The record-union., 1895-07-13
BERTHE MARTINS BLUES.
swish? OF course I will"

the celebrated wishing well In the OLD
ruins, forming one of the most attractive
features of the estate of Newton Chase,
and trying the luck that with some GER
tainty had been froward Of late.
The speaker was bright. fresh girl OF
l9, Dorothy Manners. who, with her
brother Tom, cadet from Sandhurst,
was paying her first grown-up visit for
the Denley Bachelors ball, and in the
course of her stay had won the admiration
OF Captain Martin, known to his init
mates as Berthe. And without betrayInR
any of Dorothy's secrets we may allow
that on the whole she thought him very
nice. That Lady Newton (their hostess)
saw this state of affairs with pleasure
cannot be doubted, but whether the long
invitation accorded to each was the re-
suit OF intention or chance she did not
divulge.
She had known BERTHE Martin for sew
eral years, and he ranked as one OF her
fayoriIes The touch Of cynicism that IN
unguarded moments he betrayed veXed
while it puzzled her; and when on the
death OF relative he was leII Win coIh-
Portable little income, she, Wonlanllke,
1elt it her duty, if possible, to remove the
cloud OF gloom that somehow OF late had
seemed habitual to him.
When. therefore, in the summer prevl-
Gus TO the winter of which / am writing,
she had, during visit 10 DeVonshlre, re-
newed an old acqualntanceshlp IN the
form of the Reverend Manners and his
wife, and conceived a great affection for
their lovely daughter-presented with so
much pride by her parents-Lady New
ton may be forgiven. AS the frank gray
eyes were raised 10 hers and the merry
laugh sounded in her ears, for feeling
that If Dorothy could not assist IN chas-
ing away BERTHE Martins ''blues," her
knowledge OF men was small.
And the man was, as men are. totally
unconscious of the guidance OF prop
erly conducted" woman, anu when 1t be-
came apparent, rs ii soon did, that the
girls truthful face and happy ways had
made an impression, Lady New ton
hesved a sigh of content, left things to
take their course and waited quietly.
But suddenly, to her unaccountably. a
change came over the spirit OF her dream,
and it came with the advent of Lady
Evelyn Surtees, two days previous to
the ball.
1t was extraordinary. Gossip had
never in the slightest connected their
names; she knew sufficient of the world
to know it would. if it could, and then
True, clever men told you she was clever;
fools, that she was sweet and gentle, with
her lovely face and perfect ways; clever
women said she was pretty, "but you
know, dear, not bit CLEVER" Whlle
silly ones declared they should like her,
but they could not understand her. 10
her husband she was divine, and he
spent most of his time in wondering how
such being could have condescended to
marry him. She never Quarreled, at least
openly, and some men worshlped her,
but from 1ar.
However, whatever she might be, the
fact remained that with her arrival had
departed Dorothy's happiness. Captain
Martin had become consCralned and dis
tant, and instead of engrossing her every
moment had left her to the society or his
friend brother officer, Captain Wemyss,
contenting himself with the companion
ship OF his own sex. What was the cause
of it, wondered poor Lady Newton. Had
they Quarreled? She thought not she
rather hoped they had.
But during this depression we have left
Dorothy sitting on The edge OF the well,
wishing, wishing, with all her heart.
Every one had already done so in a
really solemn manner, at the same time
dropping pebble into the clear depths.
AS the girl followed in her turn, she hap
pened To glance at Captain Martin, who
was watching her tiXedIy as IL 10 read
her thoughts.
Her manner changed.
''I wonder" she asked, 'if these wishes
have ever come true?"
''Oh, some do, Of COURSE" replied Cap
tain Wemyss. lin fact, L know queer
case in point, but l won't ans er for the
fulfilled wish bringing happiness. A
fellow in our battalion was awIully fond
of girl, a Miss sSaunderson-you remem-
Al L.
resumed: The liking was mutual, she
was quite child; only l6. L fancy, and L
knew her intimately. one day at a pic
mic we were all wishing, much the same
as to-day, and afterward she came to me
and said, i shall be such happy girl if
my wish come true.' | laughed and
said, BE sure and tell me if it does,' and
she promised TO do so. L was sent TO the
plains for month the next day, and on
my return L met her with all the smiles
gone from her pretty little lace. Poor
soul she sObbed out ner grief 10 me; her
father would not hear OF an engagement,
as he thought the man rather fast My
wish did comes true she said, for l
hoped he would propose, and he did that
afternoon; but what was the good OF it?'
He was killed shortly afterward in At
ghan1stan, and she was awfully cut up
for long time, but at last married man
of the name OF Trevor. They live in Lon
don, and she and 1 have always been the
best of friends"
Are you speaking of the Mrs. Trevor
who is expected this a1ternoon?" inquired
Lady Evelyn.
'Yes," he replied. land you know the
proverb. speak OF angel etc.; here she
comes with Lady Newton"
The party turned TO greet her. for she
was general favorite, and Captain Mar
tin advanced with outstretched hand:
81 suppose you hardly remember me,
Mrs. Trevor? 1t is several years since
we Inet"
81 think 1 do" she replied, smiling
pleasantly; "are you not little Bertie
Martin that used to be? You had Just
joined when L first met you, and were
devoted TO polo; are you fond OF it still?''
and she talk dritted TO other subjects
until there was a proposal to explore the
ruins, as secret room had lately been
discovered and Lady Newton was anx-
ious 10 show ii TO the new arrival.
Most of the party had already disap-
peared, but Lady Evelyn remained seated.
AS Bertle was following a voice stopped
him and he turned.
"Dld you call, Lady Evelyn"
Yes, did," she replied. land of all
the rade men have ever known you are
the rudest. Don't you see that l don't
want to explore, but that l want TO be
amused? Please leave the ruins alone,
and stay here and chat with me-"
Most certainly answered BERTHE;
"but l feel my powers in that direction
small, unless unwittingly l am lucky
enough to afford you amusement, as /
sometimes appear TO do"
She took no notice of this remark but
looked at him steadily; surely no man
could be quite insensible to the pretty
picture she was making i'll her soft, gray
gown, with her fair hair and white skin
against the winter landscape
II don't think India can be verv nice
place. Bertie," she said at length, ''fol
you have not improved since you went