Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-09-01
Ter ON'E FAULT.

said Hauaa hynne III cold. even tones.
addressing his nephew, Ralph Meadows,
who sat III window retreat reading up
some problem in civil engineering and
who laughed suddenly. as IL tie subject
impressed him humorously instead OF
shocking him. as his uncle expected.
Poor Ethel" be said Il don't be-
lieve il is in that child to speak the
truth"
Child Ills uncle WINGED. There was
too forced contrast presented TO his
imagination by the term You forget,
Ralph, that Ethel is 1s-quite old enough
to have some idea of moral responsible
ity"
True, uncle" answered Ralph. with
yawn, but / should as soon expect to
find kitten with conscience She has
never been allowed to think or act for
herself. but has always been puppet in
others hands,"
lyon undervalue her." said his uncle
sharply.
NO; ! only do not expect too much of
her She has a beautiful character, but
her moral nature has been perverted
through fear"
Lying Is snSn u
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 your
self. Still you have no mercy for an
other sinner"
Before Wynne could speak the door
opened, and Ethel herself entered, a
beautiful liar indeed, her large, guileless
blue eyes wide and wondering with inno-
cent 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 EVENING"
Ethel looked anxiously from the face of
the uncle TO that of the nephew, but, see
ing no help in either, she answered
sweetly:
Yves, guardy, l 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 merrmeut. but Mr.. Wynne
saw nothing amusing in the occasion, as
Ethel. with a stately pose and dramatic
gestures, recited the lines:
'Ii by night the frogs are croaking,
kindle but torchs fire.
Ha, how they all silent!
So truth silences the liar"
81 have read somewhere" said Mead
ows, that truth was a greatly over
estimated 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?'
Il have told you, guardy."
"You were out walking with me. Ethel.
Why do you not tell him y asked Ralph.
Il forgot"
'"There"' said Mr.. Wynne angrily. "See
how one lie begets another. Why could
she not have told me that in the first
place? / must say it was an improper
proceeding. Where was Mrs. Fleming|
In her bed sleeping the sleep of the
just. We were in by o'clock. If there
was any blame it belongs to me, as l
asked Ethel for company
lit 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. L
sometimes wish He stopped and re-
manned silent.
mot that you had never taken me into
your life-don't say that!' 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 l
will try, guardy, indeed l will, to profit
by your goodness. Forgive me-"
She rose with shining eyes and like q.
vision of sweetness passed out of the
room, nor did she once cast glance at
the younger man. who in his heart was
calling his relative jellyfish Of judgment
and other unapostolic names.
When the girl was gone from the room
Harold Wynne clasped his hands at the
back of his neck and sat deeply thinking.
I'm do it," he said at last. at is my
duty and the only way to save her. She
needs a strong, firm hand to guide her. 1
know her failing and will temper justice
with mercy. Ralph, listen to me a mo-
ment."
Yes, sir" Ralph laid his book down
it was doubtful il he had been reading
and prepared to give respectful atten-
ton to what his uncle was about to say.
II have decided to marry Ethel"
Indeed SIR
at will make no difference to you. as
your property will remain yours by law.
| have enough WITHOUT that. And you
will make your home here with Ethel and
me. She likes you. and il she did not it
would make no difference. She must re-
spect my wishes"
II should think" said the younger man
slowly. THAT you would hesitate to place
your happiness in the keeping of one who
tells Hesi"
Not at ALL" answered his uncle coolly.
THAT is the one flaw in an otherwise
perfect 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 as
sured his uncle knew even less than he.
To be coercel into telling the truth seem
ed to him poor way of avoiding false
hood But he merely asked;
Have you spoken to EthelT
"No, but | win see her tonight"
MIR. Wynne touched a bell and sent