The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-03-09

child awoke 10 consciousness, she lisped /:
"Berta wants papa"
That was the story, and the woman
whose crime had troubled her death-bed,
now seemed relieved.
When he arrived home, Edgar told his
mother and Berta the woman's confes-
sion, and for awhile things went along in
their usual quiet manner.
Every time our hero met Lottie Hsvens
he found new charms. The time passed
in her society seemed TO him TO fairly
fly he almost felt Ike audibly reproach-
ing the cuckoo on the mantel, for re-
minding him how late it was. He was
not long in discovering why it was he
felt thus, and determined with his moth
er's full sanction and sPproyal) to learn
his fate without delay.
One evening the opportunity arrived,
and in earnest, manly tones he told her
of his love. The soft, frank eyes looked
Bravely into his face for an instant, but
what they saw there made them droop,
and the shell-pink deepened into vivid
hue; but not before he had read in their
tender depths the answer he coveted.
As they sat talking as lovers DO, LOttie
said:
Edgar, there is one thing 1 value
even more than this looking down at
the flashing stone on her finger.
"And what is that, nay darling 7'
"My cashmere cloak If it had not
been for that we might never have met
and known each other"
"Yes, and it shielded our Berta from
the bitter cold one time. l have never
told you about that, but l viii. We
mustn't have any secrets from each other
now"
When Mrs. Havens came in, Edgar, in
his usual straightforward way, led Lottie
to her, and told her what had passed /;
and she, seeing her daughters happy
face. and liking Edgar heartily, was con-
tented that it should be SO.
By and by Lottie said
Edgar, what about my cloak shield
ing Berta?"
~Oh, that is long story; but 1 want
you and your mother to know, as you
may be able to help me in search I am
quietly carrying on"
Then, briefly he told them how he
first found Berta, and the events after,
until he took her to her mother. When
he told Of the strange communication n
the dying woman had made him, and
reached the part relating to the disaster,
and describing the clothing and orna-
ments of the child, Mrs. Hayens started
up with cry
@Oh, my baby my lost Alberta :"
She raised her voice higher at each
word, until with q scream she fell back
in her chair.
Lottie quickly lel her lovers side, and
elasping her arms around her mother
herself trembling with excitement
said:
Mamma, dear, thank God, think my
little sister is alive On, mamma,
don't give way"
Edgar and Albert looked on, Albert
dimly comprehending, but Edgar COM
pletely astonished at the scene.
AS soon as Mrs. Havens recovered her
eompOsure, she spoke:
~Mr Edgar-to you owe
my childs recovery. Your Bert2 is my
own daughter and Albert's twin sister.
Ny husbands health had been poor for
some time, and he thought he would go
to his mothers home for a few weeks
and recover his strength. Albert and
MS twin sister, Alberta, were children OF
three years at that time. Ny husband
almost idolized Berta, so lie begged me
to spare her to him for his little coupan-
ion while away They started and that
was the last time ever saw my noble
husband. Here she had omake long
pause When the news Of the disaster
came went right on, and found that
my husband, and, as I supposed, my
child, had been among the victims. Oh
that was fearful time
"The remains were all burned beyond
recognition, but I got my husband's S
watch and the little hat that my baby
had worn. never thought in my Wild
est dreams that she could have escap-
ed"
The scene in Mrs. Havens' parlor the
) next day was a most affecting one
When Berta entered the room with Mrs
Hammond and Edgar, her mother with
a glad cry, rushed forward and clasped
her to her heart
my darling child know now Why
felt so strangely drawn toward you"
"My mamma was all Berts could
say, and. holding out her hand to her
brother and sister, who were sobbine
for very ioy, she drew them closely to
her.
Edgar and his mother looked on with
what would have been sadness, but thu
Mrs. Hammond knew very soon Berthai
place would be filed by loving dsught
er; and as for Edgar, he couldn't have
been sad if be had tried
r The next month L ottie became Ed
CARS wife. The cashmere cloak wa
handled with reyerent care, for it seem
t ed almost a sacred thing to Lottie
Edgar came in one day, shortly afte
, their return from their wedding tour
and found her carefully arranging it in
I box.
@My little wife, that cloak seems boun'
up in our destinies- Through it I frs
| met you; it has united the long parte'
a mother and child, and has been III
I means of making my Lottie a hspp.
| wife. Is she happy?
The sweet mouth trembled a little a
I it was raised for q kiss, and LOttie ans
! wered the question with her eyes.
p Edgar was satisfied.
, A Wonder Worker.
Mr.. Frank Huffman, young man {
: Burlington. Ohio, states that he had bee