The Monmouth inquirer., 1898-09-01
BERTHA YINCENT'S TRIAL.

1t was too stormy to venture out of
doors, but knot of young people had
gathered round the glowing CRATE in
Uncle Johns parlor, and were discuss
ing Miss Muloch's novel, "A Life for a
Life" I thought I had never seen a
lprettier picture than that group
formed, and it rises before me now
with as much vividness as if it were on
canvas
Crouching down on an ottoman, in
the full blaze of the freight, sat Cous-
in Carnie, brilliant brunette, whose
plaid dress and coral ornaments set off
her dark beauty to advantage. Her
head was bent over King Charles
spaniel in her lap, and her ebon curls
swept against his head as she played
with his tiny ears.
In an easy chair near her reclined a
perfect blonde, arrayed in blue silk,
and wearing her fair hair looped back
with a golden comb; this was Helen
Gilbert, Southern belle, then on a
visit at Uncle Johns.
Leaning against the marble mantel,
stood her brother Percie-a tall, slend-
er young Southron, dressed in the
height of fashion, and with the easy,
self-possessed air which bespeaks the
man of the world.
In one corner of a tete-a-tete, which
had been drawn to the hearthstone, sat
a girl far more beautiful than those |
have Just described Her figure was
superb, her features exquisite in their
chiselling; there was a peachy glow
on the soft cheek, and the lips were
red and dewy, but these things did not
0n iafo oh ary41- 1t uyac a
soul that kindled the great brown
eyes, and gave such expression to the
whole face. Her dress was simple, but
becoming-a crimson merino, with a
frill of Valenciennes about the square
neck and short sleeves; white camil-
liza on her breast, and another amid her
auburn hair, were her only ornaments,
save an engagement-ring upon her
finger. This was Bertha Vincent, my
uncle's ward, and the betrothed wife of
Cousin Robert, the tall, dark-eyed,
broad-chested young man who stood
bending over her.
l, being plain little body, and sit
ting somewhat apart from the bril-
liant group at the fireside, shall need
no description, and so l will proceed
to report the conversation.
WELL said Helen Gilbert, some
people think Dora's character unnat-
ural They declare that no woman
would be willing to forgive man what
she forgave DR.. Urquhart. What do
you say, Carrie? Would you pardon
your lover, if he should be driven to
indiscretion or crime, and then repent
in sackcloth and ashes, as Max Urqu-
hart did?"
"'Tis too bad to catechize the young
est first" replied Carrie, while the
warm glow deepened on her cheek at
the thought OF certain Hal Duncroft,
who had been her champion in her
girlhood, and now kept constantly at
her side when they met at parties.
sent her bouquets, and was always sure
to cross her path when she went out
for a walk.
Don't hesitatel" cried Robert;
ssspeak the exact truth, Carrie-tell us
how you'd deal with Hal If he should
drink too much wine, or get into a
quarrel with his fellow-students
"I should meet him more in sorrow
than in anger" responded the girl;
-'and if he appeared penitent should
forgive him, as Dora did. | never could
resist penitence; sometimes | seold
sharply at Floss here. but as soon as
he looks grieved and whines, catch
him up and pet him to his hearts con-
tent"
"Ha! ha, hal" laughed Robert,
<syou make one rule hold good with
man and beast"
"Ara now, Helen" exclaimed Car
rie, tbs your turn to be catechized.
How would you act, pray?"
The blue eyes of the Southern beau
ty drooped for an instant, and she
played confusedly with the charms sus-
pended to her chatelaine. Then she
said:
'If loved a man as | should be sure
to love the one with whom | intend ID
to walk through the storm and sun
shine of this life, / should, like Theo-
dora Johnson, forgive him everything.
provided / could be as certain OF his re-
pentance as she was"
AS she spoke, she glanced furtively
at Cousin Robert, but his gaze was
bent on Bertha, and he did not notice
her look.
and YOU" began Percie Gilbert
what do you say, Miss Vineent?
/ saw her start and change color, ere
she rejoined:
Il do not agree with your sister and
Carrie. will confess that am more
exacting than most women; l coulc
not love man until respect had pre-
ceded that love. In my opinion, there
can be no true love where there is no
respect. I could Iot give my heart and
hand as Dora did. / could not forgive
drunkenness, even, for ! should feel
that / could not trust my future with
person who could not govern him
self"