The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1899-01-26
A SUMNER IDYL.


thought OF meeting Yon mere, MISS Berta.
How far are you traveling?' ''To Gin
cinnati Our friend Winnie Davenport is
to be married and am to be bridesmaid
''Really, | am delighted. That is just
where l am going The groom to be is an
old friend of mine and | am to be best
man on the happy occasion. Well, if l
thought certain little girl whom | know
of could love me | would not envy him a
bit. Do you remember the day l left
your house last summer, and that | told
you | had question to ask you when we
met again?' Berta nodded. ''Well,
Berta, I am going to ask it now Will
you give me favorable reply?' Ger
tainly, If can, said Berta, with premo-
milton of what was coming.
He took from his pocket little casket
in which, on bed of white velvet, cleaned
a solitaire diamond ring of exquisite beau
ty. 81 bought this for my future wife
Berta, darling, will you accept both gift
and giver?'' His voice was low and tender
and full of emotion as he held the ring
toward her She looked into the face SO
near her own for a moment, at the clear
the firm lips half hidden by the silken
moustache. 1t was face that any woman
might love and trust, and so Berta felt it
to be. 81 WILL" she whispered softly,
her sweet face bright with bushes He
slipped the glitteling gem upon her finger
and held the small hand as though he
would never let it 90.
About ten clock the lights of the sta
tion at Cincinnati came in view. Winnie
brother was awaiting them and few
moments drive brought them to their DIES.
tination. Winnie met them at the door
and almost smothered Berta with kisses.
''My dear little girl, how glad l am to see
ever. | hardly dare let Vincent see you, II
she added with a merry laugh. ''She be-
longs to me now, Miss Winnie, said Ros-
coe, coming forward, ''and | do not know
about letting Vincent see her, either. y
cob, are you really engaged? cried Winnie
delightedly. 81 am SO glad, and hope
your future will be full of happiness. 81
sincerely hope that it may, dear friend, a"
said Roscoe reverntly. 81 intend Berta's
future to be fair and bright, if devoted love
and tender care can make it SO, for she is
the dearest little girl in the world. Berta
blushed, and the trio entered the house
where dainty lunch was awaiting the
off the palm for beauty at the wedding,
the bride or Berta. Winnie was attired
in ivory white satin with veil of priceless
lace caught back from the fair face with
wreath Of orange blooms. Berta's gown
was white chiffon over pale pink silk. A
few pink rosebuds nestled amid the rich
waves of curling hair and cluster was
fastened in her corsage. Her round cheek
glowed and the dark eyes cleaned like
stars. Roscoe, calm and self possessed,
took his place by the grooms side and the
solemn words were spoken which united
Winnie Davenport and Vincent St. Clair
for life.
A week later Berta returned home, ac-
companied by Roscoe, who made short
visit then returned to his business in
distant city. Two years passed swiftly
away and the morning of Berta' wedding
day dawned bright and clear, and
never sun shone upon fairer bride or
prouder, happier bridegroom. Blanche
and her husband were present; also tiny
baby with its fathers dark eyes and
mothers golden hair. ''Who could have
foretold' said Blanche, as they were all
seated in the cosy parlor the evening after
the wedding, ''that so much happiness
would arise from taking summer board
ers.'' And l, foolish girl, thought it would
spoil all my enjoyment for the summer;
but, instead l found the greatest blessing
of my life. Truly all things work to-
gether for good" Roscoe Ainsley looked
at the bright, beautiful face of his Young
WIZ Will SIodl Joy III LIS HedIu. w nat
would my life have been had l never met
my darling,'' he thought. 81 can never
thank God enough for giving me the
browning joy of my life, my loving, beau
tiful wife,
Roscoe and Berta left the next day for
their lovely home in California. Blanche
remained at the old home week longer.
then she with her husband and child took
her departure, leaving her mother lonely
indeed. But Mrs. Carleton would not
leave the farm where she had come a
happy bride and where her children had
been born. Every room in the house was
endeared to her by a thousand happy and
tender memories. So it was arranged
that her brother and his daughter, a girl
of fifteen, should live with her and the
former take charge of the farm. ears after
whon ho %+or oe ,L;1l.oo,. 60