The Democratic advocate., 1905-02-25
SHENANDOAH PRODUCTS

The voices of the young folk had aroused
them both, and they had been uninten-
tional listeners to the plan Of elopement,
each, however, thinking that no one else,
except the parties themselves, knew any
thing about it.
Harry and BERTHE were orphans, and
had been adopted by their relatives when
quite young.
They had been acquainted nearly two
years, BERTHE having finished her educa-
ton in the same town where Harry was
studying law, but their respective guar
dians had not been informed of the fact
until about six months previous to the
opening OF our story, when Mr.. Clifton
bought the house adjoining Mrs. Horton 5.
1t was then that the young people sought
and gained their consent
BERTHE was by far the most beautiful girl
for miles around, and, after Harry went
back to his studies, his uncle, bachelor
of five and forty, became SO enamoured Of
her charms, that notwithstanding he knew
that his nephew was her accepted lover,
he actually proposed, and was refused
He was so chagrined by this refusal,
that he resolved, if he could not possess
the little fairy himself, that his nephew
should not have her
So he muttcred, rising hastily, and
walking rapidly towards his house, "they
have taken their destiny in their own hands
have they? Well, well, that is just the
thing as long as know anything about it;
it will give me better opportunity than I
ever dreamed of having. All, my little
beauty you will be mine at last; [ will see
that your lover does not meet you, and
at seven O clock it will be too dark for you
to tell the difference between Harry Cliff
ton of twenty five and Herbert Clifton of
forty five. Ha! ha! ha!
But let us turn our attention to BERTHE 3
aunt.
She sat as though stunned for little
time after Harry and BERTHE had left the
summer house. and then seemed to realize
what she had heard, she rose and walked
with a quick, impatient step to the house
She was a widow of about forty, below
the medium height, slight and delicate
looking, and must at Bertie's age, have
very much resembled her, who, by the
way. was her namesake; and as her sister,
Berries mother and herself married
brothers, their surname was also the same.
She entered the house, went directly to
her room, threw herself into low char,
and leaned her head on the table.
ooh! cannot give him up: she muir
INJURED; love him too well. y
After while she rose and looked at
herself in the full length mirror.
II 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 expecta-
tions, as we'll as he now does the pen
niless Bertie Horton of nineteen.
BERTHE did not wake the next morning
until the sun shone brightly in her face;
and then, springing up she made hasty
toilet and tripped down stairs, for it was
some time past the usual breakfast hour.
Her aunt greeted her with lovely rally
on her tardiness, and was very pleasant
during the meal.
After breakfast BERTHE tried in vain to
think of an excuse to go over to Minnie
Miller s; her aunt had hardly allowed her
to leave the house alone since Harry came
home
She was making herself really unhappy
over it when Mrs. Horton came in.
''Bertie dear, she exclaimed dom you
want to 60 over to Minnie today?'
How Berries heart bounded, but she
answered indiferently.
81 would like to 90 well enough, but
won't you be lonely, aunt
"No indeed" returned Mrs. Horton;
~ will tell Hugh to have the carriage
ready, and you can go as soon as you
like
BERTHE did not need any more urging,
but flew upstairs to get ready. 81 won
der what makes aunt so pleasant this morn
ing, she unused? ''But, if she knew all,
wouldn there be storm.
And Bertie 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 orna-
ments as she wished to wear in the even
ing; then throwing over her shoulders
large waterproof cloak that entirely con-
eealed her dress, and putting on her hat,
she ran downstairs, pausing at the dining
room door to say uerrilv.
nGood bye aunt, pleasant day to you. y
Her aunt smiled and waved her hand,
but just as Berthe was stepping into the
carriage, she called from the window:
lou need not trouble Minnie to bring
you back, as you sometimes do l will send
the carriage for you?
BERTHE nodded, and Hugh, fourishing
his whip, drove rapidly away.
There, exclaimed Mrs. Horton, lean
ing back In her chair, 81 am rid of her
1or the day, and if she dares disobey me,
ana come back hafnro cacd sLa oorx;ora