Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1860-05-24


"The first man that / ever heard say
such things without making fool Of him
SELF" muttered Sophie, emphatically,
from behind her fan, as she sat blushing
and evidently gratifed, yet without
deigning any reply to the gallant, straight
forward speech in which her lover had
risked his all of hope.
"He ought to do penance to the pretty
way he manages his tongue. He's alto
gether too calm to suit me-" And So
phia shook her curly head meaningly,
holding her fan before her for screen.
Did she forget what she had been saying.
"I wonder if could snore the way old
Uncle Jones used to in church," she SOL
iloouized. "Wouldn't it be fun--and
wouldn't it plague Harry, ifhe thought /
had been asleep while he has been talk
ing?"
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 well
done-and Electrically done-and poor
Harry sprang bolt upright surprised,
mortified, chagrined Human nature
could stand it no longer. and Sophie gave
vent to her mirth in blush of triumph
ant laughter.
"Y-o-u little witch--you mischief
you spirit of evil" exclaimed the reliev-
ed Harry, as he sprang to her side and
caught her by the arm with grip that
made her scream, "vou deserve shaking
for your behavior!'' Then lowering his
voice, he added, gravely:
"Will you never have done torment
ing me? If you love me. can you not
be generous enough to tell me so; and il
you do not. am not at least worthy of a
candid refusal?"
Words sprang to Sophie's lips that
would have done credit to her womanly
nature. for the whole depths of her being
were stirred and drawn towards him as
they had never before had been towards
any man.
But she could not quite give up he,
railery then. She would 60 one ster
further from him ere she laid her hand il
his, and told him he was dearer than al
the world besides. So she checked thu
tender response that trembled on he
. tongue, and, finging off his grasp, with {
u mocbing gesture and ringing laugh
:, danced across the room to the piano.
u She seated herself. she ran her fingers
;, gracefully over the keys, and broke out il
=, wild. brilliant, defiant song, that made
u her listeners ears tindle az he stooc
watching her, and choking back the indig
II nant words that came crowding to hi
d lips for ntterance.
) "Sophie, listen to me - he said a
II length, as he paused from sheer exhaus
, tion, "Is it generous--is it just. to triA
II with me SOTO turn into ridicule th'
! emotion of heart that offers to you thu
) most reverent affections? | have loved
you, because beneath this votile surfac,
o character Of yours, I thought saw truth
IS fulness ond simplicity, purity of soul
l. feelings, that would bathe with blessing
y the whole life of him whose hand was 81
fortunate as to touch it's secret springs
J. You are an heircsss, and l only poo
3, student; but if that is the reason why yo'
ID treat me so scornfully, you are less thu
l. noble woman than / thought you"
o Sophie's head was averted and sus
t. picious moisture glstened in her eyes a
o Henry ceased speaking. All ! why is i
D that we sometimes hold our highest hap
IS piness so lightly-carrying it careessl.
l. in our hands, as though it were but dross
l stalking it all upon an idle caprice
d When she turned her countenance to
d wards him again, the same mocking Iigh
er was in her eyes, the same coquetish smil
= breathed from her lips.
n "Speaking of heiresses," said Sophie
l. "there's Helen Myrtle, whose father
re worth twice as much as mine Perhaps
n. you had better transfer your attention t.
ut her. Mr.. Ainslee. The difference in on
r. dowries would no doubt be quite an in
ID ducement, and possibly she might consid
ID er your case more seriously than l hay
IL DONE"
c. Like an insulted prince, Harry Ainsle
/, stood before her-the hot, fiery, indignar
IN blood dashed in fierce torrent over hi
We face-his arms crossed tightly upon h
IS breast as if to keep his heart from burst
ing with uprising indignation-his com
he pressed lips, and his dark eyes flashing
,g Sophie, cruel Sophi You added on
N drop to much to your cruel sarcasm.
c. trespassed upon his forbearance one lit
tie step further than you would have dare
he had you known his proud and sensitiv
er nature.
h Not till he had gone-gone without
of single word of expostulation, leaving onl
a grave goodbye" and the memory {
he his pale face to plead far him-did tn
rv thoughtless girl wake to a realization {
" what she had done. Then quick, terri
ti Bile fear shot through her heart, and sh
I'd would have given every curl on her brow
OF head to have him beside her one short me
he ment longer.
'e Pshaw what am afraid of? He wi
he be back again within twenty four hours
and as importunate as ever" she mutte
,g ed to herself as the street door closed a
ir ter him; yet sigh that was half & sol
M followed the words, and could Harry hay
in seen the beautiful pair of eyes that watcl
er ed him so eagerly as he went the Ion
s. street, or the bright face that leaned ava
r out through the parted blinds, with sue
s, wistful look, as he disappeared, it migl
he have been his turn to triumph.
r. Tn snifa of Sopb;a,o ,,onhoo,, t,uon.,