True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-01-25
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SOPHIES BROTHER.
BY MRS. G. NJ. RIDDLE.
(CONCLUDED.)

Meantime,s whenever I glanced at the
lovers, Willard seemed absent and pre-
occupied; while Sophie looked wearied
and really unhappy, so that begged her
brother at last to take us home. On reti-
ring to my own room, I closely scanned
nv heart. "Did |, or did not love Will
lard Raymond, my long-cherished ideal?'
I said With a gush of thankfulness |
answered, "No." l had been cherishing
vain illusion, I found, which vanished
when divested of all its romance. But |
could not conceal from myself that Sophie's
lover was attracted to me. Should I cause
my gentle friend one pang? Must I call
one shadow to that pure young brow p
No. My mind was made up. | would
fly from his presence. would return to
Madame A.. q
The next morning, when entered So
phie's room, she had not yet risen. I
drew away the curtain. How lovely l
thought her! The rounded arm which
shaded that placid brow was white as the
snowy pillow the pale check, pure in its
fair transparency; the long, heavy fringes
closed on those weary eyes, were yet damp
with tears of bitterness and from those
flushed and parted lips was heard a soft,
low murmur. / caught the echo of his
name-the faithless one. I sat beside
her pillow, buried in gloomy thought; but
the voice of Sophie reused me. "Julia
dear julia" it cried, "where am I ? Why
are you sitting there?" told her that ]
had been for long time watching hel
slumbers, but that should not allow hel
to idle away any more of the pleasant
morning, "Indced, dear Julia, I fee
weak this morning, my exertions las
evening quite overtasked my strengh." -
Crest then, my darling" I replied, 81
am thinking of leaving you for time.
am about returning to Madame A.
"Never, dear Julia, you must not leav'
me, I have felt for time my early doom
and before the buds and blossoms of an
other spring I shall be safe in my father
house, whittier my mothers smile seem
ever beckoning me and you will not, can
not leave me-" "Iush, my dearest dar
ling" | answered, "do not talk of dying.
ayes, dear Julia, I have long felt the fal
lacy of my earthly hopes-nay, turn no
away, you must hear me now. As I hay
told you before, it was the wish of Willard
father, communicated to him on his dyin
bed, that Willard should choose me for hi
future wife; indeed promise was cxacte
from him that he would fulfil this last rc
quest; this | never knew until lately; bu
the truth has forced itself upon me; an
l have felt for many months that his low
was not lavished upon me, in the. same ric
measure that flowed. from my heart ft
him; and last night, nay, do not interruI
me, when he followed your every motto
with admiring eye-and how could he q
otherwise ?-I felt that it would be IN
greatest happiness to see two dcare
friends united before leave YOU Prom
ise me then, dear Julia, that you will 10y
and cherish Willard Raymond as I woul
have done" But I would not allow HI
to proceed. "No, dear Sophie, not eve
to crafty you," said, "can l prOmi
that; besides l have no heart to bestow,
love another" "Can it be?" she erie
."And you have not breathed the seer
even to me? Or is it the unknown heroi
,"No, dear Sophie, have forgotten hi
long ago." ! replied "Still my love nc
is hopeless" T." "Ah will you not tell me-
she said, throwing her arms around n
neck. l trembled to reveal it, but I cou
not deny her "Promise me-" sal
'that to no one-not even to the win
will you breathe his name" The rcquir
promise was given, and, bending over hi
I spoke the name of her brother, but
low that / scarcely thought she heard n
for feared lest the walls might repeat t
echo A perfect glow of delight suffus
those pale features She kissed me aga
and again. ''Tben, then, she cried, "v
myhcart's fondest wishes be accOnpll'
ed" eyes, but, Sophie, my love is I
returned, nor ever can be-" ! answered