Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-30


physician and then announced to the
family that something strange was the
matter with Bertha. The doctor was
asked to come at once. He did so and
was Immediately taken to the bedside
of the little girl. Though he had often
attended her. she had no remembrance
of him whatever.
1t was plain that overnight Bertha
had been attacked with amnesia, or
loss OF memory. How long it would
last, whether she would ever recover.
was uncertain. Her parents were stun
ned by the blow. Their daughter had
up to that day been bright attrac-
tive girl just budding into womanhood.
Now suddenly she had become. as it
were, another being-not another per-
son, for her BODY remained the same.
But all the past fifteen years of her
life in which she had been tenderly
cared for by her parents. all her love
for them, all her associations, had
been suddenly blotted out
parent is more likely to love a
crippled child than a perfect one. and,
although whatever affection was to he
derived thereafter from Bertha must
grow again. her father and mother Law
ished upon her still greater love than
before. For a time they kept close
watch over her. never permitting her
to leave the house; but. since she
seemed in other respects than loss of
memory perfectly well. they finally
gave her more liberty. and in time she
was returned to school. She was
fairly good scholar. but did not take
the high stand in her classes as before
her affiiction.
/ An attachment had been in process
of formation between Bertha and Paul
/ Drury. youth of eighteen. who at the
time of her atiiictiOn had recently en-
/ tered college. That they were great
friends was known to their parents,
/ though the latter were not aware of
/ any more serious feeling between
/ them. Soon after Rerthas stroke Paul
came home on a short visit. and the
Marsields were anxious to know if
J she had forgotten him as we'll as the
others. He came TO see her and re-
ceived the first shock of his life when
Bertha, passing through a room where
/ he was. failed TO recognize him.
Paul when he next went home on
vacation received another disappOint-
ment. hearing that Bertha had re-
placed the intimacy that had existed
between them. A young man Of TWEEN
ty. George Atwood. was known to be
. with her great deal. Since Bertha
was now sixteen years old it was to
be inferred that these attentions came
from a man TO a woman rather than
from boy TO Il girl. This naturally
added to PauI's disappointment.
For a short time after Bertha's loss
OF memory she was told of the rela-
tionship that had existed between her
/ and various persons, but 1t was found
better to cease giving her such infor-
nation. though all those who had pre-
viously been intimate with her were
aware Of her condition. She was not
told Of the boy and girl attachment
that had existed between her and Paul
Drury. and whenever they met she
passed him without recognition. Being
/ a young man Of deep feeling and withal
now conscious Of his love for the
Bertha that had been. these meetings
were inexpressibly painful to him.
The affair between Atwood and
Bertha progressed and, when Bertha
reached her nineteenth year. came tC
a head. Atwood for a time had not
been told that Bertha had had another
identity. When he was informed OF
the :act he was much troubled and at
tempted to withdraw FROM his init
macy with her. But he fond 1t i'm
possible. Youth is reckless and prone
TO take upon itself prospective troubles