The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-07-09

SO is gambling. Yet have heard you
say that you believed you were born with
q passion for gambling and you have
needed help to savo you from yourself.
Still you have no mercy for another sim
ner."
Harold Wynne looked at his presumptu-
GUS young relative in astonishment Could
this be tho thoughtless youth who had
lived under his roof, looking up to him as
to a father, and who was now constituting
himself judge and jury to arraign and
condemn
Before ho could speak the door opened,
and Ethel herself entered beautiful liar
indeed, her large, guileless blue eyes wide
and wondering with innocent curiosity
"There she is to speak for herself, - said
Mr., Wynne. "Ethel, did you not tell me
you were at home last night all the even
ing9"
Ethel looked anxiously from the face Of
the uncle to that Of the nephew; but, see-
ing no help in either, she answered sweetly:
"Y-es, Guardy, was in my own room,
learning the lines you gave me to commit
from Longfellow l can recite them now"
Ralph Meadows was convulsed with
suppressed merriment, but Mr.. Wynne
saw nothing amusing In the occasion, as
Ethel, with stately pose and dramatic
gestures, reclted the lines:
II by night the frogs are croaking,
Kindle but torch's fire.
Ha, how soon they all arc silent
So truth silences tho liar
Harold Wynne applauded his ward, but
his nephew was undcniably angry
81 have read somewhere, he said, "that
truth was greatly overestimated virtue.
If things were to go on like this, should
be inclined to adopt that opinion
Mr.. Wynne returned persistently to the
original grievance. "Where were you last
night, EthclP"
''I have told you, Guardy"
"You were out walking with mo, Ethel.
Why do you not tell himP" asked Ralph.
"I-I forgot"
"Therep' said Mr.. Wynne angrily. "See
how ono lie begets another. Why could
she not have told mo that in the first
placer / must sny 1t was an improper pro-
oeeding. Where was Mrs. Fioining?'
"In her bed, sleoping the sleep of the
just We were in by o'clock If there
was any blame, it belongs to me, as 1
asked Ethel for company"
1T is not necessary, Ralph, that you
should shoulder Ethels responsibilities, "
his uncle said in an annoyed manner; she
is old enough to act for herself | some
times wish'- He stopped and remained
silent.
Not that you had never taken mo into
your lifo--donit say thatl" cried tho girl
slipping down on her knees beside him
and pressing her sweet lips to his hard
hand. "You have beon too good and kind
to me, and can never repay you-and |
will try, Guardy, indeed will, to profit by
your goodness. Forgive me. :"
She rose with shining eyes and like
~
nor did she once cast glance Mt tho
younger man, who In his heart was call
ing his relative jellyfish of Judgment
and other unapostolic names.
When the girl was gone from tho room,
Harold Wynne clasped his hands at the
back Of his neck and sat deeply thinking.
"Ill do itl, he said at last "It Is my
duty and the only way to save her. She
needs strong, firm hand to guido her. l
know her failing and will temper Justice
with mercy. Ralph, listen to me mo.
ment''
Yes, sir" Ralph laid his book down
lit was doubtful If he had been reading
and prepared to give respectful attention
to what his uncle was about to say.
81 have decided to marry Ethel.
"Indeed, sir Z"
alt will make no difference to you, as
your property will remain yours by law. I
have enough without that. And you will
make your home here with Ethel and me-
She likes you, and If she did not it would
make no difference. She must respect my
wishes. +"
II should think, )" said tho younger man
slowly, "that you would hesitate TO place
your happiness In the keeping of one who
tells liesli
Z Not at all, /" answered his uncle oooIly.
HThat is the one flaw in an otherwise per-
feet character. / shall read to her treatises
on the Philosophy of Truth and other
literature OF the same moral aim and strive
to teach her to love truth for truths sake"
His nephew smiled He did not know
much of that delicate and complex shrine,
a woman's heart, but he felt assured his
uncle knew even less than he. To be CO.
creed into telling the truth seemed to him
poor way of avoiding falsehood. But he
merely asked;
Have you spoken to Ethel2'
mo, but l will see her tonight"
Mr.. Wyhne touched a bell and sent word
to his ward that he wished to see her. She
came as prsmptly as If she had been wait
ing for his message. Was 1t possible she
anticipated the honor about to be conferred
upon herP
Before Harold Wynne could speak bis
nephew advanced to meet Ethel and had
taken her hand
you need not sacrifice yourself, uncle, "
he said briefly. "Ethel is my wife We
were married last night. ''-Detroit Free
Press.