Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1860-07-27


suggested that Harry's absence was in
lany way connected with her altered de-
meanor, Sophie would toss her ringleted
head with an 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 penitence became
insupportable at last. Sister Kate, who
had come so near the solution of the mys-
terry, 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 impossi-
bility.
VIII you come into the garden with
me, Kate :" she asked, in trembling
voice, of her sister one day, about a
month after her trouble with Harry: Il
have something of Importance to tell
you"
"Go away darling, and l will be with
you in few moments" replied Kate,
casting searching glance at Sophio's
flushed cheek and swollen eyes.
Running swiftly along the garden
paths, as if from fear of pursuit, Sophie
turned aside into her favorte arbor, and,
flinging herself down on low seat, buri-
ed her head among the cool vines, and
gave hcrselfup to paroxysm of passion
ate grief. Soon she heard one approach
ing, aud an arm was twined tenderly
about her waist, and warm hand was
laid earessingly on her dropped head.
80, Kate, Kate !" she cried in the
agony of her repentance, 81 am per-
fectly wrctched-you don't know why,
though you have come very near guess
ing two OR three times. Harry and u
Here aconvulsive sob interrupted her,
and the hand upon her head passed over
her disordered curls with a gentle sooth-
ing motion.
Harry and I another sob-quar-
relied 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 closer
embrace, and was sure Kate pitied her
" would not have owned it to any.
body if it had not been just as it is" she
continued, rubbing her little white hands
into her eyes; &" but | think | love hin
almost as do you and father and mo,
Their"
A kiss dropped on Sophio'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, "asked 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 bear that, and answered him
as | should not. lie thought it was be-
cause he was poor and | was rich and
all the time | was thinking I would
rather live in cottage with him than in
the grandest in the world with any other
man, only was too proud to tell him 50
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 ifyou don't" And poor
Sophie wept anew.
+" Look up dear and I'll tell you"
Sophie did look up with start, and
the next moment, with a little scream
leaped into the arms-not of sister Kate
but Of Harry Afnsleo.
Sophie declares to this day that she
has never forgiven either Of them, though
she has been Mrs. Ainslee two years.