Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-05-30
CHAPTER VIII


he old womsn's face. She either did not
Or could not any longer dress herself with
the same deceptive skill as in days gone By,
and new in every feature Of her face any
ave could see that she was an old woman
a very old WOMAN. indeed She sat wrap
ped up csrefuily in a splendid Indian shawl,
and q fire blazed on the hearth; and she
looked cold and somewhat hfeless, although
her eyes were still bright and her voice
strong. Sophia, who stayed always with
her, was reading The Morning Post TO her,
but the old woman did not listen With her
accustomed attention,
"Sophy," she said at last, II had visit
from Mrs. Done yesterday"
Indeed, mamma" Sophia replied She
bit her lip, and go hid smile, spirited and
contempruou5. with a dash OF amusement
In it. And what does &rs. Done want,
.
"She says her son is ic love with you. -"
Delightful, mamma" Sophia replied,
now with open amusement on her face. So
he has throgr his handker ,hiet AZ last. De
may pick it up agsiG, Eamms, and put 1t
in his pocket
Nov, Sophia, don't talk in that hasty,
way" the old woman said.
sllthose cases We should consider, dear,
there is nothing like
Leather, mammal" Sophia cried, mer-
rily, catching up her mother old mockiug
phrase The bright Oc.obsr sunshine and
some whim of her oSn feelings had put
Der in good spirits that morning.
VERY pleasant, dear" the little mother
marked, shaking her head soLsr!y. Some
how her whole style of speech vas relaxing
in energy; her words were pitched low;
she did not speak with her former decision,
Presently she said:
you mast renember young Mrs, Done
was never in trade; beside, Sophia, as viii
settle twenty thousand pounds on you"
Cant be had under forty, mammal
Sopbia seemed resolved TO treat the matter
in this jocuiaE way. Il was plain that she
realized that she sEd her mother had
changed positions; she was virtually mis-
treas now; there might be argument, but
no struggle of will.
"Sha'n't cry cherry rips under forty
thousand pounds, mamma" And Sophia
tossed her head and looked saucy and en-
gaging, and cheap at double the money.
Now listen to me, SOPHIA her mother
said. you will never have such another
offsr-from money point of view"
well. mamma | will be serious" So.
phia answered, sui.ing her faca 10 her words
Il would not marry that man for anything
be could give me. To begin with, | know
what his lie has been
Now, my dear Sophia" her mother said,
with deprecs'ing gesture, 81 will not hear
anything about his manner Of lite.' The
men are all in tault in that way.
("Onc l know is not" Sophia teuderly
thought, claSping her darlings memory to
her heart.)
"All are in fault that way" continued
Mrs. Temple. Some let US know il, others
to hide it In fact, all sre alike
Aud, indeed, Sophia batter marry man
who, before msrrisga, has-haa-&eea the
,rorh, than one who will make you I'M
happy after. The wilder the bachelor, the
stesdier the husband, SO | often have found
it."
Now you don't mean It, mamma; you
know you don't
Il do mean it, indeed, dear; and besides,
whose fault is il if men are wild? Ours,
ny dear; ours alone. We are so fond Of
conquest and impression that we never
cave them alone, We get them into the
habit OF mind, deRr. Have | not watched
Tomen2 More especially tia man is at all
we long TO make an impression.
All women do. Ny desr Sophia, the
greatest prpde that ever lived is pleased if
he hears that celebrated man admires
Ter. Rs he married or single abe will mo-
are; she had rather have the tribute Of
Idmirs'i1n thau not have it. 0, Sophia,
We are quite as much to blame as the men
We all like to hsye them st our feet; |
Ike it myself desrT'
Mamma"
when they are celebrated, dear, remark.
bic, worth catching, you know"
what is Mr.. Done celebrated for?' |
'ophia asked, scorntuily.
money, dear. As good thing az spy
ther. Some men are conspicuous for for
lGe, others for looks. others for talent
theirs for family. But when a man is con-
picuous for anything women ike TO have
is admiration, and that is how half the
len are spoiled, dear; we 60 it ourselves
Thy, even it man is conspicuous for viz
,e, most of US would like 10 bring him 10
lie ground-to have him Sigh for us only
nee; aud then we can toss our besds and
2 IS good as we please Our vanity is
ratified"
Now, mamma Sophia said. rather
rocked at this speech, and not knowing
neither her mother was serious or not but
solved TO treat i: IS io2ulay, this is only
bur merry way; do be serious"
II will, dear, if you will be serious, too"
THERE sm serious now"
very well, then. Try and make up your
ind to marry this Young man Twenty
ousand pounds, SOPHIA
Mamma. figures would not write the
IN that l would take to marry him for.
g is q vulgar. selfish. odious fellow.
AIRY him" Sophia shivered az when
me one walks over our grave. Call him
lsbsnd p
She made grimsce, which her mother
uld not have surpassed, and which clinch-
the discussion. i
very well, Sophy," the old woman said, ,
liking hack in her arm chair rather ,
'srily, you must have Jour own way.
My remember, desr, when l am gone, ! '
u had the chance of veal h and ease be-
re left you"
The words alarmed Sophia sfresh. She !
IS certsin now of what her future would =
; but she put on bright face. :
Never mind, mamma, you are not go. \
: 10 leave me yet; and when you do. if =
else fails, | eau sew gloves st twopsnce !;
,air; bat ! will not parry man the very Q
,ught Of whom makes my flesh creep. 9
J, mamma, mamma" Sophia cried, re- :,
sing into gsyety now that her point was .
n, "for making you dislike an offer there's !
hing like leather" =
CAAPTER TX. :
WHICH soPHIA's EYES FILL WITH TEARS. Z,
For some rsrson, which | caunot divine. I
phia treated the proposal OF the leather
rchsnt's son as an stfront. The matter v