The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-07-11
A BEAUTIFUL LIAR.

with 1rr1tated and emphatic steps. His
brows were drawn together by a frown
THAI looked like i'll temper, but may have
been perplexity, and his lips were set in a
straight line that showed the possession OF
a will, determined and self reliant-a
handsome man, well groomed, no longer
young, but in that golden prime where the
alert soul knows its own value.
Ethel has told me another falsehood,"
he said in cold, even tones, addressing his
nephew, Ralph Meadows, who sat in a
window retreat reading up some problem
in civil engineering and who laughed sud
denly, as if the subject impressed him hui
morously instead of shocking him, as his
uncle expected.
"Poor EthelH' he said. ST don't be-
nevs it is in that child to speak the truth"
"Child!'' His uncle WINGED. There was
too forced a contrast presented to his inn
agination by the term "You forget,
Ralph, that Ethel is 1s-quite old enough
to have some idea of moral responsibility.
'True, uncle, - answered Ralph, with 9
yawn, tbut should as soon expect to find
a kitten with conscience. She has never
been allowed to think or act for herself,
but has always been a puppet in others
hands,
L
sharply.
''No; I only do not expect too much of
her. She has beautiful character, but
her moral nature has been perverted
through fear"
Lying is such a contemplate thing
said Mr.. Wynne severely.
$50 is gambling Yet have heard you
say that you believed you were born with
a passion for gambling, and you have
needed help TO save you from yourself
Still you have no mercy for another sim
ner."
Harold Wynne looked at his presumptu-
GUS young relative in Rstonishment. Gould
this be the thoughtless youth who had
lived under his roof, looking up TO him as
to father, and who was now constituting
himself judge and jury to arraign and
cOndemn2
Before he could speak the door opened,
and Ethel herself entered, a 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
ing?"
Ethel looked anxiously from the face Of
the uncle to that of the nephew; but, see
ing no help in either, she answered sweetly:
Eyes, Guardy, was in my own room,
learning the lines you gave me to commit
from Longfellow. I 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, recited the lines:
If by night the frogs are croaking,
Kindle but torch's fire.
Ha, how soon they all are silent
| So truth silences the liar.
Harold Wynne applauded his ward, but
III
81 have read somewhere he said, THAT
truth was a 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, Ethel?'
~ have told you, Guardy."
"You were out walking with me, Ethel.
Why do you not tell him?' asked Ralph.
I'll forgot
s'Therel'' said Mr.. Wynne angrily. "See
how one lie begets another. Why could
she not have told me that in the first
placer must say it was an improper pro-
ceeding. Where was Mrs. Fleming?''
"In her bed, sleeping the sleep Of the
just We were in by 9 O'Clock. If there
was any blame, it belongs to me, as I
asked Ethel for company"
SIT is not necessary, Ralph, that you
should shoulder Ethel's responsibilities, -
his uncle said in an annoyed manner; she
is old enough to act for herself. I some
times wish''- He stopped and remained
silent. es
! ''Not that you had never taken me into
your life-don' t say thatl'' cried the girl,
slipping down on her knees beside him
and pressing her sweet lips to his hard
hand. ''You have been too good and kind
to me, and can never repay you-and I
will try, Guardy, indeed will, to profit by
your goodness. Forgive me.''
She rose with shining eyes and like a
vision of sweetness passed out of the room,
nor did she once cast a glance at the
younger man, who in his heart was call
ing his relative jellyfsh of Judgment
| and other unapostelic names.
When the girl was gone from the room,
Harold Wynne clasped his hands at the
back of his neck and sat deeply thinking.
? "In do it!' he said at last. SIT is my
duty and the only way to save her. She
, needs strong firm hand to guide her. I
know her failing and will temper justice
with mercy. Ralph, listen to me a mo-
ment"
eyes, SIR Ralph laid his book down
it was doubtful if he had been reading
and prepared to give respectful attention
: to what his uncle was about to say
ST have decided to marry Ethel
s'Indeed, sir"
SIT 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.
81 should think, - said the younger man
slowly, "that you would hesitate to place
your happiness in the keeping of one who
tells liesl''
. ''Not at all, - answered his uncle coolly.
"That 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