American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1878-08-03
vALERIA's TRIUMPH.


ssI viii confess that have all elong
considered you q woman with his
tory and mystery"
The result, I suppose, of the rather
unusual manner of our becoming ac-
quainted," observed Miss vincy, with a
slight smile at the gentleman lazily lean
ing ON the back of his chair, facing the
sofa where she sat embroidering.
"a only know that am much indebt-
cd to that little dog for barking at you,
said Mr.. Runsen. answering her smile,
and gently disengaging a soft white
hand from its occupation, to hold it in
his firm clasp.
"0h! it is all very well, Mr.. Runsen,
for you to pretend that you did me no
serious service, when you saved me from
that horrible dog" commenced Miss
vincy with much earnestness, then re-
Taxing into playfulness-s but if rumor
il to be credited, your clothes suffered
in that encounter if you did not, Mr..
Runsen," and Miss vincy's lovely hazel
eyes rested graciously on the gentleman
Uis-a-uis.
I" Yes, it is quite true that I lost q
coat-tal and my heart, !" responded Mr..
Runsen with great solemnity, " but"
leaning forward to smooth the soft
braids Of her downcast head, "I have
sued Tor heavy damages, and won my
case, have not, valeria?"
But have you spoken yet to your
motherf" asked Miss vincy with appa-
rent irrelevance.
Eyes" with quick frown at the re-
collection.
s. And what does she say?' Miss Vim
cy withdrew her hand as she spoke, and
became very intent upon her en-
broidery.
I am almost ashamed to let you
know" said Mr.. Runsen, with q slow
reluctance in his tones, "only that it is
your right to be fully aware of the sort
of nother-in-law you will have, Vale
ria Unjust try to keep in mind that it
Is my mother Of whom speak-but 1
do find It hard to acknowledge that she
has altogether declined to call upon you
she Is what you might call woman
Of the world. and it seems she had al
ready picked me out . wife suited to
my position IS she puts it; and when
I altogether declined to come into her
views We both got into a proper
1ngs, and it all ended in my taking
up my hat and leaving, after she had
deol4led tragically that I should be dis
inEeEIzsd, and my cousin succeed in her
favor. But after all, think we might
manage to pull along on my salary in
tie bank, sValsria, and I can give up
wearing lid gloves, and smoke q pipeP''
and Mr.. Runsen's rapid sentence be-
came . slightly anxious interrogative at
it's close.
but do you think 1 ought to marry
you in opposition to your mothers
wishes r, hid valeria quietly.
"By heavens, do" said Mr.. Run
sen, with sudden vehemence and fash
ing eyes. 81 am neither a boy nor q
puppet, and If thought you would
throw me over, because of my mothers
folly and ambition, should 60 straight
to the devil.n
" Oh, pray DON'T" interrupted Miss
Vincy With gesture of distress"
fully intend to marry you've are both
= RATIONAL beings, and we are neither OF
us children. agree with you that il
would Be an injustice to ourselves to
sacrifice the happiness of both our lives,
without = reasonable excuse--but Philip,
perhaps your mother has some reason
for declining me as her daughter-in-law
perhaps she even suspects me as an
adventures" with q quick glance at
Mr.. Runsen's face.
''But then," said the gentleman with
J m impatient pull at his mustache, "no
matter what my mother thinks or says,
:. % long Is you are mine, Valeria," tax
! ing both her hands in large clasp,
4 and looking deep into her gray eyes.
ssvsleria, trust you from my heart,
and although your past is not known to
ne, yet when look into your eyes,
= feel that your soul is as beautiful as
yourself. loveyou and believe in you,
- I do in my religion-by faith, and ]
can not express how deep is my graft.
tude for the gift of your love.''
Valeria's eyes were wet with unshed
tsars when he had spoken, for it was
mot often this gentleman uttered such
words of serious tenderness.
''Philip, I thank you from my heart, >
she answered, after a moments pause
and her pale, lovely face was raised
steadily to his. "But / never intended
you should marry me without full
knowledge of my life before came tc
this quiet little country place. Here in
your arms it is even sweet to remember
have not always been so happy. Phil
Up, until three months ago ex
pected to be another mans wife
no matter who he was" with
IN arch smile at her lover.
contracted brows-"we are nothing
to each other now. At first, when we
! were engaged, thought 1 loved him
it was SO delightful to imagine myself
beloved-but soon found cared moth.
ing for him. shrank from having him
come near; could not bear that he