The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-19
MISPLACED FAITH.

But don't you think you are reposing
too much confidence in him, Berthaf'' said
Mrs. PoEtman to her friend Bertha Baker.
The pretty young widow laughed and
shook her head.
When Gerald Montressor proposed TO
Bertha Baker, a wealthy young widow
with two children, she burst into tears
and murmured something about "not be-
ing good enough for hinr'
Miss johnson, the governess Of little
Blanche and Bessie, olasped her hands IN
delight when Bertha told her OF her en-
gRgement.
"He's such darling manP' said Miss
johnson
So the big wedding cake was made, and
the white silk dress was ordered, and the
clergyman engaged to perform the cere-
mony, when a telegram arrived from Eu-
rope demanding Mrs. Bakers instant
presence at the deathbed Of her only
brother.
"You surely will not think of going,
Bertha?' pleaded the bridegroom elect.
81 shall CO." Mrs. Baker answered
quietly. "It is duty from which may
not shirk.''
And she went, resolutely refusing the
escort of Mr.. Montressor, because" she
said, 81 would rather know that my little
ones are safe under your fatherly CARE
Before she sailed, however, she made q
will, leaving her children, her property,
her all, to the guardianship of Gerald
Montressor, and thereby arose the remark
which opens our tale.
Three or four weeks glided away before
a second telegram was handed into the
Gothic furnished library of the house on
PatriciRn square where MIR. MontressOr
was reading the paper aloud to Miss Jo-
sophia johnson:
sail in the San Duomo April 81 Love to all.
B. B.
And while the upholsterer's men were
lacking down the pale blue velvet carpet
in the brides boudoir the sad tidings
came of the laundering of the good steam
er San Duomo and the loss of all on board.
The little children stared in bewilder-
ment at their black frocks and wide black
sashes.
1.-THE Lords will be DONE" groAned
Mr.. MontressOr.
I'VE must strive to be resigned" said
Miss Josepha johnson.
1t was a sunbright morning toward the
LIST of June. Mrs. Portman was watering
the monthly roses and geraniums in her
windows, when there came a soft tapping
at the door.
'tCome in,'' said Mrs. Portman, and
straightforward a ghost glided in.
Or at least SO she thought. It was
Bertha Baker, the woman whom they all
believed to be shrined in coral at the bot
j tom of the Atlantic.
Don't be frightened, Mrs. Portman,"
said Bertha. Its only L didn't sail
in the Duomo after all A little extra law
business that hadn It anticipated kept me
until the next steamer. I was so vexed,
but I'll never grumble again. 1t was the
saving of my life. And now tell me about
the ohildren-about Gerald.
Mrs. Portman's apectacles glared upon
the inquiring face of the young widow.
''Is it possible" she asked, THAT you
haven't been there9''
81 wanted to hear something of their
welfare first. I wanted to surprise them.
''And I guess you viii surprise them"
! said Mrs. Portman. Haven t you heard?"
Heard whatP''
"Why," said Mrs. Portman, with a
roguish twinkle in her eyes, "Mr. Mon
| tressor thought it was a great pity the
wedding cake and the dress and the veil
should all be wasted, so he is to marry
that precious Miss Josepha johnson of
yours the day after tomorrow"
''ImpossibIer' gasped Bertha "And
the children"
''Oh, the childrenl They are a secondary
consideration, said Mrs. Portman dryly.
"They are to be packed off to boarding
school, for Miss Josepha johnson has had
quite enough Of them already, and Mr..
Montressor ism t fond of children now that
their mothers eye is of him and the prop
erty is in his own control.
Mrs. Bakers lips were compressed.
"The man is q false vilIaini'' she cried.
"Just exactly what I've always thought
myself, - retorted Mrs. Portman, but you
wouldn't believe word of itI''
LET US go to them at once" cried Mrs.
Baker, the fitful color coming and going
in fever hushes on her cheek. 1.-THE idea
of sending my. children away to boarding
schOol-ny little pet lambsP'
Miss Josepha johnson was trying on
the wedding dress in Mrs. Bakers own
bedroom when the doorben rang.
i III III
son, although I should have preferred
white satin with sprays of orange blooms
all around the hem of the veil, and-do
get out of the way, Blanche and Bessie,
you little bothering plaques, or IN slap
your faces p
'No, you will not said soft, firm
voice close beside her. ''Take off that
dress at once and then take yourself out
| of my housel''
Miss Josepha johnson gave an eldritch
screeoh of terror and dismay.
II thought you were drownedW she
screamed.
81 am as alive as yourself, " said Bertha
calmly, and then, followed by Mrs. Port
man, she walked down stairs into the
drawing room, where Mr.. Montressor was
leisurely reading the paper.
els that you, my darling Josepha?'' he
asked without turning his head. Come
here and give your own Jerry kiss
Mrs. Baker bit her lip.
'You are under a mistake, Mr. Mon
tressor, - said She ''You and your darling
Josepha may clear out as soon as you
pleasel"
''BerthaI'' Mr.. Montressor's classic jaw
fell, his eyes expanded. "Berthal Alive
and WE'LL Has Providence worked mir
acleP''
Exactly p said Mrs Baker. Provi-
dence has revealed to me the real character
of those in whom I trusted so implicitly
something little short of miracleP'
Mr.. Montressor lost his rich wife, but
Miss Josepha johnson did not gain hus-
hand CI,n l. ~, old rn,nsd Eli R.,,. +L,nN