The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1886-07-22
SECRET
Ply ALAN MUIR.
Author of "Vauity Hardware" Golden
Girls" Etc.
CHAPTER VI.

coats prepared for her part of the affair She
was fully determined to root out of her
daughters mind the memory of Percival
Brent, and to marry Sophia brilliantly be-
fore many months were out. No sooner had
the young lover departed than she perceived
how much she had furthered her own ends
by her indulgence to her daughter these last
few days, especially at the parting hour.
Sophia was quite tender with her when they
met, kissed her, fondled her, and was all the
evening so affectionate amid her hlrdly-re-
pressed grief, that the little plotting woman
began to discover a soft place in her own
stony heart She was gentle with Sophia,
and took no direct notice of the poor girls
tears, which would come once or twice
during the evening, only, as she passed,
gtroked her head softly, intending to signify
that she sympathized with her, which she
really did. Tomorrow she would turn over
her new leaf.
"Sophy," she said at breakfast, ut is ten
years this month since we were in Paris
have a fancy to go over there before the
weather gets too hot Would you like it'"
"Anywhsre with you, dear, Sophy replied,
cheerfully She was determined not to NOPE,
and to begin early.
"That's pleasant" the mother answered.
with beaming look. eve shall start this
day week"
Dresses had to be ordered, hotels had to be
chosen, a hundred preparations had to be
made, and Mrs. Temple saw with exultation
that Sophia entered into all the plans with
great spirit The mother read in this a sign
that alBeady Percival was fading out of mind
al was sure he would" " the little woman said
to herself. "Of course he must as time goes
on"
They stayed month in Paris, and the
whole of the time she managed to keep So
phia entertained in the most diverting way.
They had friends there, and the days were
passed in a set of choice little pleasures and
whatever that inexhaustible purse of Mrs
Temples could do to burnish the hours was
done with her own taste and tact.
II shall show Sophia what the world isl"
the worlds worshiper said to herself "and
the Australian boy will soon vanish from her
mind, and love in a cottage with him. Cot
tage, ndeedl not if you can get house, and
not house if you can get a mansion o,
it is wonderful how slow Sophia is to see the
value of life! But she is beginning and with
her good sense she will soon be able to teach
instead Of being taught"
And now, to Mrs. Temples unspeakable
qualification, there appeared ON the scene a
man who was plainly thinking of making
Sophia an offer. Had the little woman been
choosing a suitor she could not-so she said
afterward-have made more promising selec-
ton. must not say much about him. He
was ten years Sophia's senior, sedate but not
gloomy in his manner, his fortune was ample,
his birth high, and his appearance was con-
sidered prepossessing. He had long been resi-
dent in the neighborhood of Kettlewell but
in Paris they were first introduced He met
the mother and daughter at dinner. Mrs
Barbara Temple, hearing of him before, had
already wished inly that he might be struck
with Sophia. She marked him as he walked
into the room, and at sight of him her wishes
redoubed. During dinner she watched him
narrowly. For a time he did not seem to
have even noticed Sophia, but at last he
looked at her. The little mother saw his gaze
arrested in pleasurable SURPRISE and for the
rest of the evening he managed to look at the
young girl as often as possible.
The next day the stranger, whose name
was Prendergast, made some excuse for cali
ing upon them, and you may be sure he
was graciously received. His conversation
pleased Sophia, that was plain; and Mrs
Temple, watching him, saw in his manner
that which delighted her bevond expression.
Next day fresh invitation came from the
friend at whose house they had first met-just
hasty party, the note said.
"Aha," little Mrs. Temple said to herself,
"a hasty party Got up at the instigation Of
Prendergast, l dare swear Sherwood and
he are such friends. If Prendergast does not
take Sophia down to dinner, am much mis-
taken"
He did. And he proved a genial COM
panion, with plenty of talk Of the quieter
sort. He could interest cultivated women,
being artistic and literary without being a
pedant or a bore-that, at least, was his !
friends opinion Of him
"Don't you think Mr. Prendergast very
entertainingP the mother asked as they !
drove home. |
"Very,' Sophia replied, emphatically.
The little woman nearly skipped off her seat .
for triumph.
During these early days Mrs. Temple could =,
never quite make out whether or not Sophia !,
perceived that this promising Mr. Prendergast !,
was in love with her. In love he clearly was, !
but his manner was so unobtrusve, and his !,
general conversation so lively that even !
Sophia might not have detected what was !
plain to the watching eyes Of her mother. 1t !
was nice point for Mrs Temple 70 settle. !
Sophia evidently enjoyed their new friends !
society, and as she was no coquette-not as '
much as she ought to be, her mother used to ,
say-she must either have forgotten one lover ,
or not recognized the other. Which was the
fact Mrs Temple longed to know. Some
times she thought Sophia was in reality pre-
occupied, and only assumed a vivacity to
cover her want Of interest. At other times,
and more frequently, Mrs. Temple felt con-
uiOpod tbot he Iry ,,1o
dergast, and would, after decent interval,
confess her satisfaction.
At last an evening came when Prendergast,
calling in upon the Temples, found the
mother and daughter at home, and, after
title conversation, music happened to be
mentioned at which Mrs. Barbara made the
most casual remark about Sophia having
sung a particular song the night before.
Prendergast asked if h. might hear it, and
Sophia, consenting, with listless air sat
down to the piano and sang. Prendergast
praised the song, asked for another and an
other, and Sophia complied in the same list
less way. She sang well, but her eyes had a
kind of far-of look, very suggestive of
Australia. The little mother, however
could not see Sophia's face; Prendergast's she
saw, and it told her great deal At last
Sophia began, soft in the Silly Night" and
now mo doubt because the theme touched
herr she sang with great expression and ten
derness, and her admirer stood over her.
radiant with love and admiration.
20, that | could see her" murmured Mrs
Barbara. She scanned Sophia eagerly when
the song was finished, but her expression said
neither Eyes" nor mo" Shortly after
Prendergast bid them good night, and re-
strained, as his manner usually was, he now,
either through accident or with design, let |
Sophia know the state of his heart. Mrs
Barbara Temple saw flush come out on her
daughters pale face as she withdrew her
hand from, HE