The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-06-23

She gave one hasty glance in the mirror &c
see that she was fit to beN seen, girls say.
Let female seers prognosticate what they viii
from it, she did not care to meet Percival-
even that tickle and false Percival-looking
her worst Then the door opened, and he
ushered in.
The two stood looking at each other in
silence for 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
ieadiness for his embrace Perhaps Percival
,nly 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
even then have given the world for his enl-
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
passion of grief or isappointment-
sOh, can't, can't, can'tr she cried, in
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.
kneeling, took her in his arms without
word. She felt his embrace winding about
her, SO full of strength She was nothing in
his arms In her wretchedness she felt thank
= T..
doing She too frail to resist him. And
so he drew her gently up until their eyes met
again.
Let me tell you a secret, reader. Some
men and women-not nany-are born in this
world who are honest by nature. Earth
sprung honesty l should call theirs, to dis
tinguish it from that which IS the result OF
sound teaching and example. These people
are never 50 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, 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 50 impatient to expiate her fault
- - n. n.
gently held her back
aSophia, he said, do you remember the
day we said good-by at the Beechess'
She nodded herthead in answer. She could
not speak Her eyes were running over.
Il could not say good-by. was too broken
far too broken
She pressed his hand to tell him how wei
she remembered all
aBut,s he continued, In his quiet voice,
while held you to my heart vowed a VOW
thar when took my lips away from yours I
would never touch a woman's lips again until
ours met once more
/ He stopped
Il understand, Sophia said to herself, with
sudden fash Of new interest in his words.
@He is going to confess to me about Mrs
Ianigan. Idaresay he only fiirted with her
bit: and he must have been very lonely in
Australia; and no doubt she was very for
wafxl-1ike an actress
/ All this ran through hcr mind, not only
faster than it runs from my pen, but faster
| far. reader, than your eye travels along the
line Of words Without pause Percival
! went on:
@And have kept that vow, Sophia
wanted to tell you before kissed you You
can take your good-by kiss back again; for
the lips have been al your own since then. :"
oh wait-wzit one moanentr' she cried