The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1894-01-11
HIS BERTHA.

t' ukO OEh 1As
They left tho steamer together, arm
IN arm: some OF the other pAssengers
hooked after them, and one or two
emiled. .... -. .a.
'"rhe Cooks tourist circulars. among
other things, advertise the fact that
matches have been made on their ex-
cs1rsions-congenial persons being
thrown together, while doing Europe,
who might never else have met" said
q sarcastic looking lady to her husband.
who stood beside her.
'Oh, you don't mean to tell ma 30,
my DEAR" said he.
''Healiy." sho replied; III aot Cooks
some other Of the same sort, quite 40
respectable You might drop note to
the managers Of the line to add this
item to their list OF advantages"
You think the young people have
hit it oil, see," said tho gentleman.
Il believe he is going directly to papa
30 ask for Miss Bertha" said the LADY;
That Ia, If 1t IL not an elopement."
Seems to be nice fellow" said tho
gentleman. And she Is very pretty"
Pretty" calculated the lady; she
hasnt a trace Of beauty. She knows
how to dress, that's all"
I'm spite of this cr1dcism,it was Z very
charming girl who was walking up the
long, busy street that led from the
steamer wharf to Broadway; and the
young man who walked beside her
Thought her the loyellest creature
alive.
lie had told her 90 many times dur
Ing tho voyage. Now he was telling
her something more; he WAS making
her an o1er OF his heart and hand.
Il know you are m orphan" he said,
land that there is no enc to decide the
question for you. The captain told me
that he gave you lots of Information
about me, as asked him to. You
know IN not an adventurer, but re-
spectacle business man with good pros
poets, and 1t is only whether you can
hike me enough to marry me, Bertha"
lie had never called her by hex given
name before, and as she heard him ut
ter it she thought for the first time
In her life that it was pretty.
"Oh, think could" she said softly.
You are likeable."
Il wish we were where 1 could kiss
you," he said.
She laughed.
'Ah, but you are not, you know"
Il shall not believe you are engaged
% me until have kissed you," he went
on.
'Ih, am IT. she asked
Arc you notT' he cried. You said
you could like me we'll enough"
wasn't that plenty for the nrst
timer she queried.
You frighten me-" said he. My
darling, tell me you meant it."
On, l meant It," she said; but you
so 50 fast"
You will marry mey' he persisted.
She nodded.
"Wen, then, we are engaged" he
said; and you'll let me go home with
you, and introduce me to your old aunt,
and tell herr he went on.
mo, Mr.. Wheaton" she said, 1T can
not be done in that fashion"
You must cali me Win, or shall
think you mean to jilt- me-" he said.
well, VIII, then," she laughed.
Just think the affair over. You and
meet upon the steamer; the captain IN
treduces US; he tells me all about
for six months have been travelling
companion to Lady who died sudden.
~ in Paris. leaving me to go home
alone. We like each other"
'LikeY' he repeated.
"Weu, we like each other so much
that engage myself to you after an
acquaintance Of fourteen days." said
Bertha. I'm not frightened; believe
I know my own heart-but yon must
confess that my aunt must be pardon.
ed if she thinks it very sudden. Yos1
must give me time to explain; l must
show her that respect. will go home
alone, and the day after tomorrow you
may come up to Cherrypoint, and l car
promise you pleasant reception. Aunt
will have on her best cap, and you viii
be asked to lunch. You will also heal
the family history OF the Van Wycks
Don't you see that my idea Is bette:
than youS?'
Il see that you have a right to ar
range it so," he answered. And sup
pose you will be easily found.
Take the stage and tell them to sto]
at the Van Wyck cottage" said Bertha
Miss VanWyck Is my grand-aunt. Sh
lives all alone but for a maid and a lit
tie dog. I have no other relations bu
q sister, who Is governess to some child
rem. She has gone to France with tn
family, so aunt is quite deserted
Don't come to-morrow-day after to
morrow, please"
I'm try to bear my Punishment" h
answered.
And now let us go and get som
lunch together"
Two hours later he had hidden hi
betrothed adieu, and was sitting in hi
room at the hotel, feeling rs il 1t wer
alI q dream. When he started on the
voyage OF his he had no more 1de
that he should return an engaged ma
than he had that he should become
Mohammedan. But he was very glat
He had never been so happy In all h
life.
The hours passed slowly for him,
spite Of the fact that he was very bus.
and when he had actually complete
his Journey, and was walking up to IL
house door, he could scarcely beliey
that it was only the day before ycste
day that he had parted from Bertha.
In his pocket he had a ring Of valu
IN bia hand a y,op1nrf1l hOJ1ouat of n,