Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-04-01
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF AN AGHOSFIC.
fc JEOLUDED.l

Misfortunes do not come single. Scarcely
had 1 realized that my present advan
tageous connection was at an end when
received a Geographic summons home
with the intelligence that my father hat
met with an accident in the hunting field
The fatal termination followed so suddenly
that l arrived too late, except to find my
self 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 ciearest confirmation Of the genu
ineness of my birth. Had my fathers
aversion to his brother been SO deep-rooted
as to induce him to palm off a spurious child
as his OVID. it is inconceivable that he
should, after all bequeath half his posses
sions to Frank, the representative of the
hated branch. had additional proof il
the tendency to relent toward me shown
by my other pareut-obviously an asser.
ton Of the msteraal instinct Seeing me
disposed to credit the reality of our rela
tionship, she not only forgave all (obsti
nately bent on considering my legitimate
doubts as short madness), but insisted on
sharing with me her inheritance-regard
ing it as mine, left IN her trust by my
father, who, she was convinced, would
have relented also had he lived to see me.
For Vivia's sake could not refuse. A
small property on the south coast, which
my mother disIkea as a residence, it was
agreed l should take off her hands. There
proposed shortly to establish myself with
my bride, and devote myself for the years
to come TO love and philosophical studies.
My connection with the parsonage re-
manned unshaken by late events. The
Spencer Fanfarrons did not look upon the
head of their family as infallible. He and
/ had disagreed-.hey knew no more.
Probably I was in the right-that was
their view.
Viva wrote me the most affectionate let
tiers, imploriug me, as soon as L could leave
my mother, to come and visit them at Lsll-
ham. l complied. bring with me my cousin
Frank, whom they had been SO kind as to
invite.
With Viva he was charmed. That was
unavoidable. GA, that he could have re-
trained from sounding her praises to me in
terms of such limitless assurance Nothing
would satisfy him but he must extol hel
loneliness in dogmatic phrases, that forced
on me fatal reproachful sense of my very
easy acquiescence in these apparent per
sonal attractions, accepted by me as real
without the slightest critical analysis
The first evening he came into my room
in raptures.
Norsuch, congratulate you. Upor
my word you are the most fortunate Of
men. Impossible to wish to see more de.
ightful family As to Viva, she will
make amends to you for any injustice in.
ficted by your father. l feel sure she il
an angel of goodness but what is positive
is that she has the finest eyes and complex.
ion Imaginable. As to her hair, it is su.
perb. Nothing like your country beauties
after all of that am convinced"
l shuddered, feeling more uncomfortable
every moment. One reckless, downright
affirmation after another fell on me like a
shower of blows; tardy, unpleasant
awakening. l was not over anxious to
awake. heartily wished Frank would be
quiet but that he would not
Put any London belle by her side, "
pursued that unsophisticated man, and
you will see the difference. One is tinsel,
the other is truth, and that's the fact"
gave a violent start. Pray, say no
more" petitioned feebly.
What is the matter - he asked, aston
ished.
Nothing"
May not state what you know best
OF all-that your fancee is n wonderfully
beautiful girl? No offense, hope? -
"Oh, no, noue," returned, bitterly ;
but my sleep was spoiled for that and many
claim to universal empire. Never again
did permit my gaze to feast on the ex-
quisite bloom of my Vivias cheek, the
r,ia 81 bar ~ Ill h.
correctness of my impression that youth
and health alone could have produced
them and recalling the necessity of sub
uniting them to some test, and distinguish
ing between the proofs and guesses.
One afternoon Viva and l were alone in
the library. The others were out of doors.
Frank was already busy paying his ad-
dresses to her younger sister, Of whom he
seemed much epris. Viva sat bending
over some work, watching her narrowly.
Oh, that necsarinq-like hue, so fresh. SEEM
ing, so clear Yet, l know this can be
artifcially produced or heightened, and SO
as to defy detection. The tint of her hair,
her penciled eysl;ds. were touches SO I'M
common that they lefs me no excuse for
discarding the srt-oorceaIing art hypoth.
esis. They looked real, but might | not
signs were ambiguous. Obviously there
was choice of Interpretation. In such
cases it is found We can see what we de.
termine to see. / saw nature, but nature
Or art might equally well have worked the
existing delightful effects.
/ was gazing st her so fixedly that
presently she glanced MP, colored more
deeply, then asked like Frank, ''What is
the matter?"
Again replied, Nothing"
How dare / utter the question on my
lips, 'Vivia, do you psint?" It must
give mortal ofense. be the truth what il
might And her simple denial would count
for nothing. She who can rouge tn deludt
will keep up the delusion by word oi
mouth. So ! regarded her sorrowfully
half wishing she had been plain and pale
and despairing Of the torturilg doubt bein.
ever finally dispelled.
Viva threw aside her work we walked
out into the garden, and seated ourselves
on a bench in the shade, She soon by hel
inimitable chatter relieved the sombre hu,
of my meditations. The idea that haC
haunted me was after all a mere posi-
biIty. forgot all about it as we fingered
there.
Viva was not sentimental, but somt
chance influence today had thrown hel
into tender, melting mood. l. delighted
me. Why could shs not stop there
Why not rest satisfied with haif-words
half-phrases or vague fondness! Little by
little her tone became more assured
Were ever two people happier than we
Were ever two better suited to each other
'TheIe is no one in the world Will
whom | would change places" she said
charmingfy; =" I know | should not be thi
gamer, = snd she laughed play fully.
that how yea feel y
"Dear love demonstrated gently
"you express yourself with an exaggerated
confidence. Snoh assurance, harmless
though it may be. is very liable to leat
us into error"
She smiled.