The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-12-23

or no ellecG VI Ell.
"This picture is good-very good" the
father said, gazing at it, "but must tell you
that it does not do the girl justice. Where it
fails cannot say; indeed l can scarcely say
what it is that makes Sophia Temple so hand
some"
OF course the son listened to all this with
greedy ears; and the conversation turned into
q discussion of the prospects of the affair
which for the present the father would not
admit to be hopeful, still remembering his
own late repulse. When, however, young
Brent ascertained that his father was on
visiting terms with the family he would hear
no more of doubt or difficulty. With such
an opening the fault must be his if he did not
make the girl his own.
aYou are sure she is not engaged!" he
asked.
aOh, yes, quite sure" the rector answered.
"None of the girls are engaged; indeed, the
only one of the family who has been talked
about in that respect is tho"
MIR. Brent stopped, and turned as red as
turkey cock. He never did guard bis lips
well, and this disclosure came out before be
remembered how awkward the subject might
be- So he repeated the sentence stammer-
ingly. Ii. e -, g. ,,;,,, A. o. ,,os +o,r.d
about III that respect was"
"You don't mean her mother" cried the
young fellow. He was quite interested in his
beauty's mother, and was ready to be inter-
ested in her grandmother if necessary.
Eyes, the mother was talked about" the
rector said, still red = self-consciousness;
but there was nothing Percy-nothing.
as the mother handsome9" asked our lover,
vivaciously
Decidedly handsome, the father replied
"About what ages"
"Her age, Percy" the rector replied, gloom
ily, "has rot been ascertained.'
Young Brent was man of scientific tastes,
and it was to his credit that, born as he was
to great expectations, he steadfastly pursued
his studies, in which lie was now no con-
temptible authority. Geology was bis
favorite, and he resolved to devote his
energies to that science, for he was
old-fashioned enough to believe that birth
to good fortune imposes obligations on
the inheritor. Young Brent resolved to
make his mark in the world. Like all young
enthusiasts, he must be for ever talking over
his subjects, and he would try to interest his
futher in geology; but Brent senior had no
patience with the Unsuitable demands of that
science for time. "In the name Of goodness"
he would say, lis not six thousand years
enough FOR you? Just tlrink wEa5 could be
done in six thousand yearsl Up to that time
you can do as you please, but do object to
Tour upsetting everything on the plea Of
wanting time to account for n dead fish be-
ing found in one of your strata. IS it any
great matter how it came there, or when? To
be upsetting Bishop Usher simply because
somebody has found few bones i'll rock
where he did not expect it, seems to me the
most monstrous thing over heard Of"
For all that, when the eosy-humored rec
tor heard his son praised in company for his
scientific attainments he was not i'll pleased;
and contrasting his earnest and energetic
youth with the idleness and frivolity OF other
Young fellows in the town, he was willing to
excuse the mild skepticism which contented
itself with requiring little chronological
elasticity from Bishop Usher. Indeed, the
rector might fairly be proud Of his son; in
tellectual ardor is seldom exclusive, and the
Young mans love Of science gave him SYM
pathy with much beside which was not d.
rectly scientific He took an interest in
, politics, but with Radical symptoms, which
his father pounced upon with vigilance and
great heat, ending the dispute generally with
laugh, and the hope that things would last his
time Besides this young Brent was good
musician, and not without literary tastes for
he dabbled in poetry. But partly through
studious shyness, and more from certain
physical awkwardness, he was not altogether
a drawing room man. Ee had too great
respect for women to be altogether q favorite
with them; for these exalted beings, knowing
their celestial qualities, cannot sec why they
should be approached with downcast eyes
VI addressed with faltering lips. So young
Brent was not q ladJ's man, nor q company
man, although there were stories OF ut least
TWO pretty girls having been In love with
him; and as to company, whenever the talk
grew serious, Brent, as by natural right,
began to speak freely, and spoke often with
great success.
1t was impossible to Withstand the lovers
entreaties, and 50 little Mr. Brent, divided
between uneasiness and satisfaction, fearing
q repulse and yet not without hope Of now
wholly regaining his footing in the widows
lively house, introduced his son to the
ladies. AL four were in the drawing room
when the gentlemen were announced, and
young Brent was sufficiently master OF
himself not to betray any preference for
one daughter before another. Indeed, he
rather avoided Sophia, talked more and more
freely with Caroline and Sibyl; and so few
and shy were the glances he cast at her he
worshiped, that four pair of female eyes did
not, in quarter of an hour, detect him as
lover. Caroline rather liked his conversa-
tion, which was trile bookish; but Sibyl
pronounced him awkward and bashful.
Sophia said nothing, from which one might
have fancied that she thought the more; but
it is certain that, as yet, she had not recoS-
nized lover.
Young Brent left the house enchanted He
was ready to say, like the dazzled queen OF
the East, that the half had not been told him.
Sophia Temple did, indeed, look very lovely
that morning, and as her face was in most
particular sense q face of expression, no por-
trait could do her justice. The young lover
flew off in all ecstasy of praise Was ever a
true picture of wolnanhood seen before: Was
not Sophia the living presentation of that
Of ,,,j cnpcit,ilit,, ,ybirh hpVpIS