The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-06-02

He spoke quietly: aud Mrs Temple, glanc-
ing at her daughter, saw her bend over her
little morsel of lacework with a crimson
cheek
':She knows now, at all events, !" the mother
said triumphantly.
And when Prendergast took his leave, Mrs
Temple resolved fairly to open her mind to
Sophia.
Il have never, Sorhy,n she began, never
in my life seen a man who more takes my
fancy The door was hardly shut upon him.
cat first l thought him rather duh and,
well-sanctifiedn Here our little vivacious
sinner made the smallest and genteelest face
of scorn ''But that soon wears off; and
declare that, in spite of my first impression,
find him the most truly lively, entertaining,
accomplished man have ever met What
do you think, SophyE
"He is very agreeable Sophia said Sc
riously.
sPolite without affectation, witty without
coarseness. serious without cant" Mrs. Tenn
pie went on, in true Eighteenth century high
style. He is a specimen of moderation IL
all things; and moderation, Sophia, next to
repose of manner, is the great mark of a gen.
tleman gentleman should be little OF
everything. and not too much of anything.
! Have You ever met so accomplished manf
aYes,n Sophia replied, dexterously affecting
not to hear the last part of her mothers
speech, "he is all you say. l like him greatly.
Il am going to ask him to dinner Mrs
| Temple said.
~What, mammar' exclaimed Sophia. Com
pany 50 soon. Wait little.'
Not company, child, the mother answered
aAII alone He win like it better than {
party"
aAnd spoil one of our little snug evenings,
| Sophia rnur1nured Don't, mamma
@Now what is there in our evenings you 81
! enjoy, Sophia.7
@Oh,n that dear hypocrfte answered, Il en-
| ioy the quiet-and-and our music-and-
and your talk, mamma, and all your funny
| lively stories. You are the best company il
| the worid@
She put her hands caressingly round he
mothers neck, and the mother, who alway
showed herself pleased with every mark o
affection from her daughters, drew oneroun'
white arm along her lips. giving it a succes
sion Of tiny kisses.
aPoor Prendergast viii find it terribly dul
at the hotel, Sophy. Really, it would be quit
barbarous to leave him there alone
SWELL, if you must have him, mamma
have some people to meet him
Il don't think he would care for that
@If he wants society, II Is Just what b
would care for mamma
But he does not want society," the mothe
! replied; ''only a little friendly chat an
music. Yes she added, resolved to carr
her point at once, "I shall sit down an
write note to him this moEnent
The note was sent that evening, but no Al
sEer came Mrs Temple began to think 81
must be altogether out In her surmises. BT
I
was walking in the town, the name Of III
Prendergast was announced, and be steppe
into the room with an apology for the earl
call on his Iips. and yet with an air whic
plainly said: MY business IS my excuse
Mrs. Barbara Temple assured her visitor tn
his call was not inopportEne-
In fact she said, with one OF her engaa
ing laughs. 81 am famished for a little scal
dal Scandal, If you pleaseFa
l sMy can,- Prendergast remarked quietl.
Eis not Of that character. The fact IS,
continued. opening his business at once,
have been greatly struck by your daughte
l wish to use no hattering language, but
assure YOU that never, never have seen Al
Young lady who seemed to posses half b
attractions She is a lovely girli.
]. He stopped, and slight moisture in B
ewes signified that be was speaking from !
heart Mrs Temple made a graceful nclin
ton Of her head
;, 1T Is always agreeable to mother 70 he
her daughter praised, she said You na'
not overrated Sophia, as I, who have watch
= her from her cradle, can tel You
Il came 10 see you this morning partly I
:. your account, Prendergast continued
know the responsibilities and anxieties Of
: mother, left in sole charge Of 50 attractive
! girl / do not wish to add 70 them, and {
least intimation Of disappr0val Of my suit
e your part win be sufficient to make i
abandon il at once, and finally
= Possibly this grave gentleman, having eJ
I il his head, may have known that TIE N
e mother Vas dying to can him son=in-la'
Z and this nohle speech may have bad . tra
e Of humhug In it. But Mrs Barbara rev
enced this sort cf hunbug- II WIS md
spicy than reality. She would not Ia
liked PIenderxast for really meaning Al 4
civil consideration; but for preteadi1g
} mean Il and for utterirg tbs pretenss vi
' an air 50 perfectly phariszsie, she could ha
!. kissed hiln there and then- So. Pharii
: feminine AGAINST Fharzsee masculine, 5
: looked at hin with small and pensirs siz
!, How few men show such consideration
q I came also said be, Hon ny oNn |
count II MIS- Temple is engaged, Or s
IS not Likely to look with favor upon me
= had rather know Il At laass you might >
haps give ne your ygur-ddgice.