Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1881-04-28
DIAMOND OR PASTE.

DIAMOND OR PASTE.
.'Humph r. said Mr. Daniel Somerset,
"a always thought you were fool Vivian,
aud now | know it. The idea-you want
toget married :"
Vivian Severn laughed, showing his
handsome teeth--a good joyous
laugh-in no wise affected by his uncle's
sharp ungraciousness, for Mr.. Severn had
not been acquainted with Mr.. Daniel
Somerset 20 years for nothing.
sis it SO very alarming, Uncle Danielf'
he asked, promptly.
"a think so. Alarming-yes, beyond
question. You're an extravagait young
dandy, with not an idea in your NOODLE
beyond the cut of your clothes, or the
composition OF a button-hole bouquet in
February-withn no Judgment greater than
that required to decide the flavor of the
soup at your club dinner. And you want
to get married y --4.--s -5-=
Vivian was used to it, and he knew
the irascible old bachelors bark was
infinitely worse than his bite. He leaned
back in his chair and listened to the
petulant TRADE.
''rhat may all be So Uncle Daniel: all
the same, think BERTHE and will
risk it," r..-.= 5.-.--
''Bertie BERTHE who ~
s'Aliss Ethelbertha Gray, uncle. -
why didn't you say so, then A very
beautiful, accomplished girl-after you
because she supposes you are my heir. y
''uncle Dan -
Vivian Strengthened up in his chair,
sudden little fire in his blue eyes.
'unele Daniel, that is not true
81 lie, do | Very we'll, sir. FIN used
to such accusations from you. ITO ahead
and make a consummate idiot of yourself
if you want to-but mark my word,
you'll rue the day you ever married
Ethelbertha Gray. know the way of
the world have been taught its
treachery, its policy, its utter want of
human kindness before you were out of
dresses
''But with all due respect for your
opinion, uncle, you don't know BERTHE
Gray as well as | know her. Wait--n
Mr.. Somerset jumped up from his
chair in passion.
Don't speak to me about it Mind,
not another word, unless you wish to be
disinherited -
Then Vivian looked angry and rose
from his chair.
~ would not hesitate q second between
your money and the woman | love. Do
as you please | shall"
And after he was gone, Mr.. Somerset
walked uneasily up and down his elegant
library, his forehead all puckered up, his
mouth contorted in u savage pout, his
bright, little gray eyes swapping and
flashing.
'The fool Not to see it is his money
only and solely his property that have
won the girl. know her. Pretty as 8
picture, great big dark eyes and com
plexlon like lily-leaf, and a little red
mouth and yellow hair-a girl brought
up to paint on velvet and bet at the races
and tiirt through summer at Newport
and winter in the city. A pretty Vassai
College finished girl, whose sole end and
aim OF life is to make good match. And
that young idiot iinagines she is i'll love
with him l''
Twenty-four hours later, just as Mr.
Vivian Severn was taking dinner a
Delmonico's. q waiter handed him not,
from Uncle Daniel Somerset. III which
that gentlemen, always very erratic il
his habits, briefly stated that he was OF
for trip to the Yosemite valley, to b,
gone couple or three months, ant
advised Vivian to consider what lie hat
said to him on certain subject.
And Mr.. Severn folded up the note ant
went on with his stuffed egg plant ant
roast turkey in undiscomfted composure
Il wish he knew Berthe BETTER h
thought, with glad thrill of fond pride
But it was destined that Mr.. DAME
Somerset should never know prett
BERTHE Gray any better-decreed by Fat
that he never even should see her again
for, six weeks later, rs she sat in he
elegant little boudoir sewing som
foaming lace in the neck and sleeves of
black velvet evening costume, Nh
VIVIAN Severn made his appearance, pal
and grave, as she never had seen him be
fore. .=
II thought you were not coming ii
evening, Vivian, she said, in swe.
way that told how welcome he was.
He took seat beside her little lo
chair, and gently, suthoritatively, too
the laces from her lap.
81 have bad news for you, nv darlin.
and wanted to break it TO you at once
BERTHE nestled her little dimpled hand
IN his, eontdinglv, sympathetically.
~
you alive and we'll here beside me, I
news could he so very dreadful, becau.
know papa and mamma are both safe.
saw them minute ago What is !
DEAR
Severn looked at her, "a wonderful gra,
tenderness in his blue eyes.
My Uncle Somerset Is dead, BERTHE
California, where he has been travelit
several wpalrs / al a.,
heir to his $4,000, 200 mit--" al
his strong, brave voice quivered ever
slightly-'tor your sake am appall,
to be notified that he has left ali Ii
fortune to a charitable institution, a
beggar, Bertie!
Her soft, dusky eyes grew wider al
more serious.
"oh, Vivian! A beggar It SCUM
awful !"
"Ies, it does. But wouldI
care if it wasn't for You, my darling ,
means that must give you up, for 3
not cowardly enough to ask you to sha
poverty with me on clerkship of
thousand year.
She looked at him with a rich crns
flush surging into her cheeks, and t
tears rushed to her eyes as She releas
her hands from his, and flung her ar
about his neck.
Vivian p she said, passiouately, "
you think will let you give me up
love you too well for that A beggar o
prince, you are the same to me-my kin
my love -
And he folded her to his heart with
great, almost speeches. tenderness a
JOY.