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

uncle Jones used to in church ?" she So
liloquised Wouldn't it be fun-and
wouldn't it plague Harry if he thought |
had been asleep while he was talking"
Sophie'S blue eyes danced with sup
pressed merriment as she gave two or
three heavy breatbings, and followed
them up with nasal explosion worthy
of an orthodox deacon. 1t was we'll
donc-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 mirta in a burst of triumph
ant laughter.
=" You little witch-you mischief
you spirit Of evil; )" exclaimed the re-
yiled Harry as he sprang to her side and
caught her by the arm with grip that
made her scream, "you deserve shak-
ing for your behavior p 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 if
you do not, am | not at least worthy Of a
candid refusal 7"
Words sprang to Sophio'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 never before had been towards any
man.
But she could not quite give up her
railery then. She would 90 one step
further from him ere she laid her hand
in his and told him he was dearer than
all the world beside. SO she checked
the tender response that trembled on her
tongue, and flinging of his grasp, with a
hooking 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 wild, brilliant, defiant song that
made her listener ears Jingle as he stood
watching her, and choking back the in
dignant words that came crowding to his
lips for utterance.
"Sophie, listen to mew he said at
length as he paused from sheer exhaus-
ton. Is it generous it Just, 20
trifle with me SOTO turn into ridicule
the emotion Of heart that offers to you
the most reverent aGec tons l lave
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 battle with
blessings the whole life of him whose
hand was so fortunate as to touch its Sc
cret springs. You are an heiress, and |
only a poor student but if that is the
reason why you treat me SO scornfully,
you are less the noble woman than /
thought you"
SopAie's head was averted, and sus-
picious 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 were but
dross, stalking it all upon an idle caprice
When she turned her countenance to-
wards him again, the same mocking light
was in her eyes, the same coquettish
smile breathed from her red lips.
Speaking of heirosses, " said Sophie,
F" there is Helen Myrtle, whose father is
worth twice as much as mine. Perhaps
you had better transfer your attention to
her, Mr. Aiuslee The difference in ouI
dowaries would no doubt be quite an in.
ducoment, and possibly she might con-
slider your case more seriously than
have done"
Like an insulted prince, Harry Aims.
lee stood up before her-the hot, fiery
indignant blood dashed in a fierce cur.
rent over his face-his arms crossed
tightly upon his breast as if to keep bis
heart from bursting with uprising indig.
nation, his lips compressed, and his dark
eyes flashing. Sophie, cruel Sophie
You trespasscd upon his forbearance one
little step further than you would have
dared, bad you known his proud and
sensitive nature.
Not till he had gone-gone without a
single word of expostulation, leaving
only grave good bye, " and the memo
ry of his pale face to plead for him-did
the thoughtless girl wake TO realization
Of what she had done. Then a quick
terrible fear shot through her heart, and
she would have given every curl on-hcr
brown head to have had him beside her
one short moment longer.
4" Pshaw what am | afraid Of? lie
will be back again in twenty-four hours,
and as importunate as ever, she mutter-
ed to herself, as the street door closed
after him F.; yet sigh that was half .
sob. followed the words, and could Harry
have seen the beautiful pair Of eyes that
watched him 50 eagerly as he went down
the long street, or the bright face that
leaned way out through the parted blinds
with such wistful look as be disappear
ed, it might have been his turn to tri-
umph.
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
sec him. And now she began to think
herself quite a martyr, and acted accor-
DINGHY. In fact, she did as almost any
heroine would have done under the cir
cumstances-grew pale and interesting.
Mariana began to suggest 'delicacies to
tempt Sophie's palate. (" The poor dear
child was getting 50 thin" In vain So
phie protested that she had no appetite.
In vain papa bought dainty gifts and
piled up costly dresses before his pet
a flint enlilo OF ahstracted thank ynu p