mail il himself"
( Jimmy had taken the letter from Mr.
I Wade's hand, and turning it over, ex-
claimed
It's opened now"
! There was no need TO question Weaver
. fhn trnL ~ I.ftf.r h,sr.I 1.
/ Jimmy told his guilt more cloquently
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 hc had seen thai morning toss
ing restlessly from side 10 side, aud stiu
I trying 10 murmur Bertha"
/ "The name is the same he com
/ mcnted "I'll take her the note and cx-
plain It's delay There may bo n con
nection between this and his brain fever.
God grant there is
Hurredly calling a cab, he drove TO
the address ON the envelope. and was
soon greeted by young lady who re-
sponded to his inquiry for Miss Bertha
. whey.
She was very beautiful girl. but
/ there was none Of tho gay brightness one
, would look for in creature so young.
She had an air OF WEAKNESS like that
which comes from long nights Of sleep.
lessness, and there was suspicion Of
tears in her voice as she greeted her vis-
itor
"Is this your lctter1" be asked abrupt.
ly.
She looked At him rather hauqhtily on
instant then her whole air changed to
ono Of intense eagerness as she caught
sight Of the address eyes. She
breathed, and in moment had taken
the note and dcvoured It's contents
"Whcre did you get it2" she asked.
looking mp, the pretty color that tinged
her checks as she read dying ont and her
little air Of hauteur returning. thouVh
her eyes still danced, and there was 90
glad ring in her sweet voice
Ignoring her question, Mr Wade said
sharply
DO you know its writer is dyingI
dying Frank oh, my darlngw
There was no need to ask If this was
the Bertha. Only one woman can utter
q mans name in that tone The HQht