The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1870-10-07
SOPHIE BEDEll's ftiarATIoN.
III EMMA L. orENHErM.

never be your wife" asksa
And to give emphasis to the words
Sophie Bedell stamped her tiny feet
and swept her trailing robe of ambe
silk disdainfully. Her white broy
was momentarily clouded. She toyet
with her pretty fan in undisguiset
annoyance, never glancing once at tn,
face of her handsome cavalier, VIII,
looked down lovingly half in pity
half in anger ut the beauty at his side
We'll, Sophie" he said, at last
"am l TO have the answer I hav,
waited for so long "l: VI
have just answered you, MIR
Barnett. II is so-never," she sait
laughingly.
Sophie" he said passionatelv, "i
there no hope-can you never b,
miner and the strong mans breast
heaved with suppressed emotion.
Her ruby lips curled scornfully, ant
for the first time she raised her eye,
TO his face, and withdrew them in
stantly. saving: @ 3
please let us return to the room
the air il chilly" fE -
" Sophie" he cried, grasping the
jeweled hand, Sophie, have you nc
heart? Think of the future your an.
swer involves. To me il would be 8
living torture IAN endless life Of woe te
you?"
What do you care what the future
is to me, she said haughtily. Let
us return" 3ssl a
Not until I have your answer,
Sophie" -
=" Mr.. Barnett, would you detain me
against my will? / believe you forget
yourself, s.r." za.ra -. @
Pardon me, Miss Bedell, / had
forgotten myself" he said, with quiet
composure that contrasted strangely
with the fiery outburst of a moment
before; a. we will return"
He offered his arm, and with her
lustrous amber silk sweeping after her
they entered the ballroom Sophie
Bedell had played with the affections
of Clarance Barnett for over year,
and after keeping him two weeks for
his answer. she had refused him. He
was desperately in love with the little
fiirt, and her refusal to become his
wife was great blow to him for he
knew very well that she loved him
with all the fervor of which her na-
ture was capable; but she loved her
liberty and the pretty compliments
and homage she received as the reign
ing belle too well to become his or
any mans wife.
Her face was strangely pallid. con-
sidering she did not love him, as it was
only Irritation, for the time was so
tedious, as the same evening she had
laughingly remarked to friend, but
at all events think we, are diamnod
cut diamond"
"Oh !! Sophie" said a young girl
coming laughingly up, do come and
see Mr.. Oscar play-why.' she broke
off suddenly, " are you i'll r
For Miss Bedell had fallen back
half fainting in her seat.
Mr. Barnett arose quietly.
Shall ] assist you to your car
riage, Miss Bedell? ?" he asked cody
and bending on her pair of searching
eyes which haunted her for . long
time after.
" Yes, please. F 8a
She leaned heavily on his protecting
arm. He placed her in her carriage,
gave directions to the driver to drive
her home, turned on his heel and en-
tered the ball room, not even waiting
for the carriage TO disappear from
view. H4 a
Sophie Bedell strained her eyes to
see the last of the retreating figure,
and stretching out her arms, cried:
Oh, Clarence! Clarence ! come tc
mel ,l
But the carriage ratified away, and
her voice was drowned in the clatter.
ing of the wheels.
"It is of no use, Sophie; our little
money is dwindling down to almost
nothing. We are very poor, child, and
you must work"
i" / am willing, mother, If I only
knew where to obtain employment
We might do dressmaking, but the
nlace is SO obscure no one would evei
find US.
"I am sure" said Mrs. Bedell, an.
grily, :" I don't want any OF our old
acouairtances to know of our poverty
It's very hard for me at time Of my life,
Sophie-very bard, indeed. You!
father ought to have had more consid.
GRAFTON than to reduce his family with
bis unlucky speculations, and to die
when he did Just as his failure was
known. If he had lived We would
not have fallen so much. He might
have acted differently for his family
sake" she said compiaihingly.
E" Poor papaf' unused Sophie. .hei
mournful gray eyes filed with tears,
/" Poor papa, he did it for the best
Still, mother, it is not as bad as you
imagine. True, we have not our car.
lriage and do not dress as handsomely
as formerly, but we have health, and ]
can assist in supporting you, mother .
g Assist, child" said Mrs. Bedell
uplifting her hands in tragic way and
sinking her voice to whisper. $50
phie, opr entire support devolves up
on You Il have not strength, child
end I am daily sinking my healtl
and hopes sre forever shattered"
g" Dear msma.D said Sophie, q
will do all 7 can. Why not call !,
physician If you feel so sick Y'
No. Sophie, I can die but once
but while I live I shall not throw
iaway my money. Sophie, " she con
|tinued, instantly changing her voic'
xuLA~as;r n1n s,oz, ~, D. =.