The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-06-12
|BEAUT'Y'SSECRET
By ALAN MUIR.
Author Of "Vanity Hurdtcare,n Golden
Girls" Etc.
(coNTINUED.)
CHAPTER IL

l
| SELF"
| Mrs Barbara Temple was in her glory
For a less complicated or more immediately
hopeful undertaking she would scarcely have
cared Sophia, she well knew, was not al
easy woman TO turn, and still less was sht
easy to beguile. Percival Brent had really
taken the girls fancy. He was more pre-
possessing, with his youth and his generou,
ways, than this grave, serious stranger, verg
ing on middle life. And the mother had
found by experience that affection witt
Sophia was not mere whim or fancy, much
less self-interest or passion. Its roots STRUCK
deep. For Mrs Temples present purpose the
mere vulgar brides of wealth and ease vert
not enough; all kinds of motives must be en-
gagged, auxiliaries from innumerabe quarters
must be united; the campaign must be care.
fully planned, the advance made neither toe
early nor too late, just at the moment OF
fate; and then the kingdom of Sophia's heart
would be won. But all this only kindled
| Mrs Barbara Temple into excitement. Mar,
rying Car and Sibyl had been child's play
here was game for mistress. She felt the
same exultation which a chess player feel.
who, long used to engage with adversaries tt
whom he can give castle and win easily
sits at last facing an enemy who would win
Il he got pawn or a move.
Everything must be done at the right
time," she said. Everything must be done
in the right way. Whom can | trust for
that Whomi Nobody except myself"
First of all she talked to Prendergast her.
self. Mingling certain difference for bis
opinion with unconcealed reliance on her own
,he told him that for the present he had bet,
ter not make any advances to Sophia.
"Rather the opposite" she said. "Seem te
retreat. Sophia has already noticed your
liking for her. Now, if you withdraw for q
| while, you will puzzle her She will say
| Did he admire me after all, or notl Has he
on coming to know me better, found me less
attractivef You will excite her curiosity
which, let me tell you, is great thing for q
lover to do. Besides, although Sophia may
not care for you, having once secured your
admiration, she will not like to lose it. No
woman wishes that man who once admired
| her should cease to admire her She may
not care for him-she may even have an
aversion to him-but she likes him to care
| for her And, say, if Sophia finds that you
grow cooler, she will wonder, question with
herself, feel a little piqued; and then, il
you turn round again and confess her power
-well-well-she will be rather more dis.
posed to give you some slight encouragement
Am | letting you into too many of our
| secrets, Mr. Prendergast."
with your knowledge of the heart he
answered, II could have vanquished Cleo
patra."
| She bowed but scarcely took time to taste
the flavor of the accompaniment Nosooner was
luncheon over than, making some excuse fol
dropping Sophia at friends house at one end
Of the town, she drove out to see Sybil the frs,
ally whose cooperation she meant to secure
Sibyl was alone in her drawing room, and
certainly all around were abundant signs Of
the magnitude of the price she had fetched
In the matrimonial exchange. She looked
very handsome, quite superb, Mrs. Temple
thought, as she rose to meet her mother But
| there was discomfort in her face.
"Sibyl, dear the mother said, ayour TASTE
Is nothing short of perfect This drawing
room grows lovelier every day. Where did
you pick up that little picturezn
In Bond street. she answered, listlessly.
"You paid price for it, can guessf
u know nothing about prices" Sibyl an
| swered haughtily
"And never need,n replied her mother
quickly. Happy girll'
Sibyl made no answer
u have come, DEAR her mother now said
ITO ask your assistance in a very delicate
matter. Prendergast wants to marry So
phia"
Sophia will not marry at present" Sibyl
remarked
Not unless we are very judicious But
with management she will Prendergast is O
man after her own heart, just the sort of
man she would have fallen in love with II
this ridiculous affair with Mr. Brent's son did
not stop the way. Now Sophia must not pass
this offer by. | am determined she shall
not PreDdergast is very rich, and he is will.
ing to settle down here"
sand what of thatr Sibyl asked
what OF that Why, here yos three
girls will be In the one neighborhood, and
that pleasant one. Each will have hand
some establishment; and think how you viii
be able to put yourselves at the head o.
everything. You will soon be the leaders o.
the county; with your looks and you
cleverness and your taste you ought to be
You can have your London houses, you an6
Sophia Immediately, and Car when those ole
people die. You can have your trips to tn
continent, your entertainments at hOme-O
Sibyl, why had never such n chance when
was your agel How | should have enjoyed
the world"
"You did enjoy it, mamma"
Now, Sibyl," the mother went on, mo-
noticing this remark, there is one thing
which wish you to impress upon Sophia
that is the comfort of riches You can speal
from experience; tell her how fine a thing
wealth Is Impress it upon her You NIGH
even say, foryou know Sophy's turn of mind
that you find yourself able to do much goot
to help the poor-charitable work
churches-anything can he done with money
That is my special charge to you, Sibyl; thu
next time You and Sophy meet tell her some
thing of your experience of riches. Nov
where is Archibaldp
"He went into the library after lunch,
Sibyl said rather sulkily. He wanted t.
read The Times"
Two minutes later Mrs Barbara Temple
was confronting her son-in-law Goldmore
who, with his newspaper laid across hi
knee, waited to hear what it was of which
her shrewd face was full.
Sophia has had an offer-at least it ha
been made to me--from Mr.. Prendergast."
Goldmore bowed his head in way which
iignifed approval of Mr.. Prendergast Ther
Nc said:
at would have been a good connection
f."
"If whatf"
"If Sophia had not fallen in love witt
Brent"
@Now, my dear Archibald" cried Mrs
Temple, slapping her hands together slightly
in her vexation, surely you know bettel
than that Sophia has not given her hear
away; it is girlish whim, and we nigh
safely leave it to cure itself; only tim
presses. Sophia must marry Prendergast
should die of chagrin if saw another wo
mans daughter get him now. In this matte
you can help me. You have weight and dig
nifty, and you speak in a commanding way
Now, want you to press this marriage upor
Sophia, from the point of obedience, duty
and prudence. You can tell her how muci
my heart is fixed upon it; and you might say
something about the blessing attached t.
those who obey the fifth commandment
Here OIIr little mother couOhed sliohflv hlees