Daily Republican., 1878-12-13
"vlNClT vERITAs.,

Jubt tut bpots
close my eyes, and see myself again
in the summer of 1865. A very pretty
girl, with dark eyes and ch.snut hair;
and wear cheerful but rather shy
.xpression--which, both my good old
uncle and Guy Runcorne, our wealthy
neigh Dor, say greatly improve my
looks.
do not believe my uncle loves me
more than he does his own handsome
daughter, who only returned from a
French finishing school last week.
Now, as my thoughts take this turn,
my face wears an anxious, ,wistful look,
for | remember how she dazzled US all
with her brilliant beauty and accom-
pishments, and how Guy quite neglect
ed me for her, " hen, before her arrival
| knew 1t was but a question OF few
days ere he would have been my accept
ed lover, and hard, unwomanly ideas
came into my head as thought that
my cousin was stealing him from me-.
Now, when look back, wonder at
the strength and depth of my passion.
Such All ordinary sort Ct fellow, with
quite his share of faults, as we'll as the
virtues common to us poor mortals.
envied Maige her beauty, while |
hated myself for doing so; but | was a
woman, after ala weak, faulty wo
man and she was slowly, but surely
taking the man loved from me.
So, walking home, wished | had
been to a Boulogne finishing school.
But had no right to complain; was
only til" Wears poor, dependent neice,
so any "scraped up" education was
good enough for me!
Saunterlng up the gravel walk lead
ing to the Vicarage, it did not improve
the condition Of my mind to see, through
the long French windows, my cousin,
looking Overwhelmingly lovely, with that
soft ''illusion" so peculiarly becoming
to her dainty complexion, rouud her
neck ana hands, presiding over the tea
table, with Guy as her assidous attend
ant.
Feeling that my face had flushed
with annoyance, turned down mar
row little path that divided our garden
from the high road and, as | went, |
pulled viciously at the wild roses that
thickly studded our side of the hedge.
$50 Miss Vivian returned home, "
said voice from the rose: .hrar size
is great beauty. Do you know any
thug Of her'
| am ashamed to say that almost
crept along in my anxiety to hear the
answer.
MY young sister, who was at school
with her, says 1t was talked in the
school that Miss Vivian used to meet,
clandestinely, of course, Frenchnan.
Of excellent family, until she grew
tired, and Tilted him.
"Runcorne is in love with her al
ready, | am afraid. I'd rather he
would marry the wears neice, though
she's vain little thing"
"If can't have him, she shan't," p"
muttered, and with this wicked dog
in the manger thought in my heart, |
entered the drawing room in time to
see a deep blush overspread my cousins
cheek at someimplied compliment from
Guy.
If ever | saw the first dawn of love-
a pure, ardent love-on womans 3 face,
it was on Madge Vivian's when ap-
preached, with the deliberate inten-
ton to do all in my power to wreck her
newly. found happiness.
How vividly | remember commenc-
ing my evil work!
How turned and twisted the story
had overheard, until succeeded in
holding my cousin up to Guys scorn as
a heartless jilt,
So, day after day did persevere, and
ere week was over, Madge grew pale
and spritless, and Guy wretchedly
restless. He was trying to conquer
his love for her without success; and
while he hesitated to ask an explana-
tion, she was too proud to tender it un-
asked.
At length the crisis came. Guy had
received a message demanding his i'm
mediate presence in London and by a
determined look on his face, conjec
tured, and rightly, that he had jormed
some resolution regarding Madge.
1t was evening, but the summer twi-
tight was clear and light. | was sitting
in the library, in the deep embrasured
window, and my eyes were gradually
being opened to a 'ense of my great
wickedness, when Guy entered hastily,
and drawing the materials towards him
sat down to write.
was just about to move, when he
arrested my attention by murmuring
II will write, and if she does not reply
to my letter, will never see her
more."
So he was writing to her. All my
bitterness rose again, and taking up a
book, sat still in the shadow. 1t was
growing dark. and could only see to
read the heading, which was printed
in large type-one of my nncle's ser
mons. There was the title, "Vinctt
Veritts'-"Truth Conquers."
"Viact Veritas'--'Truth conquers,"
repeated |, again and again. until the
words seemed burnt into my very brain
until could think Of nothing else--
until, in a moment of impatience,
threw the book on the floor, making
Guy, who was Just enclosing his letter
in an envelope, start from his chair.
Then, with another lie on my lips,
apologized, saying had no idea he was
there.
miss Vivian has kept her room all