The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1886-07-22


write a note to him this moment"
The note was sent that evening" but no an
swer came. Mrs Temple began to think she
must be altogether out in her surmises. But
at twelve o'clock next morning, when Sophia
was walking in the town, the name Of Mr.:
Prendergast was announced, and he stepped
into the room with an apology for the early
call on his lips, and yet with an air which
plainly said "My business is my excuse. "
Mrs. Barbara Temple assured her visitor that
his call was not inopportune.
"In fact she said, with one of her engag-
ing laughs, 81 am famished for little scan
dal Scandal, if you pleaseP
"My call" Prendergast remarked quietly,
dis not of that character. The fact is" he
continued, opening his business at once, 1
have been greatly struck by your daughter,
/ wish to use no flafering language, puO
assure you that never, never have seen any
young lady who seemed to possess half her
attractions. She is lovely girl"
He stopped, and slight moisture In ms
eyes signifed that he was speaking from his
heart. Mrs. Temple made graceful inclina-
tion of her head.
ut is always agreeable to mother to hear
her daughter praised, +" she said "You have
not overrated Sophia, as I, who have watched
her from her cradle, can tell you"
"I came to see you this morning partly on
your account" Prendergast continued. u
know the responsibilities and anXieties of
mother, left in sole charge Of so attractive
girl. | do not wish to add to them, and the
least intimation of disapproval of my suit on
your part will be sufficient to make me
abandon it at once, and finally"
Possibly this grave gentleman, having eyes
in his head, may have known that the little
mother was dying to call him son-in-law;
and this noble speech may have had trace
of humbug in it. But Mrs. Barbara rever-
enced this sort of humbug 1t was more
spicy than reality She would not have
liked Prendergast for really meaning all this
civil consideration; but for pretending to
mean it, and for uttering the pretense with
an air so perfectly pharisaic, she could have
kissed him there and then So, Pharisee
feminine against Pharisee masculine, she
looked at him with a small and pensive sigh.
"How few men show such consideration"
II came also" said he, "on my own ac-
count. If Miss Temple is engaged, or if she
is not likely to look with favor upon me,
had rather know it. At least you might per-
hdpS give your
Mrs Temple liked him better than ever.
"Sly fellow" she said to herself. off he
dances as neatly as he plays demure he must
make good figure at ball :"
Aloud she remarked:
"In these matters | always like to speak
with the greatest possible franl,ness. We are
not driving a bargain across counter.
Your offer is to me, so far as | know you at
present, the defenseless woman inserted this
attorney clause with the sweetest smile,
''most gratifying. 1 believe you would try
to make Sophia happy, and "ould succeed"
1t was Prendergasts turn to incline his
head now, and he did it,
Gas to Sophia" continued the mother,
joining the tips of her fingers in a pondering
sort of way, that is a much more intri ,ate
matter"
"She is not engaged, is sheN the suitor
cried hastily.
'She is not She is perfectly unfettered.
But there has been sort Of attachment; her
affections have been"
II understand" Prendergast said with a
grave face. "You wish to break it gently to
me. l can assure you l should never try in
the remotest way to take from another man
affections l should so treasure if they were
my own"
He was speaking his real mind now, and
Mrs Temple looked at him, lowering bet Teen
admiration and amusement She had lived
in world of honor but not quite honor of
this sort; however, she always made her bow
to virtue when it was well dressed and ex-
pressed itself genteelly.
"a most high-minded feeling" she said.
"Just as l should feel myself But in the
present case such scruples would he out of
place This is only a boy and a girl affair;
there is no money, no prospect, no hope |
have said myselt-kindly, but firm y-that a
or even an engagement is out of
the question"
"And you do not think Miss Tymple's heart
irrevocably given away"
1t was a lesson in posture and grimace to
see the little worldling's pantomimc answer.
She disioined the finger tips, and her white
hands with upward palm, her gently raised
eyebrows, her shoulders quivering with a
scarcely perceptible shrug, her quick sig
niicant smile, We're each members of an un-
broken sentence. The meaning was, "The
female heart-Our heart-is seldom given ir-
revocably. Try for yourself" 1t was per-
'ectly Parsian.
''In that case Prendergast said reading
ler like print and with rising spirits, 81 am
,ull of hope"
"You may be-" she answered; but still
my daughter is not an ordinary girl There
must be great care. Every step must be
AIKEN with thought, and with an end in view
In a word, Mr. Prendergast, I think you
lad better be guided by me from first to last"
81 shall most thankfully y he said. and
jhen he composed himself to listen to his moni-
Tess.
(TO be COntinued.)