The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-06-05

the mother and daughter at dinner Mrs.
Barbara Temple, hearing of him before, had
already wished inly that he might pe struck
with Sophia. She marked him as hs walked
into the room and at sight of him her wishes
redoubled. During dinner she watched him
narrowly. For a time he did not seem to
have even noticed Sophia, but at Inst he
looked at her. The little mother saw his gaze
arrested in pleasnrable surprise, and for the
rest of the evening he managed to look at the
young girl as often as possible.
The next day the stranger, whose name
was Prendergast. made some excuse fer call.
ing upon them, and you may be sure he
was gracionsly received. His conversation
pleased Sophia, that was plain; and Mrs.
Temple, watching him, saw in his manner
that which delighted her beyond expression
Next day fresh invitation came from the
friend at whose house they had first mot-just
a hasty party, the note said.
"Aha," little Mrs. Temple said to herself,
"a hasty party Got up at the instigation of
Prendergast, dare swear. Sherwood and
he are such friends If Prendergast does not
take Sophia down to dinner, l am much mis-
takenn
iit 'tii- ne ltpNtu n StIiall tbtH-
panion, With plenty Of talk of the quieter
sort. He could interest eulhvated women
| icing artistic and literary, without icing a
pedant or bore-that at least ras his
| friends opinion of him.
Don't you think Mr. Prendergast very
entertaining" the mother asked as they
drove home
Very Sophia replied, emphaticaily.
| The little woman nearly skipped off her seat
| for triumph.
During these early days Mrs Temple could
never quite make out whether or not Sophia
| perceived that this promising Mr. Prendergast
was in love with her In love he clearly was,
| but his manner was so unobtrlsive. and his
general conversation SO lively, that even
| Sophia might not have detected what WAS
| plain to the watching eyes of her mother II
was nice point for Mrs Temple to settle
Sophia evidently enjoyed their new friends
| society, and as she was no eoquette-not as
| much as she ought to be- her mother used to
| say-she must either have forgotten one lover
| or not recognized the other Which was the
\ fact Mrs. Temple longed to know Some
| times she thought Sophia was in reality pre-
occupied, and only assumed vivacity to
| cover her want of interest At other times.
and more frequently, Mrs. Temple felt con-
WINGED that she was truly pleased with Prem
delgast, and would, after decent interval,
| confess her satisfaction
At last an evening came when Prendergast,
calling i'll upon the Temples, found the
mother and daughter at home, and, after
title conversation, music happened to he
mentioned, at which Mrs Barbara made the
|
sung a particular song the night before
Prendergast asked if he might hear it, and
Sophia, consenting, with listless air sat
| down to the piano and sang. Prendergast
praised the song asked for another and an
other, and Sophia complied in the same list
less way She sang we'll but her eyes had
kind of far-of look, very suggestive OF
Australia. The little mother, however,
could not see Sophia's face; Prendcrgast's she
saw, and it told her great deal At last
Sophia began, loft in the Silly Night and
now mo doubt because the theme touched
herr she sang with great expression and ten
dcrneSS, and her admirer stood over her,
radiant with love and admiration.
20, that | could see herr murmured Mrs,
Barbara. She scanned Sophia eagerly when
the song was finished, but her expression said
neither eyes nor mo" Shortly after,
Prendergast bid them good night, and re
strained, as his manner usually was, henow,
either through accident or with design, let
Sophia know the state of his heart. Mrs.
| Barbara Temple saw flush come out on her
| daughters pale face as she withdrew her
hand from his.
| Nov we shall see," thought the little
woman. Very prettily lie managed it, too
! observed nothing
| She resolved not to ask Sophia any ques-
ton until next morning; but after she had
'retired little while, curiosity got the better
of her, and in her dainty dressing gown she
crossed over to her daughters room, and
tapping gently at the door stepped in
| She saw-not what she expected Sophia
was not at her glass, nor chatting to her
maid, nor gone to sleep. The poor girl was
| at her prayers, and had not heard her mother
| enter The little woman stood a moment
| irreSoute, then vanished from the room with
| a kind of hop; she scarcely liked the prospect
of confronting the serious face which she
| knew would rise to greet her from between
| those uplifted hands
Il shall go to bed, she said, when she re
| gained her own room, land | shall talk to
| Sophia in the morning."
| She sat down, however, and fell into
| muse AMI look of unwOnted gravity ruled
| her face and features for time Probably
| she was recalling past scenes; for two or three
| times she shook her head with a kind of re-
| Elective sadness until she was rousen by the
| second chime which had sounded since she
| last sat down
Il wonder if Sophy is up now" she nur-
INJURED. She can't be al that SO long"
And changing her mind she again stepped
| over, and, finding the door agar as she left it,
she entered the room once more The lamp
was still burning, but Sophia was in bed, and,
| her silence indicated, sleeping The mother
| walked softly across and locked at her
| daughter
| She was fast asleep. The night was warm.
| and she had thrown back the quit little
| and her arm. her brown hair, and a glimpse
of her white and innocent breast, together
| with m rrpoSe of hgr expression, male up a
| picture which manvan artist would have given
| Il years income to paint She looked the
very image OF purity and peace. and even
| little Mrs. Barbara, who was shot-pronf
| against most forms OF emotion, felt moisture
| stealing into her eyes as she ggzed. She bent
u little down. and then she saw that the face
| now 50 calm, had been traversed by recent
! tears Yes Sophia had been crying since
| she lay down, and she had fallen asleep with
| wctted checks
| Something in her hand cnuCht the mothers
eye, and she looked closer still Her hand was
| beside her face, and the little article she held
was placed 81 that her sleeping lip ils
| tolichea it. With great canton and still, rs,
| Mrs Barbara Temple lowered her eyes and.
81 ,iping and stretching, she managed 10 sec
| Uhat her daughter was holding. II l.,ts IA
riinjj,inre OF Pcrciva Brent