The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-03-24

der, womanly feeling, that would bathe
with blessing the whole life of him whose
hand was fortunate to touch its secret
springs. You are an hciress, and only
a poor student but if that is the reason
why YOU treat my suit so scornfully, Won
are less the noble woman than thought
you"
Sophie's head was averied, and q sus-
picious mixture glistened in her eyes as
Harry ceased speaking. All why is it
that we sometimes hold our highest hap
piness so ightly-carryng it carlessly in
our hands as though it was 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 coquettish smile
wreathed her red lips.
Speaking Of heiress," said Sophie,
"there's Helen Myrtle, whose father is
worth twice as much as mine. Perhaps
you had better transfer your attentions to
her, Mr.. Ainslee. The difference in our
6owries would no doubt be quite an in
ducement, and possibly she might consid-
er your case more seriously than | have
done"
Like an insulted prince, Harry Ainslce
stood up before her-the hot, fiery indig-
nant blood dashing in fierce torrent over
his tace-his arms crossed tightly upon
his breast as if to keep his heart from
bursting with its uprising Indignation
hi, lips compressed, and his dark eyes
flashing. Sophie, cruel Sophie You ad-
ded one drop to much to your cup of sar-
casm, You trespassed upon his forbear-
ance one little step further than you would
have dared, had you known his proud SEN
sitive nature.
Nor till he was gone-gone without
single word of expostulation, leaving only
grave good bye" and the memory of
his pale face to plead for him-did the
though'less girl wake to realization of
what she had done. Then quick ter.
rible 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
Pshaw what am | afraid of! He
will be back again within twenty-four
hours, and as importunate as ever" she
muttered 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
down the long street, or the bright face
that leaned away out through the parted
blinds with such wistful look as he dis
appeared, 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 herself quite
"a myrtyr, 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 sug-
gest delcacies to tempt Sophie's palate
1.-The poor dear child was getting thin"
In vain Sophie pro otested that she had no
appetite.
In vain papa brought dainty gifts, and
piled up costly dresses before his pet. A
faint smile or, abstracted thank you" was
his only recompense. If sister Kate sug-
gested that Harry's absence was in any
matter connected with her altered demcan.
or, Sophie would toss her ringlety head
with an air of supreme Indifference and
60 away and cry over it, hours at time.
Every body thought that something was
the matter with Sophie. Sophie among
the rest.
Her suspense and penitence became in
supportable at last. Sister Kate, who
had come so near the true solution of the
mystery, 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 impossibiity.
"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, / have some-
thing OF Importance to tell you.'
go away darling and | will be with
you in a few moments" " replied Kate,
casting searching glance at Sophie's
flushed cheeks and swollen eyes.
Running swiftly along the garden path,
as if from fear Of pursuit, Sophie turned
aside into her iayorite arbor, and 6inging
herself down Oh low seat, buried her