Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-06-18

the world
She put her hands cnrcssinglv round 1r
mothers neck, and the mother, who always
showed herself pleased with every mark Of
affection from her daughters, drew one round
white arm along her lips giving 1t IA success
sion Of tiny kisses.
"Poor Prendergast will find it terribly duh
at the hotel, Sophy Really, it would be quite
barbarous to leave him there alone"
"Wel, if you must have him, mamma,
have some people to meet him.
81 don't think he would care for that
"If he wants society, it is just what he
would care for mamma"
"But he does not want society," the mother
replied "only little friendly chat and
music Yes she added, resolved to carry
her point at once IL shall sit down and
write note to him this moment"
The note was sent that evening, but no an
swer came Mrs, Temple began to think she
must be altogether out in her stumiseS. But
at twelve o'clock next morning, when SOPHIA
was walking in the town the name of Mr.
Prendergast was announced and he stepped
into the room with an apology for the early
call on his lips, and yet with an air which
plainly said MY business is my excuse
Mrs Barbara Temple assured her visitor that
his call was not mopportunc
ain fact, she said, with one Of her engag-
ing laughs, 81 am furnished for little scan
dal Scandal, if you please!
"My call Prendergast remarked quietly,
"is not of that character The fact is he
continued. opening his business at once, 81
| have been greatly struck by your daughter,
| | wish to use no hatterng language hut |
| assure YOU that never, never have ! seen any
! Young lady who seemed to possess half her
| attractions. She is a lovely girl"
He stopped, and a slight moisture in his
eyes signifed that he was speaking from his
heart Mrs. Temple made graceful inclina-
ton of her head.
at is always agreeable to a mother to hear
her daughter praised she said "Hou have
not overrated Sophia, as l, who have watched
her from her cradle, can tell you
81 came to you this morning partly on
your account Prendergast continued. u
know the responsibilities and anxieties of a
mother left in sole charge of so attractive
girl l do not wish to add to them, and the
least intimation of disapproval of my suit on
your part will be sufficient to make me
abandon it at once, and finally
Possibly this grave gentleman, having eyes
in his head may have known that the little
mother was dying to call him son-in-law;
and this noble speech may have had trace
of humbug in it. But Mrs Barbara rever-
enced this sort Of humbug. 1t was more
spicy than reality. She would not have
liked Prendergast for really meaning all this
civil consideration; but for pretending to
mean it, and for uttering the pretense with
an air so perfectly pharisaic, she could have
kissed him there and then. SO, Pharisee
feminine against Pharisee masculine, she
looked at him with a small and pensive sigh.
How few men show such consideration"
II came also said he, ION my own ac-
count If Miss Temple is engaged, or if she
is not likely to look with favor upon me, l
had rather know it. At least you might per
haps give me your--ddrice"
Mrs Temple liked him better than ever.
sly fellow she said to herself. If be
dances as neatly as he plays demure he mus
make a good figure at "A ball"
Aloud She remarked
"In these matters | always like to speal
with the greatest possible franknesS. We art
not driving a bargain across IA counter
" UT offer IS to me, far as | know YOU a
} present" the defens less woman inserted thi
attorney clause with the sweetest smile
"mo>t gratifying | believe you would try
to make Sophia happy, and would succeed.
1t was Prendergast's turn to incline hi
l head now, and he did it,
LAS to SOPHIA continued the mother
e joining the tips of her fingers in n ponderin:
sort of way, that is a much more intrcat
matter
4 'She is not engaged, is She" the suite
cried hastily.
she is not. She is perfectly mfettered
But there has been a sort of attachment; he
: affections have been
II understand" Prendergast said with
grave face You wish to break it gently t.
4 me. | can assure YOU should never try il
the remotest way to take from another MAJ
l affections | should treasure if they wer
) my own
He was speaking his real mind now, an,
Mrs Temple looked at him, lowering hctweaI
admiration and amusement. She had live
in a world of honor, but not quite honor "a
this sort however, she always made her boy
to virtue when it was well dressed and *
pressed itself genteclly.
"A most high-minded feeling she said
"Just as | should feel myself But in tn
present case such scruples would he out o
place This i only a boy and a girl affair
there is no money. no prospect, no hope.
have said myself kindly, but tirmly-that
marriage, or even an engagement, Is out O
the question
And you do not think Miss Temples hear
irrevocahy given away"
1t was a lesson in posture and grimace I
see the little worldling's pantomimic answer
She disioinei the finger tips and her whit
hands with upward palm, her gently raiSe'
eyebrows, her shoulders quivering with
scarcely perceptble shrug, her quick sig
nificant smile, were each members of an I'M
broken sentence. The meaning was, 9Th
y female heart-our hearts, seldom given il
II revocably. Try for yourself" 1t was per
IL fectly Partisan.
I'm that case Prendergast said, reading
II her like print and with rising spirits, Il an
full of hope"
s. you may be- she answered. but sti
% my daughter is not an ordinary girl Their
must be great care. Every step must b
II taken with thought, and with an end in view
y In u word, Mr. Prendergast, | think yo
l. had better be guided 10y me from first to last.
l. IL shall most thankfully he said, am
Is then he composed himself to listen to his moni
% treSs.
" CHAPTER H.