San Andreas independent., 1857-10-24


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 give up her rail-
cry then. She would go one step further
from him ere she laid her hand in his,
and told him he was dearer than all the
world beside. So she checked the tender
response that trembled on her tongue,
and Ainging off his grasp with a mock
ing jesture and a 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 listeners ears tingle as he stood
watching her, and choking back the in
dignant words that came crowding to his
lips for utterance.
"Sophie, listen to me !" he said at
length, as she paused from sheer exhaus-
ton. Is it generous-is it just, to tri-
fe with me soto turn into ridicule the
emotions of heart that offers you its
most reverent affections? | have loved
you, because under this volatile, surface
character of yours, / thought, | saw truth
fulness and simplicity, purity of soul and
a warm current of tender, womanly feel
ing, that would bathe with blessing the
whole life of him whose hand was fortu-
nate enough to touch its secret springs.
You are an heiress, and [ am 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"
Sophie's head was averted, and sus-
picious moisture glistened in her eyes as
Harry ceased speaking. All why is it
that we sometimes hold our highest hap
piness 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 to-
wards him again, the same mocking light
was in her eyes, the same coquetish smile
wreathed her red lips.
"Speaking of heiresses," said Sophie,
"there's Helen Myrie, whose father is
worth twice as much as mine Perhaps
you had better transfer your affections to
her, Mr.. Ainslce. The difference in our
dowries would no doubt be quite an in
ducement, and possibly she might con-
slider your case more seriously than |
have done.
Like an insulted prince, Harry Ainslee
stood up before her-the hot, fiery, in
dignant blood dashing III fierce torrent
over his facc-his arms crossed tightly
across his breast, as if to keep his heart
from bursting with its uprising indigna-
tion-his lips compressed and his dark
eyes flushing. Sophie, cruel Sophie !
You added one drop too much to your
sarcasm. You trespassed upon his for
bearance one little step further than you
would have dared, had you known his
proud, sensitive nature.
Not till he was gone-gone without
single word of expostulation, and leaving
only grave "good bye" and the memo
ry Of his pale face to plead for him-did
the thoughtless girl wake to realization
of what she had done. Then a quick,
terrible fear shot through her heart, and
she would have given every curl on her
brown head to have had him beside her
one short moment longer
sPshawl what am | afraid of? He will
be back again within twenty-four hours,
as importunate as ever" she muttered to
herself, as the street door closed after him;
yet sigh, that was half sob, followed
the words, and could Harry have seen the
beautiful pair of eyes that watched him
so eagerly as he went down the long street,
or the bright face that leaned away out
through the parted blinds, with such a
wistful look, after he had disappeared, it
might have been his turn to triumph.
In spite of Sophie's prophecy, twenty
four hours did not bring back Harry
Days matured into weeks, and still he did
not come, nor in all that time did she see
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 circumetan-
ces-grew pale and interesting. Mamma
began to suggest delicacies to tempt So
phie's palate" the poor, dear child was
getting SO thinw In vain. Sophie pro-
tested she had no appetite.
In vain papa brought dainty gifts and
piled up costly dresses before his pet. A
faint smile or an abstracted "thank you,"
was his only recompense. If sister Kate
suggested that Harry's absence was In
any manner connected with her altered
demeanor, Sophie would toss her ringlety
head with an air of supreme indifference,
and go away and cry over it, hours at a
time. Everybody thought something was
the matter with Sophie, Sophie amongst
the rest.
Her suspense and penitence 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 forever seemed
every day more and more of an impossi-
.bility.
"WiIl you come into the garden with
me Kate ~ she asked, in trembling
voice, of her sister one day, about a month
after her trouble with Harry. / have