The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-06-09

81 have known him more or less intimately
for years, the elephantine magnate contin-
ued. He talked as if he was debating testi-
monial "A more upright, honorable man does
not breathe. He is charitable and humane to
a fault Believe me, Sophia / would not
open my lips to you on the subject if did
not in my soul believe that Prendergast will
make you truly happy woman, and that he
is worthy of you / can say nothing more in
his praise.
Sophia began to cry, not knowing where to
turn, and Goldmore, taking upon himself al
most unconsciously the paternal relation,
gently patted her on the shoulder. Indeed, it
seemed as if affairs had only to be pushed
little further for him to bestow upon her
paternal kiss.
Marry Prendergast, Sophia" Goldmore
continued, repeating unawares his wife's con-
else counsel you are of course free from
all engagement to Young Percival Brent
Remember, | have not word to say OF that
young fellow but praise. Under the aus
picious circumstances OF your original en-
gagement / considered it happy event.
And even when he left England, l thought
perhaps things might turn out well for you
both. Since then l haven-here he reflected
on the interview with Mrs. Temple and her
charges to him-4since then / have thought
be-prudent.s
"PrudentI, .prudent.i 1t was the word
that had been rung in the poor girls ears
until she was ready to scream at the sound OF
it.
aAnd besides, Sophia Goldmore con-
tinued 'syour mother wishes it. | am far
from saying that any girl is bound to con-
slider even her parents in matter SO nearly
concerning her personal happiness, but,
Sophia, when the man is so very desirable,
and when a parents will is so very strongly
expressed, / think dutifui character like
yours will--will weigh the matter, Sophia r
Sophia was really broken down now and
Sobbing piteously: and Goldmore, who would
not have wounded her without cause ON any
consideration, judged that these tears We're
she'd over the final wrench from Percival
Brent
@you are naturally agitated, dear girl, he
went on, in his three-syllable style of speech.
You are a sympathetic nature, and you
regret your late engagement You are one
of those women who are always delicate in
your dealings with our sex-more delicate
r,erhaps than most of us deserve But. now
that the thing is done, every hour your sor-
row will diminish and your future win grow
brighter Don't cry any more, Sophia: you
are acting prudently, and you have obeyed
your parent
m CAROLINE AND soPHIA-LovE vs. LOVE
Mind. Sophy,- Car said. IF Prendergast
was an elderly man. like Goldnore, would
not have had you marry him, not if he could
have heeled your boots with diamonds Don't
YOU see how duh Sibyl isl 1t is nothing IN
the world hut that she is tired of that old fel-
| low. Now YOU NAV not think Egerton very
clever or witty but assure you he is q capi-
| tai husband, and have grown fonder of him
than could have believed would not see
| Won 30 mopei as Sibyl, not if mamma were
TO 90 on her knees to US But really, Sophia,
! Prenssergast is more than passable; he Is very
agreeable
swell, but Icing agreeable does not MAKE
you love man. Sophia ventured TO say
aNo. CIR answered readily; Abuf when 8
| mans character is such as you approve, and
| when his position and prospects are good and
/ when he Is agreeable in addition. You arr
| safer in marrying him-safer, do you hear,
Sophv than You would be IN marrying at
| ter the most romantic of eourtshipsr
Sophia was silent before Cars reasonable
assertion
-Besides. Sophy--now she came to hel
special appeal mamma Is quite in terrol
lest You should refuse Prendergast She ha
taken such q fancy to him With his seriou
ways one would hardly have expected that
hut 50 it IS Rrendergast win be maxim;
mamma saint one Of these days if he enter
the family he has such an influence over her
1t was not altogether fair to Car to holt
out such q motive 70 her sister. She wel
| knew how Sophia bewailed her mothers II
fafuated wori1Iiness; aud how, IN her gentle
dauehferlfke way, she was always trying :
Il make her mother less pf . pagan and
mocker. This one SENTENCE q Cars tot
,,<s-p wfkh aorhin than Al that had beu