Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-07-23

HVlu Out hlBucSN happiness so nghtlY--CtlIN-
ing it carelessly in our hands as though it
were but dross, stalking it all upon an idle
caprice
When she turned her countenauce towards
him again, the same mocking light was in her
eyes. the same coquetish smile breathed from
her red lips.
speaking Of hcircsses," said Sophie,
"therc's Henry Myrtle, whose father is worth
twice a much as mine. Perhaps you had bet
ter transfer your attention to her, Mr.. Aims
lee. The difference in our dowercs would
no doubt be quite an inducement and possibly
she might consider your case more seriously
than have done"
Like an insultod prince. Harry Ainsee
stood up before her--the hot, fiery, indignant
blood dashed in fierce torrent over his face,
his arm crossed tightly upon his breast as if
to keep his heart from bursting with uprising
indignotion--his compressed lips and his
dark eyes flashing. Sophie. cruel Sophie
lou added one drop too much to your cruel
sarcasm. You trespassed upon his forbeaT-
ance one little step further than you would
have dared, had you known his proud and
sensitive nature.
Not till he had gone--gone without sim
gle word of expostulation, leaving only a
grave goodbye" and the memory Of his
pale face to plead for him--did the thought
less girl wake to a realization Of what she had
done Then 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.
"Pshaw what am ! afraid Of lie will be
back again within twcnty-four hours. and as
importunate as ever, she muttered to herself
as the street door closed after him; yet a
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 the long street. or the bright face that
leaned away out through the parted blinds,
with such a wistlul look as he disappeared,
it might have been his turn to triumph.
In spite of Sophie 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 a mar
tyr, and acted accordingly In fact. she did
as almost any heroine would have done under
the circums mstanccs-grew pale Ind interesting
Mariana began to suggest the delicacios to
tempt Sophies palate. The poor dear child
was getting so thin In vain Sophie pro-
tested that she had no appetite.
In vain papa bought dainty gifts and piled
mp costly dresses before his pet. faint
smile. or abstract "thanl you, was the only
rccompense. II sister Kate suggested that
Iarry's absence was in any manner connected
with her altered demeanor, Sophie would
toss her ringeted head with ami air of supreme
indifference. and go away, and cry over it,
hours at a time. EVERYBODY thought something
was the matter with Sophie. Sophie among
the rest
Her suspense and ponitencc 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
and more Of an impossibility.
"Will you come into the garden with nc,
Kate:' she asked, in trembling voice of
her sister, one day about month after her
trouble with Harry, Il have something of inn
portance to tell you
"Go away, darling, and | will be with you
in few moments, replied Kate, casting
searching glance at Sophie's flushed checks
and swollen eyes
Running swiftly along the garden paths, as
if from fear of pursuit, Sophie turned aside
into her iavorite arbor, and hnging herself
down on low seat, buried her head among
the cool vines, and gave herself up to par
oxysm Of passionate grief Soon she heard
steps approaching, and an arm was twined
tcndcrly about her waist, and a warm hand
was laid crressingly on her dropped head.
80, Kate, Kate !' she cried in the agony
Of her repentance, Il am perfectly wretched
You don't know why, though you have come
very near guessing two or three times. Harry
and -
Here a convulsivo sob interrupted her, and
the hand upon her head passed over hor dis
ordered curs with gentle soothing motion
''Harry and I'--anothcr sob--"quarrolled
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 he hasn't been here since"
Sophie felt herself drawn in a closer en-
brace and was sure Kate pitied her.
II would not have owned it to anybody if
it had not been Just as it is, she continued,
rubbing her little white hands into her eyes
"but think l love him almost as ! do you
and father and mother
A kiss dropped on Sophie's glossy head,
and tighter was she held Sc wondered that
Kate was so silent, but still kept her face
hidden in the vines.
ale asked me to be his wife, she con-
tinuod, asked me as nobody else ever did
in such a manly way that he made me feel as
though ! ought to have been the one to plead
instead Of him. | could not bear that, and
answered him as | should not. He thought
it was because he was poor and ! was rich !;
and all the time l was thinking | would rath-
er 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 wopt anow
Look up, dear, and I'll 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
Ainslee
Sophie declares to this day that she has
never forgiven either Of them, though she has
been Mrs. Ainslec nearly two years.
WHAT THE "SKEKrER" SAID TO THE
SLEEPY GENrLEMAN.--H um m hum, shut
your ewes sir the noise Won hear is nOuQht