The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-10-31

pressed merriment as she gave two or
three hearty breathings, and followed
them up with nasal explosion worthv
an orthodox deacon. 1t was we'll done
and theatrically done--and poor
Harry sprung bolt upright, surprised,
mortified, chagrined. Human nature
could stand it no longer, and Sophie
gave vent to her mirth in a burst of
triumphant laughter.
tYou little witcE--you mischief
you spirit of evil! /! exclaimed the re-
lieved Harry as he sprang to her side
and caught her by the arm with a grip
which made her scream. 'You de-
serve a shaking for your behavior!'
Then lowering his voice he added
gravely:
sWill you never haye 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 candid refusal?'
Words sprang to Sophie's lips that
would haye done credit to her woman
ly nature, for the whole depth of her
being was stirred and drawn toward
him as they never before had been
toward any man.
But she could not quite give up her
railery then. She would go one step
further from him ere she laid her hand
in his, and tell him he was dearer to
her than all the world besides. So she
checked the tender response that
trembled on her tongue and flinging
off his grasp with mocking gesture
and ringing laugh, darted across the
room to the piano.
So she seated herself, ran her fingers
gracefully over the keys, and broke
out in wild, brilliant, defiant song,
that made her listeners ears tingle as
he stood watching her, and choking
back the indignant words that came
crowding to his lips for utterance.
Sophie, listen to me 7 said he at last
as she paused from sheer exhaustion.
6 Is it generous-is it just 10 trifle with
tions of heart that offers to you the
most reyerent affections? have loved
you because beneath this volatile sur
face of yours, thought saw truth
fulness and simplicity, purity of soul,
and a warm current of tender, woman
ly feelings that would bathe with
blessings the whole life of him whose
hand was so fortunate as to touch its
secret springs. You are an heiress,
and only poor student; but if that
is the reason why you treat me SO
scornfully, you are less the noble wo-
man than thought you.'
Sophie's head was averted, and a
suspicious moisture glistened in her
eyes as Harry ceased speaking. All
why is it that we sometimes hold our
highest happiness so lightly-carrying
1t carelessly in our hands, as though
it were but dross, stalking it all upon
an idle caprice.
Then she turned her countenance
toward him again, the same mocking
light was in her eyes, the same CO.
quettish smile breathed from her lips.
speaking of heiresses,' said Sophie
there's Helen Myrtle, whose father is
worth twice as much as mine. Per-
haps you had better transfer your at
tentions to her, Mr.. Ainslee. The diff
ference in our dowries would no doubt
be quite an inducement, and possibly
she might consider your case more Sc.
riously than have DONE
Like all insulted prince, Harry Aims
lee stood up before her--the hot, frey
indignant blood dashed in fierce tor
| rent over his tace--his arms crossed
tightly upon his breast, as if to keep
his heart from bursting with uprising
indignation--his lips compressed and
his dark eyes flashing.
Not till he had gone gone without
a single word of explanation, leaving
only grave goodbye and the mem
| ory of his pale face to plead for him.
did the thoughtless girl wake to a
realization of what she had done. Then
quick, terrible fear shot through her
heart, and she would have given every
| curl on her brown head to have him
beside her one short moment longer.
sPshaw! what am I afraid of? He
will be back again within twenty-four
hours and as importunate as ever, she
muttered to herself, as the street door
closed behind him; yet with sigh
that was half a sob, followed the
words, and could Harry have seen the
beautiful palr of eyes that watched
him so eagerly as he went along the
street, or the bright face that leaned
away out through the parted blinds
with such a wistful look as he disap-
peared, it might have been his turn to
triumph.
In spite of Sophie's prophecy, twen-
ty-four hours did not bring back Har-
ry. Days matured into weeks and
still he did not come, nor in all that
time did she meet him. And now she
began to think herself quite martyr.
and acted occordingly. In fact, she
did as almost any heroine would have
done under the circumstances-grew
pale and interesting. Mariana began
to suggest the dclicacies to tempt So
phie's palate. 'The poor dear child
was getting so thin In vain Sophie
protested that she had no appetite.
In vain papa brought dainty gifts
and piled up costly presents before
'thank you,' was the only recompense
If sister Kate suggested that Harry's
absence was in any manner connected
with her altered demeanor, Sophie
would toss her ringleted head with an