The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-11-11

three heavy breathlngs, and followed them
up with nasal explosion worthy of an
orthodox deacon. Itwas we'll douc-the-
atrically doue-and poor Harry sprang
bolt upright-surpassed, mortified, cha
grinned Human nature could stand it
10 longer, and Sophie gave vent to her
mirth in burst of triumphant laughter" /"
"Y-o.u little witch-you mischief
you spirit of esil!'' exclaimed the relieved
Harry, as he sprang to her side and
caught her by the arm with a grip that
made her scream. "You deseree a sba-
king for your behavior' Then lowering
bis voice, he added gravely:
"Will you never have done tormenting
mel If you love me, can you lot be gen.
erous enough to tell me sol and if you do
not, am | not at least worthy Of candid
refusaC"
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 towards
him as they never had been towards any
man.
But she could not quite give up her
railery then. She would go one step fur
thcr from bin ere she laid her hand in
his and told be was dearer than ell the
world besi:e So she checked the ten
der response that trembled on her tongue
and fingiDg off his grasp, With mock
ing 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 Will. brilliant, defiant song, that
made her listeners ears tinge as he stood
watching her. and choking back the iu-
dignaut words that came cFowdiDg to his
lips for utterance.
Sophie, listen to me- he said at length
as she paused from sheer exhaustion -
"Is it generous-is it just, to triae with
me so! to turn into ridicule the emotion
of heart that offers to you the N ost rev.
erent afection,l
II have loved you, because beneath
this volatile surface character of yours, |
thought | saw truthfulness and simplicity,
purity of soul, and warm current Of
tender, womanly feelings, that would
bathe with blessings the whole life of
him whose hand was so fortunate as to
touch its secret springs. You are an
heiress, and [ onl > poor student; but if
that Is the reason why you treat my suit
so scornfuily, you arc less the noble wo-
man than | thought you"
Sophie's head was averted, and sus-
picioas 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 we're but dross,
stalking it all upon an idle caprice!
When she turned her countenance to-
wards him again, the same mocking light
was iu her eyes, the same coquettish smile
breathed from her red lips.
"Speakiug of heircsses," said Sophie,
"there is Helen Myrtle, whose father is
worth twice as much as mine. Perhaps
you had better tranfer your attention to
ber, Mr. AinsIee. The difference in our
dowries would no doubt be quite an in
ducement, aud possibly she might consid-
er your case more seriously than | have
doue."
Like an insulted prince, Harry Aims.
lee stood up before her-tbe hot, fiery, TO-
dignaut blood dashed in fierce torrent
over his face-his arms crossed tightly
upon his breast as If to keep his heart from
bursting with uprising iodignation-his
compressed lips, and his dark eyes fash
ing. Sophie, cruel Sophiel You added
one drop too much to your cruel sarcasm.
You trespassed upon his forbearance
one little step further than you would
have dared, had you known bis proud
aud sensitive nature.
Not till he bad gone-gore without a
single word of expostulatiop, leaving only
a grave goodbye" and the memory of
bis pale face to plead for him--did the
thoughtless girl wake to realization Of
what she bad done. Then quick, ter
rible fear shot through her heart, and
she would have given every curl of her
brown head to have had him beside her
one short moment longer.
"Pshaw! what am | afraid of He
will back within twenty -four hours, and
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 be went down the long street
or the bright face that leaned away out
through the parted blinds, with such a
wistfu look, as be disappeared, it might
have been bis 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 bin. And now she began to think
herself quite martyr, and acted accor-
dinghy. In fact she did as almost any
heroine would have done under the cir
cumstauces-grew pale and interesting
Mariana began to suggest the dellcacies
to tamnt Sonhie's nalate "Ihe poor