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

csting. Mariana began to suggest
delicaces to tempt Sophie's palate
" The poor dear child was getting so
thin" In vain Sophie protested that
she had no appetite.
In vain papa brought dainty gifts and
piled up costly dresses before his pet
n faint smile, or distracted 4" thank
YOU" was the only recompense. If sis
ter Kate suggested that Harry's absence
was in any manner connected with her
altered demcanor, Sophie would toss her
ringleted head with an air of supreme in
difference, and go away and cry over it,
hours at a time. Every body thought
something was the matter with Sophie.
Sophie among the rest.
Her suspense and pcnitence became
msupportate at last. Sister Kate, who
had come so near the solution of the true
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 an i'm
possibility.
"Will you come into the garden with
me kate !" she asked, in q trembling
voice, Of her sister, one day about a
month after her trouble with Harry, 81
have something of Importance to tell
you"
eco away, darling, and I will be with
you in few moments" replied Kate,
casting searching glance at Sophic's
flushed checks and swollen eyes.
Running swiftly along the garden
paths, as if from fear of pursuit, Sophie
turned aside into her favorite arbor, and
tlinging herself down on low seat,
buried her head among the cool vines,
and gave herself up to a paroxism Of
passionate grief. Soon she heard steps
approaching, and an arm was twined
tendcrly about her waist, and warm
hand was laid carcssingly on her droop-
ped head.
eco, Kate, Kate 70 she cried in the
agony of her repentance. "I am per-
fectly wretched. You don't know why,
though you have come very near guessing
two or three times. Harry and -
Here convusive sob interrupted her,
and the hand upon her head passed over
her disordercd curls with a gentle sooth-
ing motion.
Harry and I''-another sob
"quarrelled two Or three weeks ago.
| was willful and rude, just as it was
natural for me to be, and he got angry
don't think he is going to forgive, for
lie hasn't been here since"
Sophie felt herself drawn in a closer
embrace, and was sure Kate piticd her.
" would not have owned it to any
body if it had not been just as it ISL she
continued rubbing her little white hands
into her eyes; "but l think ! love
him almost us | do you and father and
mother''
A kiss dropped on sophic's glossy
head, and tighter was she held. She
wondered that Kate was so silent, but
still kept her face hidden in the vines.
" He asked me to be his wife, she
continued, "askcd 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 bare that, and answered
him as should not lie thought it was
because he was poor and / was rich and
all the time ! was thinking that l would
rather live in cottage with him than
in the grandest palace in the world with
any other man, only was too proud to
tell him so to his face. What can | do,
Tell me, Kate, you are much better than
| am, and you never get into trouble
am sure | shall die if you DON'T
And poor Sophie wcpt anew.
"Look up, dear, and III tell YOU"
Sophie did look up, with start, and
the next moment, with little scream,
leaped into the arms-not Of sister Kate,
but Harry Ainslcc.
Sophia declares to this day that she
has never forgiven either of them,
though she has been Mrs. Ainslce nearly
two years.