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

IalUt Snllle, or nDStraCteu 't1anK you,
was the only recompense. If sister Kate
suggested thet Harry's absence was in
any manner connected with her altered
demeanor, Sophie would toss her ringlet-
ed head with an air Of supreme indilier-
cnee, and go away and cry over it, hours
at time. Everybody thought some
thing was the matter with Sophie. So
phie among the rest.
Her suspense and penitence became in
supportable at last. Sister Kate, who
had come so near the solution of the true
mystery, should know also said So
phe. Perhaps she could advise her what
to do, for to give Harry up forever seemed
every day more and more of an imposi-
bility.
"Will you come into the garden with
me Kate?" she asked, in q trembling
voice of her sister one day, about month
after her trouble with Harry, 81 have
something of importance to tell you"
go away, darling, and l will be with
you in a few moments" replied Kate,
casting a searching glance at Sophie's
flushed cheeks and swollen eyes,
Running swiftly along the garden paths,
as if from fear of pursuit, Sophie turned
aside into her favorite arbor, and, fling
ing herself down on low seat, buried
her head among the cool vines, and gave
herself up to a paroxysm of passionate
grief. Soon she heard steps approach
ing, and an arm was twined tenderly
about her waste, warm hand was laid
caressingly on her dropped head.
80, Kate, Kate !' she cried in the ag.
ony of her repentance, 81 am perfectly
wretched. You don't know why, though
you have come very near guessing two OF
three times. Harry and r.
Here convulsive sob interrupted her
and the hand upon her head passed ovel
her disordered curls with gentle sooth
ing motion
"Harry and I"-another sob--"quar
relied two or three weeks ago. | was
willful and rude, Just as it was natura
for me to be, and he got angry. dom
think he is going to forgive, for he hasn't
been here since"
Sophie felt herself drawn in close
embrace, and was sure Kate pittied her
"I would not have owned it to any
body if it had not been Just as it is" sh
. continued, rubbing her little white hand
into her eyes; "but | think love him al
most as do you and father and mother.
A kiss dropped on Sophie's glossy hea'
and tighter was she held. She wondere,
that Kate was so silent, but still kept he
face hid in the vines.
"He asked me to be his wife," she con
timed, "askcd me as nobody else eve
did-in such a manly way, that ho mad
me feel as though | ought to have bee
; the one to plead instead of him. / coul'
not bear that, and | answered him as
should not He thought it was becaus
he was poor and was rich; and all th
time | was thinking | would rather liv
in cottage with him than in the great
est palace in the world with any othe
man, only was too proud to tell him s.
tc his face. What can do? Tell m
|, Kate, you are much better than am, an
you never get into trouble. am sure
shall die if You don't" And poor So
phe wept anew.
Look up, dear, and I'll tell you."
Sophie did look up, with start, an
the next moment, with little scream
leaped into the arms--not of sister Kate
but Harry Ainslee
Sophie declares to this day that she ha
never forgiven either of them, though sh
has been Mrs. Ainslee nearly two years