The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-06-24

BEEN
He stoppad and kissed her before she
had finished and then the little Bertha.
and went quickly from the room.
He stood waiting in the familiar room
on Marlboro street, where be had spent so
many happy hours.
The present bribed itself into tie past
before the separation. and the time be-
tween was all unreal. Bertha came into
the room and he went to meet her, silently,
holding out his arms.
when | got your last letter, the one
ABOUT the little niece, [ came" she began,
as though she had learned these words for
an opening speech
he held her close.
Yes. dear, why did that letter help you
to cOme?''
ut was what you said about the SIM
plcity and confidence of child's love.
They just love without question, don't
they? They are not afraid of the past
or the future. or anything. They just
trust"
Yes, they just trust" he repeated.
Tell me. Bertha, why have you been
doubting me?"
st is all so strange. l could not tell
you If you were any one but yourself, but
y0u will understand. It was you who
made me know about such things and to
believe in theE."
"BeIoVe IN what, Bertha ?"
SIN psychical things, Louis. 1t has all
and at first couldn't forgive you, but I
have now. l believe, do you know. it was
because we were so very near to each
other that you could tell me that way"
Speak plainly. Bertha:
He put her from him, his face white and
his voice husky. Tell me all that you
know"
Il know it was YOU who took that money
from your firm five years ago, Louis, and
not MIR. COrlis, who has always been
accused.
II know that because he happened to go
away just at that time. and 1t was SaIe
and easy for you. you let him be accused,
and no one has ever suspected tha6 you
were the-the one.
"And know it was you who repaid the
money, all of ii.
And l know it was because Mr.. Corlis
died you went on letting people think MIN
guilty. Everything seemed to help you 10
be-to keep still, and you have kept SUI.
but you took ii, Louis. i know you look
it" Her voice sank to whisper
you came 10 me and told ne. Louis.
1t was just as | was going 10 ped, the
night before that day L met you ID the
horse car. was going to BED, ana SAT
down before my fire and was thinking OF
you, and all at once you were telling me-
we were so very near that you could.
She had not asked if it was true. de
knew that she had taken the communities
tiOD as absolutely as though he had come
to her in the flesh and made his confession.
- TT is all true, BerthaW lie sank into
a chair, burying his face in his hands.
She came and knelt beside MIN ana
clasDed him with her arms.
What do you want me 10 do, BerthaY
"There is only one thing to do, Louis.
Tell the COrlis people thatlt was you VINO
took it. If they want to tell every oDetso as
to clear him, they must have the right to.
you do not realize whatyou are asking
me to do. dearest 1t would do 30 good.
1t would only mean lot of ugly talk. 1t
would be years before it would De forgot
ten again. COrlis had the good fortune 20
die. | should have to live it down. we
owe this silence to the future happiness OF
our home. Bertha, you must feel that GOD
knows / have suffered the purifying
anguish and the disgrace of it, 90 not
need the condemnation of my friends.
II shall love you. anyway, Louis. L havs
made up my mind TO that, but shall never
be happy" She put her cheek against his.
"YOu know what you said, dear. about
the love and confidence of a little child;
how beautiful it is? Is it if we don't de-
serve it?"
After long silence he loosened himself
from her clasp and stood mp.
Il will do what you want me to, Bertha,
but must go now"
80, my dear, my dear. know how hard
it is for yOu!'
40 live always with the thought of
your condemnation is all that could be
harder for me. Bertha"
The wedding which took place two
months later was a very quiet affair. 1t
was union of love; love that dissolved
all past misdeeds, in the hope and trust Of
the tuture.-NemO in Boston Globe.