Mountain Democrat., 1857-10-17

| IAN, npp0rcntIyaS uncOncerned ana IlStleSS
az though that name had not sent quick
CT thrill To her heart, or the betraying
crimson all over her pretty face. "Tell
him will be down presently" she said
The girl disappeared, and Sophie flung
open her window, that the cool, fresh
wind might fan away the extra rosiness
from her complexion. Then she went
again to the mirror, and after composing
her bright, eager, happy face into an ex-
preston of occurrences, descended to the
parlor. A smile broke over her features,
and she reached out both hands to her
| guest; but, rs if suddenly rccollccting
herself, drew them back again, and with
formal bow of recognition, she passed
him, and seated herself in further COR
ner of the room.
twas very evident that something was
wrong with Sophie; that she had made
up her mind, either not to be pleased or
not to please. Could it be that she had
torscen what was coming? that pre-.
Sentiment Of that visit and its result had
dictated the merry speeches i'll her cham
Der? BE that as it may, halfhOur had
not elapsed before she knew that Harry
Ainslee's hand and fortune, (Which latter,
by the way, was nothing wonderful, were
in the same place where Captain Morriss
and DR.. Wilkinsonss had been before
them.
The first man that ever heard say
such things without making fool of him
self" muttcrcd Sophie cmphatically from
behind her fan, as she sat -bitIshing; and
evidently gratiiicd, yet without deigning
any reply to the gallant straightforward
speech i'll which lcr lover had riSked his
all Of hope.
lie ought to do pennance for the prct-
ty way he manages his tongue. He's al
together too calm to suit me-" And
Sophie shook her curly head mcaningly,
holding her fan before her for Screcn-did
she forget what she had been saying "I
wonder if could snorc the way old Uncle
Jones used toin church :" she soliIoQuizcd.
Wouldn't it be fun ?-and wouldn't it
plague Harry if he thought had been
asleep while he was talking:"
Sophie's blue eyes danced with sup
pressed mcrriment as she gave two or
three heavy breathings, and followed
them up with nasal explosion worthy of
an orthodox deacon. 1t was we'll done
theatrically done; and poor Harry sprang
bolt upright--surpised, mortified, cha
grincd. Human nature could stand it no
longer, and Sophie gave vent to her nirth
in burst of triumphant laughter.
"Y-o-u little witch-you mischief-you
spirit of eyil!" exclaimed the relieved Har-
ry, as he sprang TO her side and caught
her by the arm with gripc that made
her scream. "You deserve a shaking for
your behavior" Then lowering his voice,
he added gravcly, "Will you never have
done tormcnting me? II you love me,
can you not be generous enough to tell
me SO ?-and il you do not, am not, at
least, worthy Of candid rtfl>al?"
Words Slrang to Sophie's lips that
would have done credit to her womanly
nature and made her lovers heart bound
with rapture; for the whole depths of her
being were stirred, and drawn towards
him as they never before had been to any
man. But she could not quite give up
her raillcry then. She would go one step
further from him ere she laid her hand in
his, and told him he was dearcr than all
the world beside. So she checked the ten
der response that trcmblcd on her tongue,
and ilinging off his grasp with mocking
gesture and ringing laugh, danced across
the room to the piano.
She seated herself, she ran her fingers
gracefully over the keys, and broke out in
wild, brilliant, defiant song, that made
her listener $ ears tingle as he stood watch
ing her, and choking back the indignant
words that came crowding to his lips for
utterance.
Sophie, listen to me-" he said at length,
as she paused from sheer exhaustion. ais
it generouS-is it just, to trihe with me
so !-to turn into rididule the emotions of
heart that offers you its most reverend
affections? have loved you, because
under this volatile, suface-characte of
yours, thought saw truthfulness and
simplicity, purity Of soul, and q warm
current of tender, wOmanly feeling, that
would bathc with blessings the whole life
of him whose hand was fortunate enough
to touch its secret springs. You are an
heiress, and l only poor student; but
if that is the reason why you treat my
suit so scornfully, you are less than the
noble woman that thought yOu."
Sophic's head was averted, and sus-
piciOus moisture glistened in her eyes as
Harry ceased speaking. Ah why isit that
we sometimes hold our highest happiness
so lightly-carrying it carelessly in our
hands as though it were but dross, and
stalking it all upon an idle caprice!
When she turned her countenance tow
ards him again, the same mocking light
was in her eyes, the same coquettish
smile wreathcd her red lips.
Speaking of hciresSes," said Sophie,
there's Helen Myrle, whose father is
worth twice as much as mine. Perhaps
you had better transfer your attentions to
her, Mr.. Ainslee. The difference in our
dowries would no doubt be quito an in
ducement, and possibly she might consid-
or your case moro seriously than have
DONE"
Like an insultcd prince, Harry Ainslec
stood up before her-thc hot, fiery, indig-
,nant blood dashing in fierce torrent over
his face-his arms crossed tightly upon
his breast, as if tOs keep his heart from
bursting with itS indignation-hi lips
compressed and his dark eyes flashing
Sophie, cruel Sophie! You added one
drop too much to your cup of sarcasm.
You trespassed upon his forbearance one
little step further than you would have
dared, had you known his proud, sensitive
nature.
Not till he was Gonc-gonc without a
single word Of eXpoStulatiOn, leaving only
grave good-by," and the memory Of