Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-06-06
PERCIVAL BRENT.

to see that she was fit to be SEEN as girls
say. Lei female seers prognosticste what
they will from it. she did not care to meet
Perciysl-lookipg her worst. Then the
door opened, and be was ushered in.
The two stood looking st each other in
8 Ience for moment. He saw her pale,
worn aud clad in black. She saw him
bearded, weaherburnt, stronger looking, |
handsomer than ever. She was ready 10
her heart.sickness to cast herself into his
arms and take her chance. Bat Just then
she saw the mark of cut upon his fore
head and che remembered the accident
with Mrs Lauigan.
Why he waited that moment l cannot
tell. A man never should pause when the
woman he loves shows the smallest sign OF
readiness for his embrace. Perhaps Perez
val only wished to give the maid time to
90 down stairs. Ii is certain that next
moment he sprsng forward. with his arms
stretched out, to take Sophia to his breast;
but that little space OF time gave jealousy
lime to erect barrier before her heart.
She would even then have given the word
for his embrace, if but it had been honest;
but perplexsd, tortured; aud at las. fairly
mad with jealousy, she turHed desdly white
aud, sobbing. she cast herself on the couch,
where, graspug the satin cushion IN her
hands 10 passion Of grief or disaPo'nt'
ment--
oh, 7 can't, l can't, I can't she cried,
in hesrtbrSken voice.
The room was halfiu darkness, and Per
cival by no means understand the true
cause Of her agitation. he came to her
side and, kaeeliug, took her in his arms
without a word. She felt his embrace
winding about her, so full OF strength! Sac
was nothing in his armsl In her wretch
eduess she felt thankful that he hal taken
her so. 1t was not her doing! Shs Wa
too frsil to resist him And 80 he drew
her gently up Until their eyes met again.
Let me tell you secret, reader. Some
men and women not msny-sre born IN
this world who are honest by nature Earth
sprung honesty should call theirs to diH
tinsu,sh it from that which is thu result Of
sound teaching and example These PEG
ple are never solawkward as when they are
doing ANYTHING mean or underhand; and
for the rest Of their lives their honesty l:
proclaimed in their aspect Such was
Percival Brent He was a simple, stra'sh
forward man. true By instinct, and the idea
OF having been seriously false to Sophia
OF that he could have been suspected o
such offense never crossed hts mind. And
nov, az he looked into her troubled eyes
his own, which were dark brown, and very
speaking in their way bsamed out stead
fast raw OF love and truth. There was q
little surprise a little sadness 10 the expires
sion; put the clear, strong gaze could new
er have come from any but true man
Sophia felt it. Before he had opened hi
lbs she knew she had misjudgsd him. Al
ready she was beginning to hate herself fo
her doubts. A moment longer he gazec
A. her, MOI, as it would seem, wishing Il
hurry her kiss; and she grew so impatien
70 expiste her fault that she was going tc
kiss MIN first. He gently held her back
Sophia" he said, "doyou remember thu
day we said good by at the BeechesY
She nodded her head in answer. She
could not speak, Her eyes were running
over.
Il could not say good by. | was toe
bro6ed far TOO broken,
She pressed his hand to tell him hoW
we'll she remembered all.
Bat" be continued in his quiet voice
while held you 10 my heart | vowed a
vow that whsu took my lips away from
yours | would never touch womans lips
again until ours met once more
He stopped, :.
If understand" Sophia said to herself
with sudden flash OF interest in his words
He is going to confess to me about Mrs
LanigsnI | dsresay he only hirted with
her bit; aud he must have been vary
lonely in Australia; and no doubt she was
very forward-like an ac:ress!
All this ran through her mind, not only
faster than it runs from my pen, but faster
far, reader, than your eye travels along laS
liue Of words. Without a pause Percival
went 90:
And have kept that vow, Sophia. l
wanted to tell you before | kissei you.
You can take your good.by kiss back
sgain; for the lips have been all your own
since then"
"Oh, wsit-wait ore moment" she cried
She wished to collect herself for the com
ing JOY. Besides ought she to kiss him
With her eyes wet with tears? So she made
ready. Then she turned her warm aud
melting lips upward. and, as she drank his
long kiss, abe sighed a sigh of rapture to
deep for words, almost too deep for thought,
Il am his, aud he is mine" Oh, how thst
pure embrace rewarded her, in one great
spell of bliss, for sil her waiting and pain
Sac forgot everything but her deep happi-
ness She was In trance of joy, and all
besides Joy faded out of her consciousness.
There was neither past nor present, neither
hope nor fear, neither wish nor regret-sll
was merged in the full and blessed NOW!
l declare will not have my lovers peep.
ed at for the next few minutes. And shall
tell you nothing at all, but let your fSucy
paint what passed on the sofa.