The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-05-29
'BEAUTY'SSECRET
By ALAN MUIR
Author Of Vanity Hardware" Golden
Girls" Etc.
(coNrINuED)
book THREE.
LADY BEAUTY'S LOVERS
By ALAN MUIR
(coNTINuED)
book THREE.
LADY BEAUTY'S LOVERS
CHAPTER l.

THE LOVER SAYS "wILL your AND THE
LADY SAYS "YEs"
One evening in February Rector Brent ap-
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 Sibyl were
in the library and Car out for walk. Tho
little man, with praiseworthy readiness-per-
haps he had got hint beforehand
that he would 60 to the library, as be wanted
TO speak with Mrs. Temple; and at the word
he hurried from the room, and left our pair
| alone. Sophia, CHANGING at Percival, noticed
that he carried small parcel In his hand;
and he, finding himself alone with her, re-
solved to finish his broken story. He lost no
time now, having learned lesson on that
subject already.
Il was interrupted the other day when !
was telling you about Australia he re-
marked, drawing a chair close beside her.
"Shall finish what was sayingf'
so"
That girl am in love with so passion
ately, who got my heart out there all this
| came out with such tumultuous haste tina:
she might have known what would follow
shall | show you her portraitF'
ii should like TO see it,"
Il thought you would. brought it wit
me" he said, opening his packet with tren.
bling fingers. Only let me tell You this pic
| ture gives you very faint idea of her in
deed 1t is beautiful, but her actual face i.
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
love it.'
"She must be happy" Sophia said, with q
delicate sadness that whispered all be wanted
10 know, but the excited young fellow did no,
mark it. "She must be very happy. Let nie
look at the picture"
| Almost with u sob she said it,
Il shall show it in a moment" he replied
holding II ready to turn up to the lamplight
only let Inc finish my story first 1t wa.
this picture fell in love with. l resolved
when saw the face that is here to live and
die for it, Its heavenly fairness subdued mt
IN moment and for ever. and all my fear
was lest the true face should not be as lovely.
bad to wait long time before I saw the
original -many months All that time was
true to my picture and gazed at it morning,
noon and right, 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
trernbled lest she should be promised to
another, or lest she should not love mer'
WAS she promised TO another
@No"
There followed a tiny sigh
"And did she-did she-Oh but she must ~
Sophia said, turning her sad full eyes on his
manly fare. Il can finish the story; she said
she would love you"
THE story is not finished vet, he cried, i'm
petuously. But you arr right in one thing
YOU can finish it. Look, this Is the picture OF
the girl love-
She bent to look. and as she did so a teal
she could not keep back dropped on the card
board The next instant she uttered a cry
and started to her feet She had seen herself.
A moment she looked at him, and such was
the struggle of surprise, delight, modesty and
fear in her face that he was now As far from
her secret as a moment before she had beer
from his. He thought she was angry.
Miss Temple-Sophia," he said, don't BIZ
angry. II | have offended you, did mol
mean it Surely you won't be angryr
Still she made no answer, but only looked
at him, for speech and action had forsaker
her together; and he foolish fellow, grew
certain that she was displeased
Il loved 1t So" he said, pleading. u 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
II know am presumptious | feel sure al
ready that you will tell me | am not the mar
you can love. ! wish had waited little he
fore speaking; the dream was so much bet
ter than this awakening: but l could keel
myself silent no longer. Perhaps it is as wei
to know 1t at once It will save--n
But as he spoke her cheek came close t.
his own, and her little hand fell on hi!
shoulder. Too womanly for coquetry Oh
coyness she gave her answer at once, anG
with such readiness that neither Percival MOI
Sophia were able to settle that night which
kissed the other first