Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-06-17
BEAUTY'SSECRET
By ALAN MUIR
ALthor Of "Vanity Hardware, Golden
GtrlsH Etc
CHAPTER VIII

accident, or by the caprice Of fate, she was
beautifully dressed, and looked very charm
ing in her sadness. The beautiful attire was
not, indeed, very surprising, for Sophia gave
snch particular attention TO dress, and was,
besides, such ''colorist,n that don't sup
pose she had an unbecoming gown in her
whole wardrobe Tonight she wore a dress
Of pearl gray with tucker OF white lace
round the open front, and garnet brooch,
which suppose she had pinned in by chance;
but it was in the best taste Indeed, If the
poor heart-sick girl had spent two hours at
her glass and dressed herself for rivalry OF
conquest, she could not have looked more
lovely. Just as an accomplished writer when
be Is thinking least of form will throw Off his
most finished piece, so Sophia, who was a true
mistress of the art of dress, did this evening,
when her thoughts were far enough from the
toilet, deck herself out in a way which most
Of all displayed her charms. Mrs. Barbara
Temple marked her as she sat
SWhen Prendergast comes" that keen
witted woman said to herself (having ar
ranged that he was to appear accidentally
after dinner, when Prendergast comes, and
sees you, if the sight does not unlock his lips,
he Is not the man take him forp
Perceiving Sophias melancholy air, the lit
tie mother assumed the same herself. She
was taciturn, thoughtful, sighed, and in
everything reflected her daughters sadness.
This was supreme high art; it was saying to
Sophia, "if you are heavy at heart, so am L;
/, too, am facing a great anxiety" And SO
e6ectually did she play her part that, to-
ward the end of dinner, Sophia, rousing her
elf by an effort, tried to talk cheerfully.
Mrs Barbara felt thrill Of reasonable pride
in this recognition Of her power as q success.
full dissembler. Instead of feeling low spir-
tied she was, in truth, highly excited In view
Of her approaching triumph. She felt thai
Sophia was in her hands The pensive look
&enid voice, and downoast eyes, all told ons
#AT to herr the girl had no resistance left.
She would accept Prendergast that night
No sooner had they got into the drawing
rom than Mrs. Barbara asked Sophia to sing
10 her.
%Yes, mamma" Sophia said, looking at
her wistfully. "Iwill sing or play or do any
thing you like"
This compliant speech meant, and well the
mother knew it: "If you would only use me
fdr your own pleasure, how happy we both
might bep Mrs. Barbara Temple under
stood, but did not regard; she was bent on
marriage ... .,...,
Sophia sat down and began her fayorite:
'Qft in the Silly Night; "fand finely she sang
II. the melancholy ditty serving as vehicle
for her own sorrows Her voice was power
full contralto, and, without at all exerting
herself unduly, she was able so to occupy het
hot ~ ont hai
room unobserved, and was standing beside
Mrs Barbara before she knew it. The ittle
mother gave him a sprightly nod Of silent
recognition not to disturb the song, and then,
slowly turning her eyes from him to Sophia,
and fixing them on her, she seemed to say:
us she not woman worth winningp
And Prendergast met her returning look
with look of his own, full of tender admi-
ration, which conveyed his thought in reply;
and just then Sophia, ending her song, san
that Prendergast was behind her. Surprise
and some other emotion, sent over her fact
the loveliest blush surely that ever woman
wore, and 1t seemed to spread until her neck
was touched with its conscious hue. Prem
dergast read 1t as an omen that at last she
had begun to feel kindly toward him, and he
could scarcely speak to her for the pleasure
be felt And Mrs Barbara Temple, who
never in her life made mistake, was ready
to clap her hands
"She loves him! she loves himf" the little
conqueror murmured to herself. "Ses what
management doesl o, what woman am"
Almost before another word was spoken,
Mrs. Temples maid came into the room, and,
advancing to her mistress, Said
"Pease, ma'am, is the letter ready"
9What letter, JonesT
@The letter, nla'am, you said was SO very
particular, which must 60 by to-night's post,
and which we was to bO sure not to forget to
ask for"
This was delivered In recitation style, like
something got carefully off by heart
@Dear me" exclaimed Mrs. Temple, with
uplifted hands. "How could l have forgotten
i'll Sophia, my dear, you must entertain Mr..
Prendergast for twenty minutes or half an
hour It is an important letter, and will
take quite that time to write How very
stupid have beenp
And without single glance at Prender-
gast the very stupid woman left the room,
but not until she saw Sophias blush return
with deeper glow .
aAh," she thought, "now for q pretty
scenel o the merry days when we were
yQingi"
When our little mother returned to the
drawing room she saw Prendergast stan ding
alone in the center Of the floor. His look
told her nothing; but as she came toward
hing, he said very earnestly:
GMrs Temple, your daughter Is an angell'
VictoryI The little mother could have
skipped ON the carpet for triumph; but recol-
lecting that it would not be business-like to
seem too much delighted, she restrained her
self and said: ,.,
u see. She has accepted you"
@No, she has not"
aYes, yes; but that Is only girls way;
virtually she has accepted you, and you know
itp
"Mrs. Temple, she win never marry me-"
"What do you meanP The shock was great
and Mrs. Temple found it hard to speak.
Simply that your daughter has explained
to me her position and the state of her affec-
tions She has been SO kind, so frank, so like
all ] thought she must be, that am more in
love with her than ever. But know the
truth, and will no longer struggle against IT."
He dropped his head ON bis breast and said
and for nearly minute the nimble
little tongue and versatile little brain of his
hostess were at fault But she collected her
spirits. ayf
@Prendergast," she said in tone that was
dry and even contemptuous, "that Is not the
way to win woman like Sophia"
3Perhaps not, be answered; "but It is the
only way can follow" Even she was for
the moment dumb, and he, became silent
again, but he reused himself ahd spoke afresh:
'The fact lis, have besn rebuked tonight.
Ten years ago ! loved woman something
like your daughter, and she died before our
Over her grave Iyowed to live
for her memory, and that vow kept until
bhis year; and tonight, as Sophia was speak
Ing to me, it seemed as il my own buried dear
nnA came from her abnia of han,,ino,s and