Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-09
BERTHE MARTINS BLUES.
(Argosy.)

The hOuee-party was sftnereu IVupo
the celebrated wishing-well In TIE old
ruins, forming one Of the most attrac-
tive features OF The estate OF Newton
Chase, and trying The luck That with
some certainly had been forward OF
late.
The speaker was bright. fresh girl.
OF TO- Dorothy Manners. who. "'ith her
brother Tom. a cadet from Sandhurst.
Was paying her Grst growu-up visit Tor
the Denley Bachelors rail-. and. In the
course of her stay had won the aGmira-
ton OF Captain Martin, known 10 his
intimates as BERTHE. And without betray-
ing any Of Dorothy's secrets, We may
allow that on the whole she thought him
very nice. That Lady Newton Uheir
hostess), saw this state Of affairs with
pleasure cannot he doubted: but whether
the long invitation accorded 10 each was
the result OF intention OF chance she did
not dlvulge.
She had known BERTHE Martin for seve-
raj years and he ranked as one OF her ia
vorites. The touch OF cynicism that In
unguarded moments he betrayed vexed
while II puzzled her; and when, on the
death OF a relative, he was left with a
comfortable little income. she woman like.
felt 1t her duty IL possible to remove the
cloud OF gloom that somehow Of late had
seemed habtual to him.
When. therefore. In the summer pre-
ylous TO the winter of which ] am writ
Ing. she had during a visit TO Devonshire
renewed an old acquaintanceship in the
form Of the Rev. Robert Manners
and his wife. and conceived great affec-
ton for their lovely daughter-presented
with 80 much pride by her parents-Lady
Newton may be forgiven. as the frank
gray eyes were raised to hers and the
merry laugh sounded In her ears. for
feeling that II Dorothy could not assist
In chasing away BERTHE Martins blues"
her knowledge OF men was small.
And the man was. as men are, totally
unconscious Of the guidance of a proper
~ conducted" woman and when 1t be-
came apparent. as 1t soon did, that the
girls truthful face and happy ways had
made an impression. Lady Newton heaved
a sigh OF content, left things to take
their course. and waited patiently.
But suddenly, TO her unaccountably,
change came over the spirit Of her dream.
and It came with the advent OF Lady
Evelyn Surtees. two days previous to the
ball.
IL was extraordinary. Gossip had
never In the slightest connected their
names: she knew sufficient OF her world
to know It would IL IL could. and then
Lady Evelyn was not that sort OF
womanA True, clever men told you
she was ciever: 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 a bit clever; while silly ones de-
clared they should like her. but they
could not understand her. To her hus-
band she was divine. and he spent most
of his time In wondering how such
being could have condescended to him.
She never quarrelled. at least openly and
some men worshipped her, but from
afar.
However. whatever she might be- the
fact remained that with her arrival had
departed Dorothy's happiness. Captain
Mertin had become constrained and dis
tant. and instead OF engrossing her
every moment had left her to the So
ciety of his friend and brother officer,
Captain Wemyss. contenting himself
with the companionship OF his own sex.
What was the cause OF 1t, wondered
poor Lady Newton. Had they quar-
relied? She thought not--she rather
hoped they had.
But during this depression we have
left Dorothy sitting on the edge Of the
we'll wishing. wishing with all her
heart Every one else had already done
so in really solemn manner, at the
same time dropping pebble into the
clear depths. AS the girl followed in
her turn. she happened to glance at
Captain Martin. who was watching her
fixedly. as IL TO read her thoughts.
Her manner changed.
II. wonder" she asked, III these
wishes have ever come true?"
"Oh! some do. of course" replied Cap
tain Wemyss, 'in fact, | know a queer
case In point, but / won't answer for the
fulfilled wish bringing happiness. fellow
In our battalion was awfuly fond of a
girl. Miss Saunderson-you remember
her. Martini BERTHE nodded, and he re-
sumed: THE liking was mutual, she was
quite child; only sixteen. fancy, and
i knew her intimately One day at
picnic we were all wishing much the
same as to-day. and afterward she came
to me and said. i shall be such happy
gir, IL my wish come true I laughed
and said. BE sure to tell me II 1t does
and she promised to do so. I was sent to
the plains for a month the next day. and
on my return / met her with all the
smiles gone from her pretty little face
Poor soul. she sobbed out her grief TO
me; her father would not hear Of an en-
gagement, as he thought the man rather
last My wish did come true she said.
Tor j hoped he would propose. and he
did that afternoon: but what was the
good OF itT He was killed shortly after
ward in Afghanistan. and she was
awfuliy cut up for long time; but at
last married a man Of the name of Trevor.
They live In London, and she and | have
always been the best of friends"
Are you not speaking Of the Mrs. Trey
or who Is expected this afternoon?' in
quired lady Evelyn. yes" he replied
and 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 Captajn
Martin advanced with outstretched hand:
Il suppose you hardly remember me
Mrs. Trevor? II Is several years since
We met"
II think I DO" she replied, smiling
pleasantly. "Are you not little Bertie
Martin that used TO be? You had iust
joined when first met you, and were
devoted TO polo; are you fond OF IL still?'
and the talk drifted TO other subjects I'M
I'll there was u proposal TO explore the
ruins. as secret room had lately been
discovered and Lady Newton was anxious
TO show 1t to the new arrival.
Most OF the party had already disap-
peared. out Lady Evelyn remained seated.
AS BERTHE was following a voice STONED
him. and he turned.
Did you call. Lady EVELYN"
les did" she replied. land Of all the
Sude men l have ever known you are the
rudest. Don't you see that / don't want
10 explore. but that l want to be amused
please leave the ruins alone, and stay
here and chat with me-"
MOST certainly" answered ;Bert,e
bot Feel my powers In that direction
are small. unless unwittingly l am lucky
enough to AFFORD you amusement. as
sometimes appear to do
She TOOK NOTICE of fhie rep,ori> h,,s