The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1858-07-31

himself" muttcrcd Sophie emphatically
from behind her fan, as she set blushing
and evidently gratificd, yet without
deigning any reply to the gallant straight
forward speech in which her lover had
risked his all of hope.
"llc ought to do penance for the
pretty way he manages his tongue
He's altogether too calm to suit me. -
And Sophie shook her curly head mean
ingly, holding her fan before her for
screen--did she forget what she had
been saying. 81 wonder if | could
snorc the way old Uncle Jones used to
in church - she soliloquiscd. "Would
not 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 merriment 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
and theatrically done-and poor Harry
sprang bolt. upright-surpriscd, mortified,
chagrined. Human nature could stand
it no longer and Sophie gave vent to her
mirth IN 4 burst of triumphant laughter.
" You little witch-you mischief
you spirit of evil - exclaimed the
relieved Harry, as he sprang to her side
and caught her by the arm with grip
that made her scream. You deserve
shaking for your behavior !" Then
lowering his voice, he added grayely:
d" VIII you never have done torment.
ing me you love me, can you not be
generous enough to tell me so and if
you do not, am | not at least worthy Of
IL candid refusal ?"
Words sprang 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 to-
wards him as they never before had been
towards any man.
But she could not quite give up her
ralllery then. She would 60 one step
further from him ere she laid her hand
in his and told him he was dearer than
all the world besides. SO she checked
the tender response that trembled on her
tongue and finging off his grasp, with a
mocklng 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 listeners ears tingle as he
stood watching her, and choking back
the indignant words that came CROWD ding
to his lips for uttcrancc.
Sophie, listen to Inc !" be said at
length, as she paused from sheer exhaus-
tation. =" Is it gencrous-is it lust, to
trihc with me so! to turn into rdicule
the emotions OF a heart that offers to
you the most reverent affections
"l have loved you, lccause beneath
this volatile surface character of yours,
| thought ] saw truthfulncss and SIM
plicity, purity Of soul, and warm cur
rent Of tender, womanly feelings, that
would battle with blessings the whole
life Of him, whose hand was so fortunate
as to touch its secret springs. You are an
helress, and | only poor student but
if that is the reason why you treat my
suit so seornfully, you are less the noble
woman than thought YOU
Sophie's head was averted, and sus-
picious moisture glistened i'll her eyes
as Harry ceased speaking. All, why
is it that we sometimes hold our highest
happiness so lightly--carrying it care
lcssly in our hands as though it were
but dross, stalking it all upon an idle
caprice
When she turned her countcnance
towards him again, the slime knocking
light was in her eyes, the same coquetiSh
smile breathed from her red lips.
"Spcaking of hcircsses," said Sophie,
"thcre's Helen Myrtle, whose father is
worth twice as much as mine. Perhaps
you had better transfer your attentions
to her, Mr.. Ainslce. The difference in
our dowrics would no doubt be quite an
inducement and possibly she mi ght con-
slider your case more seriously than !
have done"
Like an insultcd prince, Harry Aims
lee stood up before her-the hot, fiery,
indignant blood dashed in fierce tor
rent over his face-hs arms crossed
tightly upon his breast as if to keep his
heart from bursting with uprising indig-
nation-his compressed lips, and his
dark eyes flashing. Sophie, cruel Sophie !!
You added one drop too much to your
cruel sarcasm. You trcspassed upon
his forbearance one little step further
than you would have dared, had you
known his proud and sensitive nature.
Not till he had gone-gone without a
single word Of expostulation, leaving
only Il grave, good-bye," and the
momory Of his pale face to plead for him
did the thoughtlcss girl wake to a
realization of what she bad 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
besides her one short moment longer.
" Pshaw what am | afraid of! He
will be back again in twenty-four hours,
and as importunate as ever" she NUT
tered to herself as the street door closed
after him; yet a sigh that was half a
sob, followed the words, and could Harry
have seen the beautiful pair of eyes that
watched him so eagerly as he went along
the street, Or the bright face that leaned
away out through the parted blinds,
|