Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-07-08

She gave one hasty glance in the mirror to
see that she was fit to be seen, as girls say.
Let female seers prognosticate what they will
from it, she did not care to meet Percival-
even that tickle and false Percival-looking
her worst Then the door opened, and he
was ushered in.
The two stood looking at each other in
silence for a moment. He saw her pale, worn,
and clad in black She saw him bearded,
weatherburnt, stronger looking, handsomer
than ever. She was ready in her heart-sick-
ness to cast herself in his arms and take her
chance. But just then she saw the mark of
cut upon his forehead, and she remembered
the accident with Mrs Lanigan.
Why he had waited that moment cannot
tell. A man never should pause when the
woman he loves shows the smallest sign of
readiness for his embrace. Perhaps Percival
only wished to give the maid time to go
down stairs. 1t is certain that next moment
he sprang forward, with his arms stretched
out, to take Sophia to his breast; but that
little space of waiting gave jealousy time to
erect barrier before her heart She would
wen then have given the world for his en-
brace, if but it had been honest; but per-
picked, tortured, and at last fairly mad with
jealousy, she turned deadly white, and, sob
bing, she cast herself on the couch, where,
grasping the satin cushion in her hands in a
passion of grief Or disappointment
"Oh, can't, can't, 1 can't!" she cried, in a
heartbroken voice. .. ....
The room was half in darkness, and Per-
cival by no means understood the true cause
of her agitation. He came to her side, and,
kneeliRg, took her in his arms without a
word. She felt his embrace winding about
her, so full of strength! She was nothing in
his arms! In her wretchelneSs she felt thank
ful that he had taken her so. 1t was not her
doing! She was too frail to resist him. And
so he drew'her gently up until their eyes met
again. ...N
Let me tell you a secret, reader. Some
men and women-not many--are born in this
world vino are honest by nature Earth
sprung honesty l should call theirs, to dis
tinguish 1t from that which is the result of
sound teaching and example. These people
are never SO awkward as when they are
doing anything mean or underhand; and for
the rest Of their lives their honesty is pro-
claimed in their aspect. Such was Percival
Brent He was a simple, straightforward
man, true by instinct, and the idea Of having
been seriously false to Sophia--or that he
could have been suspected of such an Of
fense-had never crossed his mind. And
now, as he looked down into her troubled
eyes, his own, which were dark brown, and
very speaking in their way, beamed out
steadfast rays Of love and truth. There was
little surprise, a little sadness in the ex-
preston; but the clear, strong gaze could
never have come from any but true man.
Sophia felt it. Before he opened his lips she
knew she had misjudged him. Already she
was beginning to hate herself for her doubts.
A moment longer he gazed at her, not, as it
would seem, wishing to hurry her kiss; and
she grew 80 impatient to expiate her fault
that she was going to kiss him first He
gently held her back. 2la efpsG 9
Sophia" he said, do you remember thu
day we said good-by ct the Beechesr ag
: She nodded her head In answer. She could
not speak Her eyes were running ever.
II could not say good-by. I was too broken
--far too troksns s,4. ay
She pressed his hand 70 tell him how well
The remembered ell. t ..rsa II.
GBut,S be continued, In bis quiet voice,
@while held you to my heart vowed q vow
that when took my lips'hway from yours
woud Hsvar touch womanS lips again until
ours uAeb once moren -
HA &rEHsea f...- ..r, -.E. ......