The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-09-03
vALERIA,s rRruMrH.

vALERIA's TRIUMPH.
IL will confess that have all along
considered you woman with his
tory and mystery"
The result, l suppose, of the rsth-
er unusual manner # our becoming
acquainted" observed Miss Vincy,
with a slight smile at the gentleman
lazily leaning on the back OF his chair,
facing the sofa where she sat EN-.
broidering.
II only know that am much in
debted to that little dog for barking
at you,n said Mr.. Runsen, answering
her smile, and gently disengaging q
soft white hand from its occupation
to hold it in his firm clasp
"Oh, it's 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 relaxing into plsyfulress, "but
| if rumor is 20 be credited, your
clothes suffered in that encounter if
you did not, Mr.. Runsen," and Miss
yincy's lovely hazel eyes rested
graciously upon tie gentleman VISA
vis.
Yes, it is quite true that | lost q
coat-tail and my heart.' responded
Runsen, with great solemnity: "but,n
leaning forward TO smooth the soft
braids of her down.csst head, II have
sued for heavy damages, and won nv
case, have l not, Valeria ?"
"But have you spoken yet to your
mother 7" asked Miss yincy, with ap.
parent irrelevance.
"Yes," with quick frown at the
recollection.
"And what does she say ?u Miss
Niney Withdrew her hand as she
spoke and became very intent upon
her embroidery.
81 am almost ashamed to let You
know" said Mr.. Runeen, with slow
reluctance in his tones, "oDly that it
is your right to be fully aware Of the
sort of mother-in-lsw YOU will have.
Valeria. | must try to keep in mind
that it is my mother OF whom I speak
but do not end it hard to &C.
knowledge that she has altogether
declined to Call upon you--sbe is
what you might cal woman of the
world, and il seems she has already
picked ont a wife suited to nv posi-
tion, as she puts it; and when l a.
together declined to come into her
views we both got into proper rage,
and il all ended in nv taking up my
hat and leaving after she had declared
tragicsily that should be disinherit-
ed aHd my cousin succeed Ia her fa-
yor. But, after all, | think we might
manage to pull along on my salary 10
the bank, Valeria, and / can give up |
wearing kid gloves and smoke .
pipe" and Mr. Runsen's rapid cen.
tence become o Slightly anxious inter-
rogatlve at its close
"But do you think I ought to mar
ry you in opposition to your mothers
wishes ?" said yaleria, quietly.
"By heavens, do" said Mr.. Run.
sen with sudden vehemence and fash.
ing eyes. II am neither q boy nor Q |
puppet, and If thought you would
throw me over because Of my moth
er's folly and ambition, would go
straight to the devil"
"Oh, pray don't" interrupted Miss
viucy, with gesture Of distress. II
fully intend to marry you've are
both rational beings and are neither
of US children. | agree with you that
it would be an injustice to ourselves
to sacrifice the happiness Of both our
lives without q reasonable excuse
but, Philip, perhaps your mother has
some good reason for declining me as
her daughter.-perhape she even sus-
poets me as an adventures, with .
quick glance ct Mr.. Runsen's face.
"But then" said that gentleman,
with an impatient pull ct his mus
tacbe, mo matter what nv mother
thinks or says, so long as you are
mine, yaleris, /" taking both her hands
in q large clasp, and looking deep into |
her grave eyea, "yaleris. / trust you
from my heart--snd although your
past is not known to me, yet when
look into your eyes / feel that your
soul is as beautiful as yourself. Il
love you and believe in you, as / do |
in my religion--by faith, and / can |
not express how deep ie my gratitude
for the gift Of your love-
Valeria's eyes were wet with un- |
shed tears when be had spoken, for It
was not often that this gentleman
offered such words of serious tender
ness.
"Philip, / thank you from my
heart,v she answered, after q moments
pause, and her pale, lovely face raised
to bis. But never intended ron
should marry me without full knowl
edge Of my life before ! came TO this
qniet little country place. Here 10 |
your arms it is even sweet to remem-
Der l have not always been 90 happy.
Philip, until three months ago, / ex-
pected to be another mans Wife-no
matter who be wasn-with IN arch
smile at her lovers contracted broWsl |