Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-02-11


l."
Il understand" said BERTHE, in a low
voice, as he leaned against the mantel-
piece, his hands in his pockets and
his head lowered But | am sorry
did not know; if had known"
You would not have said what you
said to her this morning" said Royce
alphabetically. MY dear BERTHE, the
blame is mine"
NO, no, there is no blame said
BERTHE, lifting his head, land if had
known, | should have loved her all
the same. loved her the first time !
saw her-but l won't go into that, he
broke off quickly. Il am glad you
looked in this morning, Royce
wanted to say how heartily I wished
you joy, and do. You have got a
woman, Royce, woman "a king
might coyet. | wish you every happ,-
ness, Royce, and, as for her-why,
would give all | am possessed of, life
itself, to bring her coDtentment, say
for year"
| Royce grasped the hand which Bert
lie extended to him and wrung it,
You're good fellow and have be-
haved nobly!" he said, his voice faltei
ing, Many another man would have
cut up rough, and cut my acquainc
ance-"
That's not by way" said Bertic,
| quietly. IF can't have her fol my
/ wifa + can u,ich bar ayar,, oarr;po.,
as the wife of another man, AMI 40
that with all my heart and soul
Thank you! Thank you!" respond
ed Royce, warmly. Il feel tha5 We
have both gained friend who will
stand by us for life!"
81 WILL" said BERTHE.
| There was moments pause, while
BERTHE stared, somewhat sadly, al the
carpet, then frightened up.
Better to have loved and lost
J Than never to have loved at ALL
he said, with rather rueful laugh
Have brandy and soda, Royce?
and he walked to the bureau.
1 AS he did so he saw the picture
and the finding of the will rushed
back upon his mind, and he uttered an
exclamation.
"Oh, Royce! the most singular
thing" he said. "Bnt just look at
that picture and he took it up and
handed it over to him.
"A pretty face" said Royce
eyes, yes; but that's not what 1
wanted you to notice. Pretty? It's
J lovely. But doesn't it remind you CT
some one?" and he watched Royce's
/ face eagerly.
Royce looked at the portrait with
+ knitted brows.
! Remind memo, can't say that i:
does"
| Look again." said BERTHE, going ant.
looking over his shoulder. Look at
the eyes and the mouth-the smile.
Why, man, where are your eyes?'
Royce shook his head
Il can't see any resemblance to any
one | know" he said. us it a family
portrait-one of your people,, BERTHE? %
NO" said BERTHE; 81 don't know
who it is. l found it at old Craddock's
when | went to borrow some money,
and bought it of him.
"Oh, Craddock, in Chain Court"
said Royce, carelessly THE old fell
low had picked it up somewhere in one
of his dealings, and made you take it
as part of the sum-"
81 gave him fifty pounds for it,
said BERTHE Il should have given him
a hundred if he had insisted upon it."
'Why?" demanded Royce, with open
eyes.
BERTHE laughed, and sighed.
Because | saw a resemblance,
which it seems that you, who ought to
have detected it as quickly as l, do
not see."
whom did you think it was like,
them" said Royce.
81 thought 1t was like-Miss Trevel-
yam said BERTHE, in low voice.
Royce looked surprised, and scanned
the picture again.
Well" he said, hesitatingly, there
is faint resemblance, but nothing
more. 1t is as like as the picture of
pIc btdulllul WoI1du is ike dnOlQef
There is something about the eyes
-"
And that is all you sect" exclaimed
BERTHE, wonderingly. well, it is
extraordinary: l should cal 1t the
image of her"
Royce laughed and shook his head.
Your fancy, BERTHE" he said.
There is just the faintest resemb-
lance, and that is all. And you found
ii at old Craddock's?''
Yes" said BERTHE; "but there is
something more remarkable still about
it, Royce"
"Yes?" said Royce. carelessly.
though his heart beat and he felt that
he was growing pale
Yes, most extraordinary. | have
had it by me some time. You see |
bought it because l thought It was
hke-her; but this mohning, after
after | learned she was to be your
wife, | felt that ought not to. some
how. keep it,"