The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-06-23
CHAPTER V.
LADY RIVALS WITH THE SEAS BETWEEN
THEM

LADY RIVALS WITH THE SEAS BETWEEN
THEM
After these first transports were over
Sophia noticed that her lover spoke in
voice of sadness, and not with the exultation
which so joyful a meeting might be supposed
to inspire. Sophia at once remembered what
she had been told of his i'll fortune and made
no doubt that he was detected by the thought
of it, She could not understand what de jec-
ton meant just then, being in happy
mood that J er spirits flew far above every
vulgar care.
She had a kind of feeling that all would be
well somehow, but she asked her lover ten
derby if any anxiety pressed upon him, and
he at once told her the truth.
81 have not prospered," he said sadly.
Complaint always comes with a bad grace
from one who is unsuccessful, but I assure
you | have not had fair chance The man
with whom | was working promised to take
me into partnership, and all seemed to go
well for while, but we had quarrel
"About what" Sophia asked, with keen in
terest ~Was Bessie Warren in the quarrelg"
she says TO herself. She tosses her head with
little of the triumph of the woman who has
won the man. Percival Is as unconscious of
it as Miss Bessie Warren herself can be-
"Oh, as to what we quarreled about, that is
not of any great Importance" Percival re-
piled, with little hesitation "A short time
after his daughter"
"Sol" Sophia thought, Il was rather ex-
pecting her to come in somewhere here"
His daughter" continued Percival agot
engaged to another man"
"To aaother man. exclaimed Sophia
Had she an affair with any one beforeg7
How sharp you girls are in love matters.7
says plain Percivai not seeing her drift, how
ever.
at was not exactly an affair l think sh<
took a liking to a man who would not take Z
liking to her"
"Now just tell me- Sophia said, stopping
him here, was she pretty
"How quick you girls are to ask about each
other's faces!' cries plain Percival again.
AShe is in Australia, and YOU -lrere Pretty
or plain, what is it TO you.1
Il want to know, Sophia said -and know
shall. Was she pretty,r
'Very pretty indeed, Percival answers.
"And you say she took liking 10 a man
who did not take a liking to herr
YES; he did not care for her.
All through his life Percival never under
stood why Just at this moment Sophia got a
little closer TO him and pressed his hand 50
kindly
60 on, Percy she said: @teIl me more
%WeI, she engaged herself to another man,
and he and l never got on; and then the old
man became rather disagreeable and nothing
went right, and it ended in my throwing the
| thing up and here l am. Sophia, quite penni-
less. Indeed dear, If It had not been for
what you hid in that pocket | should not
have been here to-day"
He stopped and shook his head sadly
Never mind, Percyf7 Sophia said gayly.
@You are here in safety Something viii
turn up for YOU. Archibald win get you
something, l am sure Archibald makes a
pet of meI'
@Noi' cries proud Perciyal Il have got the
promise of a situation in Sydney capital
situation too, and out there ! shall go, and
work my way
| At thi. Sophia's face fell, and she was
about TO speak with great eagerness, when
the maid came in and announced that Gold
more wished to see Sophia in the library.
Percivai was for going away but she would
not hear of it.
1T is my honse now, she said. with a sad
smile; ~you must stay with me a little longer.
Wait until ] come back
| With a doubting and fearfnl heart she
descended to the library. She was fully pre-
| pared for the worst as regarded her mothers
affairs, and, alas, money had never seemed
| so precious in her eyes before. Had she but
a fortune now, how happy she and Percy
might be- She braced herself, however, for
the shock which she felt sure was coming,
and opened the library door. Seated at a
table, all covered with papers. were her
| brother-in-law and her mothers solicitor
and by the candlelight their faces, half
shaded and half seen. looked very ominous
| To Sophia. at least, everything seemed
gloomy. Goldmore rose from his seat sol
eTnnly and set chair for her at the table,
and then with his usual three syllable cere-
mony began to speak