Mountain Democrat., 1857-10-17
"OUR COUNTRY Always Right WrongO Our mCOnty


long street, or tho bright face that leaned
away out through the parted blinds, with
such n wistful look, after he had disap-
pcared, it might have been his turn to
triumph.
In spite of Sophic's prophecy, twenty
four hours did not bring back Harry
Days maturcd into weeks, aud still he did
not come, nor in all that time did she sec
him. And now she began to think her.
self quite martyr, and to act accordingly.
In fact, she did as almost any heroine
would have done under the circumstances
grew pale and interesting. Mamma
began to suggest delicacies to tempt So
phie's palate" the poor, dear child was
getting so thin!" In vain. Sophie pro-
tested that she had no appetite.
In vain papa bought dainty gifts and
piled up costly dresses before Els pet. A
faint smile or an abstractcd "thank you,"
was his only rccompcnsc. If sister Kate
suggested that Iarry's absence was in any
manner connected with her altered de-
meanor, Sophie would toss her ringlcty
head with ali air Of supreme Indifference,
and go away and cry over it, hours at u
time. Everybody thought something was
the matter with Sophie, Sophie amongst
the rest.
Her suspense and pcnitcnce became in
supportable at last. Sister Kate, who had
come so near the true solution of the mys-
terry, should know all-so said Sophie
Perhaps she could advise her what to do,
for to give Harry up for ever seemed every
day more and more of an impossibility.
"Will you come into the garden with
me, Kate?" she asked, in trembling
voice, of her sister one day, about month
after her trouble with Harry. 81 have
something Of importance to tell YOU"
"Go away, darling, and ! will be with
Ayou in few moments" replied Kate, cast
ing q searching glance at SOphic's flushed
cheeks and swollen eyes,
Running swiftly along the garden paths
as if from fear Of pursuit, Sophie turned
aside into her favoritc arbor, and flnging
herself down on the low scat, buried her
head among the cool, green vines, and
gave herself up to paroXysn Of passion
ate grief Soon she heard steps approach
ing, and an arm was twined tcndcrly about
her waist, end a warm hand laid careSs
ingly on her droopcd head.
"Oh, Kate, Kate!" she cried, in the
agony Of her repentance, "I am perfectly
wretched. You don't know why, though
you have come very near guessing two or
three times. Harry and T"
Here convulsivc sob interrupted her,
and the hand upon her head passed over
her disordered curls with gentle, sootli-
ing motion.
Harry and I"--anOther sob--"quar-
relied two or three weeks ago. Twas will
full and rude, just as it is natural for me to
be, and he got angry. do1't think he
is going to forgive me. for he hasn't been
here since"
Sophie felt herself drawn in closer en-
brace, and was sure sister Kate pitied
her.
"IwOu!dn't have owned it to any body
if it hadn't been Just as it is" she con-
tinucd, rubbing her little white hands into
her eyes; "but think love him almost
as well as do you and father and moth
cr."
a kiss dropped on Sophic's glossy head,
and tighter was she held. She wondered
IIluI hAtc was 81 SllcIt1 OuL Sllil Sic kept
her face hidden in tho vines.
He asked me to be his wife," she con-
tinued-" asked me as nobody else ever
did-in such manly way, that he made
me feel as though ought to have been the
one to plead instead of him. could not
bear that, and so answered him Just as
I should not. lie thought it was because
he was poor and was rich, and all tn
time was thinking would rather live in
a cottage with him, than in the grandest
place that ever was with any other man,
only was too proud to tell him SO to his
face. What can do? Tell me, Kate
you are so much better than am, and
never get into trouble. am sure shall
die if you don't" And poor Sophie wcpt
anew.
Look up, dear, and will tell you"
Sophie dill look up, with start, and
the next moment, with little scream,
leaped from the arms of-not sister Kate,
but Harry Ainslee!
X
Sophie declares to this day, that she
has never forgiven either of them, though
she has been Mrs. Henry Ainslec nearly
two years.