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

exclsiming:
~oh, grandma, there's to be tableauI
party, and am to be Cinderella! May
L"
IF, as you say, you are going to be
Cinderella, what's the use ofasking may
?" said Edgar, laughingly.
MY dear, whose party is it ?"
Soldering down, and stopping her
pirouettes round the room, Berta seated
herself, and began:
"Well, it's Edith DOuglass's birthday
party. Her mother is to get up the
tableaux, and they want me to de Gin
derella."
"who is the prince, Berta? asked Ed
gar.
"Ediih's cousin, Albert Havens- He
has just come from Europe. Grandma,
may take part"
ayes. dear, if you want TO; but come
now, dinners ready"
The eyentful evening came at last. The
spacious parlors Of Mrs Douglass's house
we're brilliantly lighted and garlaDded
with flowers. One room was devoted TO
the guests, and the other was occupied by
the stage.
The curtain rose first on a group o.
s,atuary, copied from Rogers Playing
Doctor" Several tableaux followed, and
theE-aThe Introd uction Of Cinderella to
the Prince" was announced. An exclama-
ton Of pleasure broke forth as the curtain
rose.
Gracefully bending, with her eyes
modestly cast down, stood Berta. I'm
usually lovely she looked. Her dress IA
marvel of pale paper muslin covered with
tullel gave her the appearance of being
much older, with its sweeping train.
Growing the toilet was an exquisite
cloak also of blue, with soft trimmings of
down.
The prince, tall, fair boy, looked right
royal in his black velvet and silver.
As Edgar looked with surprise ct the
beautiful tahleau-surprised, because al
though he had always thought Berta very
petty, he never had considered her so
beautiful as that-he heard a sweet voice
near him say:
''Why, mamma, isn't that the exact
copy of the cloak 1 lost 50 long ago -
~Yes, Lottie, I noticed that; but do you
not know that which is stranger still ?"
There was something-others besides
Lottie's mother were conlmentingon it.
The peculiar light thrown upon the
faces Of the performers brought out every
feature distinctly, and as the Prince and
Cinderella both stood with their profiles
turned towards the audience, a striking
resemblance was seen between them.
The same high forehead, curved eye
brews, and straight noses, and what was
most noticeable, as there are seldom two
alike, the shape of their mouths was
exactly similar. Some time after the
strange resemblance was talked over.
AS soon as possible Edgar turned 70 see
the owner of the sweet voice. 1t was the
same fair girl whose cloak he had unwit-
tingly become the pcssessor Of
When the performance was ended,
Edgar sought his hostess, and requested
an introduction 10 the young lady, whom
be only knew as @Lottie."
''Yes, that is my niece-Miss Havens
She and her mother and brother have
Just returned from abroad
As soon as he felt sufficiently acquaint-
ed-afer conversing awhile-Edwsrd
introduced the subject of the cloak. Lot
tie was very mnch surprised, and said;
"Why, think I remember your face
Didn't you stand beside me as We left our
seats in the hall that night ?"
To tell the truth, Lottie had secretly
admired his fine eyes very much, and
had wondered who he was. OF course
Edgar did not know that; but he felt q
very agreeable sensation tothink he had
been worthy to be remem bered so long 4
time
Alter awhile he led Lo;tie to his mother
and Berta. and introduced them.
When the evening was over, and they
had made their adieux, Edgar said
Miss Havens, may call and return
your long lost cloak ,"
Certainly We should be most happy
TO see you at any time, with or withou
the cloak, replied Lottie.
sand should be pleased to continu,
our acquaintance" said Mrs Havens Il
Mrs. Hammond @snd please bring you
little granddaughter with you some day
She stopped and kissed Berta.
"You remind me very much Of littl,
girl lost, my dear. should ike to Sc
you often."
Mrs. Hammond and Berta soon callet
upon their new friends, and a pleasan
intimacy sprang up between the twl
families. Mrs. Hsvens seemed drawn +
Berta, and Berta to her, until Mrs. Ham
mond laughingly said she should yer,
soon be jealous
One day as the Hammonds sat at din
ner, the servant brought in s letter
With some curiosity Edgar looked at tn
curious writing, and then broke the sea
read it, and put it quietly in his pocket
But after the meal was over and Bert
had returned TO school, his quiet manne
vanished entirely he took it out anC
read il to his mother.
Ii was dated from a snail village no
far away, and ran thus:
MR HAvENs-Sir, have taken tn
liberty of written to you, am dying, an
must see you before l die, it is abou
Molly. MARY BRIGGS"
Edgar hurridly arose.
There I've had my suspicious a
along believe that our Berta has
name she need not be ashamed of, an
that this woman knows all about it.
will go Immediately"
Edgar found the woman very i'll ju:
able to speak. His suspicious prove
correct and she told him the followin
story.
Years before there had been fearfJ
railroad accident, in which most of tn
, passengers had been burned beyond rec
ognition. She was then living near by