Amador weekly ledger., 1857-10-24

dearer than all the world beside SO she
checked the tender response that trembled
en- her tongue, and flinging off his grasp with
a mocking gesture and q 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 indignant words
that came crowding to his lips for utterance
Sophie, listen to mel" he said at length,
as she paused from sheer exhaustion "Is it
generous--is it jnst 10 trine with me soto
turn into ridiculc the emotions of a heart
that offers you its most reverent affections?-
| have loved you, because under this volatile,
surface-character of yours, + thought saw
truthfnlness and simplicity purity of soul,
and warm current Of tender womanly feel
ing, that would battle with blessings the
whole life of him whose hand was fortunate
enough to touch its secret springs Yon are
an heiress, and only poor student; but if
that is the reason why you treat my suit so
scornfully. you are less than the noble VIC
man that thought you'
Sophie's head was ayerted and q suspicious
moisture glstenad in her eyes as Harry
ceased speaking. All why is it that we
sometimes hold our highest happiness so
lghtly-carrying it careleSsly in our hands as
though it were but dross, and stalking it ali
upon an idle capricel
When she turned her countenance towards
him again, the same mocking light was in her
eyes, the same coquettish smile wreathed her
red lips
Speaking of heiresses," 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.
Ainsee. The difference in our dowries would
no doubt be quite an inducement, and posi-
bly, she might consider your case more Sc
riously than have done"
Like an insulted prince, Harry Ainslec
stood up before her-thc hot, fiery, indignant
blood dashng in fierce torrent over his face
his arms crossed tightly upon his breast,
as if to keep his heart from bursting with its
uprising iudignation--his lips compressed and
his dark eyes flashing. Sophie, cruel Sopliel
You added one drop too much to Your cup
of 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 sim
gle word Of expostulation, leaving only
grave ''good-by," and the memory of his pale
face to plead for him-did the thoughtless
girl wake to a 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.
/ D. +nut I &C T.,
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 ont through the parted
blinds, with such wistful look, after he had
disappeared, it might have been his turn to
triumph
In spite of Sol hes prophecy, twenty-four
hours did not bring back Harry. Days ma
tured into weeks, and still he did not come,
nor in all that time did she see him. And
now she began to think herself quite mar
tyr, 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
Sophies palate" the poor, dear child was
getting so thnw In vain. Sophie protested
that she had no appetite.
In vain papa brought dainty gifts and piled
up costly dresses before his pet A faint
smile or an distracted "thank you" was his
only recompense If Sister Kate suggested
that Harry's absence was in any manner con
nected with her altered demeanor, Sophie
would toss her ringlcty head with an air of su
preme indifference, and go away and cry over
it, hours at time. Everybody thought some
thing was the matter with Sophie, Sophie
| among the rest.
Her suspense and penitence became insup-
portable at last Sister Kate, who had come
80 near the true solution of the mystery,
should know alI--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 p she asked, in trembling voice, of
sister one day, abont a month after her
trouble with Harry. AZ have something of
Importance to tell you.'
!" Go away, darling, and will be with you
in few moments replied Kate, casting
searching glance at Sophie's flushed cheeks
and swollen eyes.
Running swiftly along the garden paths,
as If fon fear of pursuit, Sophie turned
aside into her favorite arbor and hinging her
self down on the low seat buried her head
among the cool, green vines, and gave her.
self up to a paroxysm of passionate grief
Snon sha hpnrI stems nnnroaehinv mud an