The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-12-22
SOPHYS DISCOVERY.

Lawyer Brookes house was situated near
| " at the end Of Main street in the little
town Of C.. 1t was not o large house,
but it looked pretty from the outside and
the inside was perfect in all its appoint
| ments.
Ii stood back from the street, and a we'll
kept garden extended to the sidewalk, from
which it was separated by an iron railing.
At the gate, looking anxiously up and
down the street, evidently awaiting the ar
rival of some one, was Laura Brooke
Laura was q pretty, t;tir-haired girl, about
eighteen years of age. She had deep blue
eyes 50 loving and trustful and there was a
winning softness about her that was quite ir-
resistible. No;wonder her father adored her,
and thanked the Almighty that when He took
his wife from him, He had been pleased to
| spare TO him his daughter!
Not come yet,A murmured Laura, look
ING at her watch-a pretty little thing, with
| enamclcd back set with diamonds, the Gift of
her fond father. ''Eght O'Clock! and he
promised to como early and take me for q
walk
Lawyer Brooke was sitting at the open
window enjoying his evening cigar; he
noticed his daughters absorbed and anxious
look.
''Laura, dear, il is getting late; think you
had better come in, now. Edward will not
be here tO-night.n
"Oh! but, father he promised to come this
evening. | am sure he will not break his
promise to me-"
As ii in confirmation Of her words. at This
moment the sound of horses hoofs were
| plainly heard and in a few minutes Edward
Graham had dismounted and was by her
side.
''Did you think | WAS never coming, dear
est? ! am 50 sorry to dsappont you of your
walk, but really could not help it.
Il was sure you would come, Edward,' y
she answered, looking into his face with a
loving smile ''Dut what has detained you ?
Nothing serious, hope"
"Nothing very serious. Farmer Thornton,
you know, broke his arm few days ago,
and he sent for me this afternoon, saying he
wished to see me particularly His wife and
child are at the seaside. He made light of
his accident to her, as he knew very well if
she We're aware of the truth, she would hurry
back to him, and he seems 50 reluctant to
spoil her holiday. He wanted my opinion as
10 whether he might not venture to Join her
next week. Poor fellow he looked so
lonesome l quite pticd him, and told him
he might. This seemed to make him quite
happy. But come, darling," continued Mr.
Graham, offering his hand to the fair girl by
his side, II want to have quite a long chat
with you. Why, | haven't seen you since
yesterday morning"
Aud the lovers entered the house.
Edward Graham had come to c. about
eight months before our story opens, and
commenced to practice Us Il doctor
lie was young man, about twenty light
years of age, good~looking and very gentle
manly He soon became quite 4 favorite in
c., and had already secured quite q nice
practice, not only in the town, but among
the neighboring farmers.
Soon after his arrival he was introduced
to Mr.. Brooke and his daughter, whom he
soon learned to love. His love was returned,
and they were now engaged.
He was quite favorite as | said before,
although it was u sad disappointment to
many Of the young ladies ut c., when
they heard that the young doctor was en-
gagged and they enved what they were
pleased to term Laura Brooke's good luck
There was one in particular who had set
her cap for him, rs the saying is, from the
first This was no other than Miss Sophy
Brown, the daughter of old Mr.. Brown, with
whom the doctor boarded. Sophy was get
tine on for thirty She would have been
very indignant if any one had limited such
thing, bat it was Il fact nevertheless.
She was rather g0od-looklng, ana report
SAID that old Mr.. Brown had saved money
but somehow the young men in those parts
would not be caught, and Sophy had almost
arrived at the alarming age Of thirty, il not
altogether without ever having had u beau,
certainly without Il chance OF ever getting
married.
She had tancicd to herself somehow that
she had made an impression on the heart of
the young doctor You can therefore easily
imagine the state of her feelings when she
heard of the engagement
ssWhat he can see in q little bit of a chit like
Laura Brooke" thought Miss Sophy. -
can't make out. Why, he must be over
thirty, and she's not more than seventeen;
she is not fit to be Il doctors wife. Now if it
were mo
Here she heaved Il big sigh. 1t was no
use specializing any further in that direction.
The thing was done; but DR.. Graham did
not find his landlady's daughter looking
after his comforts us Of yore, nor the vase of
fresh flowers on the stand in his room, as he
used to do.
1t was quite late that night when DR.. Gra-
ham reached home in the company of his
betrothed time had Slipped away. He was
,,orv tIrnJ now he had rona throuoh n nrpt-