The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1904-07-08

She sat as though stunned for little
time after Harry and BERTHE had left the
Summcr-hOusc, and then seemed to realize
what she had heard, she rose and walked
with quick, impatient step to the house.
She was a widow of about forty, below
the medium height, slight and delicate
looking, and must at Hcrtic's age, have
very much rcsemblcd her, who, by the
way, WIS her namcsakc; and as her sis
ter, Bcrtc's mother and herself married
brothers, their surname WAS also the
same.
She entered the house, went directly to
her room, threw herself into low chair,
and leaned her head on the table.
ooh! | cannot give him up, she MUIR
INJURED; love him too we'll"
After while she rose and looked at
herself in the full length mirror.
81 should easily be mistaken for her at
seven O'Clock in the evening, she unused.
and after we are married, he will soon
learn to love the Alberta Horton of forty
with wealth beyond his most sanguine
expectations, rs we'll as he now does the
pcnnilcss BERTHE Horton of nineteen"
BERTHE did not wake the next morning
until the sun shone brightly in her face;
and then, springing up she made a hasty
toilet and trippcd down stairs, for it was
some time past the usual breakfast hour
Her aunt greeted her with lovely
rally on her hardness; and was very
pleasant during the meal.
After breakfast BERTHE tried in vain to
think of an excuse to go over to Minnie
Mller's; her aunt had hardly allowed her
| to leave the house alone since Harry came
home.
She was making herself really unhappy
over it vixen Mrs. Horton came in.
"Bertic dear, she exclaimed, don't you
want to go over to Minnie's today"
How Bcrtie's heart bounded, but she
answered inditiercntly.
II would like to go we'll enough, but
won't you be lonely, aunt ~
mo indeed" returned Mrs. Horton;
81 will tell Hugh to have the carriage
ready, and you can 90 as soon as you
like"
Bcitie did not need any more urging,
but flew upstairs to get ready. Il won
der what makes aunt so pleasant this
morning, she unused? But, if she knew
all, wouldn't there ne storm"
And BERTHE shuddered at the thought
She was very particular about her toilet,
wearing rich blue silk, and putting care
fully in box white ribbons and such
ornaments as she wished to wear in the
evening; then throwing over her should
ers a large waterprootcloak that entirely
concealed her dress, and putting on her
hat. she ran downstairs. pausing at the
dining room door to say, merrily:
"Good-byc aunt "A pleasant day toyou "
Her aunt smiled and waved her hand,
but just rs BERTHE was stepping into the
carriage, she called from the window.
you need not trouble Minnie to bring
you back, as You sometimes do. | will
send the carriage Tor you.
BERTHE nodded. and Hugh, hourishipg
his whip, drove rapidly away.
There" exclaimed Mrs. Horton, lean
ing back in her chair, 81 am rid of her for
the day, and if she dares disobey ne, and |
come back before l send the carriage, it |
will be easy locking hermit her chamber"
Harry started for Carton quite carly in
the morning, it beng a drive of some
twelve miles.
lie told his uncle that he should stay
with an acquaintance Of his that night,
and, with a pleasant good morning, he
drove off.
"Ah! the young rascal" muttered Mr.. |
Clifton, turning from the library window,
"he thinks no one can plan but himself; |
but we shall see who will Win"
He walked the floor for some time in
deep thought, then ringing the bell, he
ordered his horse and gig and drove
furiously away.
1t was nearly six o'clock in the after
noon wien we again glance in upon the
different actors of our little tale.
Mr. Clifton had returned and was
busy at his writing desk.
Let us look at the note he had just |
finished; it read thus
DEAR HARRY: Fred Miller was thrown |
from his horse this afternoon and serious
ly hurt, and they want you to go over
Immediately, and not knowing when you
would be at home, | thought l would |
send Philip after you.
Ysur uncle,
HC.
There" he exclaimed, "of course he |
will CO. and before he finds out the cheat |
another will claim the prize. Ha! ha !
haw
He then called Philip, the coachman,
and told him TO saddle horse and ride
towards Carton. and if he met Harry to
give the note to him
81 WONDER" he muttercd, "what the
old lady will say. have hardly thought |
of her today; tie fact is, | don't care
what size says. Let me once call BERTHE |
my wife, and will snap my fingers at
the whole of them"
Meanwhile Mrs. Horton was sitting in
her room before the large mirror, busily
arranging her hair.
A slight application of rose and white
had made her complexion almost as fair
as Bertie's. She looked nervous and I'M
easy and there WIS an expression of al
most re ret on her face.
81 know am doing wrong" she NUT
tered, "but | cannot stop; something
seems hErying ME forward"
Now just one look at BERTHE.
She and Minnie, together with Mr..
Carroll, the young pastor of Relton, and
Mr.. and Mrs. Miller were seated i'll the
parlor, for Minnie insisted that the ccrc-
mony should take place there instead Of
at the parsonage.
Very b.autiful looked BERTHE, with the
soft bloom on her check and happy
| light in her eyes.
ooh. won't there be a scene, BERTHE,
| when YOU get home" suddenly exclaimed
Minnie, black-eycd, laughing sprite OF
seventeen. "Mr. Carroll, Fred and are
going over to see the fun" And she clap
ped her hands and laughed merrilyin an
ticipation.
There he is. :" shouted Fred, who had
been standing by the window, and he
| dashed out of the door and down the
1 i ~.