The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-05-26
CHAPTER [

CHAPTER /
THE LOVER SAYS swILL your AND THE
LADY SAYS @YEs"
Que evening in February Rector Brent an
peared about five o'clock, Just as the lamps
were lighted in the drawing room. Luck had
it this time that Sophia should be sitting
alone, and as she rose to welcome her visitors
she remarked that her mother and Sibvl were
ili the library and Car out for a walk The
Little man, with praiseworthy readinass-per-
haps he had got hint beforehand-renla
that he would 60 TO the library. as he wanted
TO speak with Mrs. Temple; and at the word
he hurried from the room, and left our pair
alone Sophia, glancing at Percival, noticed
that he carried small parcel in his hand;
and he, finding himself alone with her, re-
solvel TO finish his broken story. He lost no
time now, having learned lesson on that
subject already.
II was interrupted the other day when i
was tel ing you about All stralia,n he re-
marked, drawing a chair close beside her
"Shall finish what l was ssvingg'
"Do.7
THAT girl am in I've 18th so passion
ately, who got my heart out there" all this
came out with such tumultucus haste that
she mighG have known what would follow
shall ] show you her portraitp
II should like TO see it !"
II thought ycu would. brought it with
me" he said, opening his packet with trom-
bling fingers "Only let me tell you this p c.
ture gives you very faint idea of her in
deed. 1t is beautiful, but her az tual face is
past all likeness and all praise, soft as star
light, pure as snow, tender as the spring
sunshine, full of life and truth Oh, how l
love It'll"
"She must be happy" SOPHIA said, with a
delicate sadness that whispered all he wanted
to know, but the excited young fellow did not
mark it. "She must be very happy. Let me
look at the picture"
Almost with sob she said it
q shall show it in moment he replied.
holding it ready to turn up to the lamplight;
"only let me finish my story first. 1t was
this picture / fell in love with / resolved
wher saw the face that is here to live and
die for it. Its heavenly fairness subdued me
in a moment and for ever, and all my fear
was lest the true face should not be as lovely.
had to wait long time before l saw the
original-many months. All that time was
true to my picture, and gazed at it morn:ny ,,
noon and night, till every feature was printed
on my heart. Then the day came when
saw-her AT the sight all memory OF the
picture vanished quite away. Oh, how
trembled lest she should be promised to
another, or lest she should not love mep'
''Was she promised to anotherf
"No."
There followed tiny Sigh.
"And did she-did she-Oh, but she musti"
Sophia said, turning her sad full eyes on his
manly face. Il can finish the story; she said
she would love you"
"The story is not finished yet, he cried, i'm
petuously. "But you are right in one thing ::
you can finish it. Look, this is the picture of
the girl love"
She bent to look, ami as she did so tear
she could not keep back dropped on the card
board. The next instant she uttered cry
and started TO her feet She had seen herself.
A moment she looked at him, and such was
the struggle of surprise, delight uodesty and
fear in her face that he was now as far from
her secret as a moment Eefore she had been
from his He thought she was angry.
Miss Temple-Sophia," he said, don't be
angry. If | have offended you, did not
mean it. Surely you won't be angryE7
Still she made no answer. but only looked
at him, for speech and action had forsaken
her together; and he, foolish fellow, grew
certain that she was displeased.
~ loved it So" he said. pleading. II could
not help it; and wanted TO tell you myself
before spoke to others about it. | wanted
you to hear the story first from my own lips. {"
He hung his head ashamed to look at her.
Il know am presumptious j feel sure al
ready that you will tell me | am not the man
you can love. wish ! had waited little E.
fore speaking; the dream was so much bet
ter than this awakening; but / could keep
myself silent no longer. Perhaps it is as well
to know it at once. 1t viii save"
But as he spoke, her chesk came close to
his own, and her little hand fel on his
shoulder. Too wonanly for coquetry or
coyness, she gave her answer at once, and
with such readiness that neither Percival nor
Sophia were able 10 settle that night which
kissed the other first.