Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1881-06-16
AN AGNOSTIC..
Ill,

Ill,
Mistortunes do not come single.
Scarcely had | realized that my present
advantageous connection was at an end
when received Geographic summons
home, with the intelligence that my
father had met with an accident in the
hunting field. The fatal termination
followed so suddenly that l arrived too
late, except to find myself disinherited in
his will, whereby his property was
divided between his wife and his nephew,
Frank.
1t was blow. On the other hand,
here was the clearest confirmation OF the
genuineness of my birth. Had my
fathers aversion to his brother been SO
deep-rooted as to induce him to palm oil
a spurious child as his own, it is incon-
ceivable that he should, after all, have
bequeathed half his possessions to Frank,
the representative of the hated branch.
had additional proof in the tendency to
relent toward me shown by my other
parent-obviously an assertion of the
maternal instinct seeing me disposed to
credit the reality of our relationship, She
not only forgave ALL (obstinately bent on
considering my legitimate doubts as a
with me her Northumberland it as
mine, left in her trust by my father,
who, She was convinced, would have
relented also had he lived to see nae.
For Nivia's sake | could not refuse.
small property on the south coast.
which my mother disliksd as residence,
it was agreed should take of her hands.
There | proposed shortly to establish
myself with my bride, and devote myself
for the years to come to love and philo-
sophical studies.
My connection with the parsonage re-
manned mistaken by late events. The
Spencer Fanfarrons did not look upon the
head of their family as inIallible. He
and had disagreed--they knew no more.
Probably was in the right-hat was
their view.
Viva wrote me the most aifectionate
letters, imploring me, as soon as / could
leave my mother, to come and visit them
at Lothian. l complied, bringing with
me my cousin Frank, whom they had
been so kind as to invite,
With Viva he was charmed. That
was unavoidable. Oh, that ho could
have refrained from sounding her praises
to me in terms of such limitless assurance :
Nothing would satisfy him but he must
extol her loveliness in doginatie phrases,
that forced OH me fatal reproachtal
sense of my very easy acquiescence in
these apparent personal attractions, az
cepted by me as real, withost the slight
est critical analysis!
That first evening he came into my
COON in raptures.
"Nonsuch, | congratulate you. Upon
my word you are the most fortunate OF
men. Impossible TO wish to see mere
delightful family As to Viva, she will
make amends to you for any injustice
inflicted by your father. feel sure she
Is an angel of goodness but what is posi-
tive is that she has the finest eyes and
complexion imaginable. As to her hair,
1t Is superb. Nothing like your country
beauties after all of that am con.
vinced.N
shuddered, feeling more uncomforta-
bic every moment. One reckless, down.
right affirmation after another fell on IN,
like shower of blows tardv, un
pleasant awakening. l was not over
anxious to awake, heartily wished
Frank would be quiet hut THAI he would
not.
Put any London belle by her side -
pursued the unsophisticated man, "anC
you will see the difference. one is tinsel
the other is truth, and that's the fact. -
gave violent start. "Pray say N,
more, petitioned feebly.
What is the matter 80 he asked
astOnished.'
"Nothing.M
May | not state what yon know hes
Of all that your ancee is wonderful
beautiful girl No oAense, hope -
cob, no, none, - | returned, Mtttlv
but my sleep was spoiled ir that an,
many a night. Philosophy had reasserte,
her claim to universal empire. Neve
again did permit my gaze to feast Oh
the exquisite bloom Of my Vivias cheek
the CLEAN of her eye, without Challenger
the correctness OF my impression tina
youth and health alone could have pro
duced them and recalling the necessit,
of submitting them to some test, an
distinguishing between proofs an,
guesses.
one afternoon Viva and we're aloA
in the library. The others were out q
doors Frank was already busy payin
his addresses to her younger sister, G
whom he seemed much epr,s. Viva "a
SAANAAAB bfDA 7'lllt NIL n 1 NdltlllAE ne
narrowly. Oh, that nertariuelilip hue
so fresh-seeming, so clear Yet. | kno,
this can be artiicially produced O
heightened, and so as to dely detection
The tint of her hair, her penciled eyelids
were touches so uncommon that Sley LEI
me no excuse for discardng the art
concealing art hypothesis. They locke
real, but might not be in the region
IN II
ambiguous. Obviously there was
choice of Interpretation, In such case
it is found we can see what We determin
to see. l saw nature, but nature of al
might equally well have worked tn
existing delightful effects.
was gazing at her SO fxedly tina
presently she glanced up, colored NOR
deeply, then asked like Frank, "Wha
is the matter i''
Again | replied, "Nothing."
How dare utter the question ON m
lips, g Vivid, do you paint :" 1t must Civ
mortal otfense, be the truth what
might. And her simple denial woul
count for nothing. She who can roug
to delude will keep up the delusion b.
word of mouth. So l regarded he
sorrowfully, half wishing she had beel
pam ana pale; and despalrlng OF tn
torturing doubt being ever finally
dispelled.
Viva threw aside her work; W
walked out into the garden, and seated
ourselves on bench in the shade. Sh
toon by her inimitable chatter relieved
she sombre hue Of my meditationS. Tn
Idea that had haunted me was after all
mere possibility. | forgot all about it
as We fingered there.
Viva was not sentimental, but SOM
chance influence to-day had thrown he
into tender, melting mood. 1t delighte-
me. Why could she not stop there
Why not rest satisfied with half. words
halt-phrases Of vague fondness Little b!
little her tone became more assured
Were ever two people happier than We
Were ever two better suited TO eacl
otherl
There is no one in the world will
whom | would shange places, = she said
oharmingly; II know | should not b