The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1886-07-29
BEAUTY'S SECRET
BY ALAN MUIR.
Author of vanity Hardware" Golden
Girls" E.c.
CHAPTER II.

easy to beguile. Percival Brent had really
taken the girls fancy. He was more pre-
possessing, with his youth and his generous
ways than this grave, serious stranger, verg-
ing on middle life. And the mother had
found by experience that affection with
Sophia was not mere wi i'm or fancy, much
less self-interest or passion. Its roots struck
deep. For Mrs. Temples present purpose the
mere vulgar bribes of wealth and ease were
not enough; all kinds of motives must be en-
gagged, auxiliaries from innumerable quarters
must be united; the campaign must be care
fully planned, the advance made neither too
early nor too late, just at the moment of
fate; and then the kingdom of Sophias heart
would be won. But all this only kindled
Mrs. Barbara Temple into excitement Mar
rying Car and Sibyl had been child's play;
here was game for a mistress. She felt the
same exultation which a chess player feels
who, long used to engage with adversaries to
whom he can give a castle and win easily
sits at last facing an enemy who would win
If he got pawn or a move.
Everything must be done at the right
time" she said. Everything must be done
In the right way Whom can l trust for
thatl Whom2 Nobody except myself"
First of all she talked to Prendergast her
opinion with unconcealed reliance on her own
she told him that for the present he had bet
ter not make any advances to Sophia
"Rather the opposite" she said "Seem to
retreat Sophia has already noticed your
liking for her. Now, if you withdraw for
while, you will puzzle her. She will say,
Did he admire me after all, or not! Has he,
on coming to know me better, found me less
attractiveP You will excite her curiosity,
which, let me tell you, is great thing for
lover to do. Besides, although Sophia may
not care for you, having once secured your
admiration, she will not like to lose it. No
woman wishes that a man who once admired
her should cease to admire her She may
not care for him-she may even have an
aversion to him-but she likes him to care
for her And, | say, if Sophia finds that you
grow cooler, she will wonder, question with
herself, feel a little piqued; and then, if
you turn round again and confess her power
--well-well-she will be rather more dis
posed to give you some slight encouragement.
Am | letting you into too many of our
secrets, Mr.. Prendergast"
with your knowledge Of the heart" he
answered, II could have vanquished Cleo
patra."
IShe bowed, but scarcely took time to taste
the flavor of the compliment. Nosooner was
luncheon over than, making some excuse for
dropping Sophia at a friends house at one end
of the town, she drove out to see Sybil thefirst
ally whose cooperation she meant to secure.
Sibyl was alone in her drawing room, and
certainly all around were abundant signs of
the magnitude of the price she had fetched
In the matrimonial exchange She looked
very handsome, quite superb, Mrs, Temple
thought, as she rose to meet her mother. But
there was discomfort in her face
"Sibyl, dear" the mother said, "your taste
is nothing short of perfect. This drawing
room grows lovelier every day. Where did
you pick up that little pictures"
"ln Bond street" she answered. listlessly.
"You paid price for it, l can guess"
81 know nothing about prices" Sibyl an
swered haughtily.
"And never need" replied her mother,
quickly. Happy girl"
Sibyl made no answer
II have come dear" her mother now said
ITO ask your assistance in very delicate
matter, Prendergast wants to marry So
phia."
"Sophia will not marry at present." Sibyl
remarked
mot unless we are very judicious. But
with management she will. Prendergast is
man after her own heart, just the sort of
man she would have fallen in love with if
this ridiculous affair with Mr.. Brents son did
not stop the way. Now Sophia must not pass
this offer by. am determined she shall
not, Prendergast is very rich, and he is will
ing to settle down here"
"And what of that" Sibyl asked
"What of thatl Why, here you three
girls will be in the one neighborhood, and
that a pleasant one. Each will have hand
some establishment; and think how you will
be able to put yourselves at the head Of
everything You will soon be the leaders Of
the county; with your looks and your
cleverness and your taste you ought to be.
You can have your London houses, you and
Sophia Immediately, and Car when those old
people die. You can have your trips to the
continent, your entertainments at home-O,
Sibyl, why had I never such a chance when
was your age! How l should have enjoyed
the world"
"You did enjoy it, mamma"
"Now, Sibyl," the mother went on, not
noticing this remark, "there is one thing
which wish you to impress upon Sophia;
that is the comfort of riches. You can speak
from experience; tell her how fine a thing
wealth is. Impress it upon her You might
even say, foryou know Sophy's turn Of mind
that you find yourself able to do much good
to help the poor-charitable work.
churches-anything can be done with money.
That is my special charge to you, Sibyl; the
next time you and Sophy meet tell her some
thing of your experience Of riches, Now
where is Archibaldp
"He went into the library after lunch"
- -
read The Times"
Two minutes later Mrs Barbara Temple
was confronting her son-in-law Goldmore,
who, with his newspaper laid across his
knee, waited to hear what it was of which
her shrewd face was full.
"Sophia has had an offer-at least it has
been made to me--from Mr.. Prendergast."
Goldmore bowed his head in way which
ignified approval of Mr.. Prendergast Then
he said:
at would have been a good connection
n-n
off whatp
"If Sophia had not fallen IN love with
Brent"
"Now, my dear Archibald" cried Mrs.
Temple, slapping her hands together slightly
In her vexation, "surely you know better
than that. Sophia has not given her heart
away; it is a girlish whim, and we might
safely leave it to cure itself; only time
presses Sophia must marry Prendergast.
should die Of chagrin if saw another wo-
mans daughter get him now. In this matter
you can help ma. You have weight and dig
nifty and You speak in commanding way.
Now, want you TO press this marriage upon
Sophia, from the point Of obedience, duty
and prudence You can fell be- how t,,uch
my heart is fixed upon it; and you might say
something about the blessing attached 10
those who obey the ffth commandment