The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-05-15

The next DAY MS tnougntS were ur1seu lnto
another channel AT breakfast he got q letter
from his son announcing his arrival in Lon
don, and saying that he would be in Kettle
well at half past four that afternoon. Amidst
the vexation of the last two days, this was a
prospect full of relief, and the young fellow
was received with moro than paternal wei
come Before dinner was over, between the
influence of meat and wine and the society OF
his son, all acting on n trivial nature, easily
moved, the rector was quite comforted. Now
he could have faced Mrs. Barbara Temple
with a Jest and look of pleasantly. AT least,
50 he fancied
Brent junior was good1ooking young fell
low of three and twenty, with frank, sim
pie manner well suited to his years, Men
tally he was much superior to his father, and
every sentence showed it; but he behaved
with a filial Difference which was pleasant to
see. All through the dinner there was a
touch of preoecupation and even sadness
about him, and upon this his father remarked
as soon as they We're alone.
u hope you have not left any one behindp
the father asked humorously.
NO" the son answered, with blush and a
laugh "You don't think me quite a simple
ton in this matter, do you"
We'll, Percy, You are young" the sage
father replied AT my time of life if man
fell in love with picture, think he would
be bit of an ass. But then | am forty nine
have age and experience, and knowledge of
the world"
"You are very kind To take it in that way,
the son answered., Il really don't want to be
| laughed at y
as this wonderful picture in your poses
| sionl' Brent senior inquired next
YES" the young fellow answered eagerly;
and he was darting up stairs to fetch it,
| Pausing on his way, he said: Il had better
| tell you the story Of it first
| He made no bad picture himself, leaning
carelessly against the sideboari, his face and
| ewes kindling as he spoke with the delight Of
| the subject Little Mr. Brent regarded hin!
with no small pride; and the young fellow,
| with a light bashfulneSs which made tn.
! little narrative the more interesting, told hi.
| ,tory.
| Il met an artist ont there, and he and be
game great friends He fell i'll. and Hui:si
him, and when he was getting better, on,
| isy, to pass the tire, he asked ME to lool
ever his portfolio There WAS a great deal il
| it for which cared nothing: but Just at tn
end he drew ont little sketch of IA girl
| head and shoulders-with border of simpl'
white dress, and, as | thought, the lovelies
| face | ever saw | was quite dumb as
looked at it, and there and then, father,
| fell in love; and declare to You felt tina
even if this woman were only a painter
ideal, still so had she captivated me, that
could never give my heart TO any Twin.
woman. The memory of this picture woul'
possess me, and would hang, as it were
| above the living face and rebuke its imper
| fections You are not laughingH
Il am forty-nine, Percy the father said
with the calmntSs Of wisdom you ar
| twenty -four.'
We'll, shall not trouble YOU with ioni
story the young fellow continued. ''Luckil,
for me, my friend was lying on a couch, ans
did not perceive my agitation, or be nigh
| have laughed me out of the dream | foun'
the sketch represented real living girl
| real living girl, fatheri-unmariied, English
and, best of all, living not far from here
asked for the picture. which he gave m
readily. Curiously enough, he did not seer
| TO see in it the superlative beauty which
| saw. Oh how hung over that picture HoN
! idolized it, II was near me night and day
and at every glance my love for the origina
increased Father, that is the woman | shal
marry, if ever marry at air
you must see what her character i
| Percy the father said And we must max
few inquiries about family-and property.
Her origin must be retinelr' the love
cried. Her character could be nothing hu
the noblest! As for property-propertyl-
give me that girl, and 1 shall work har
enough to earn a world,'
So saying, he ran up stairs, and in a me
ment returned hearing the precious pietur
wrapped up in folds of silver paper. Wit
trembling haste, but with more than womanl
care, he put back one smooth sheet after al
other until the cardboard lay on the tabl
face down; then, drawing a long breath, b
turned the picture up before his father
There, be murnured, let her plead he
own cause
AT the same instant his father uttered a
exclamation OF surprise.
why, Percy" he said, this girl is a frien
of mine
a friendl' the lover cried rapturouSly,
AN old friend" the rector answers
"Hcr mother is-ahem,--an old friend {
mine-a very old friend, | may say. We al
quite on intimate terms The name of tn
young lady is Miss Sophia Temrlei"