The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1886-09-02

favorite armchair, and tho sunshine Of {
bright October morning was shining in thu
room. But that pleasant light revealed clearly
the signs of time, which had for long enough
been more or less manifest in the old womant
flce. She either did not or could not any
longer dress herself With the same deceptive
skill as in days gons by, and now in every
feature of her face any eye could see that She
was an old woman-a very old woman, in
deed. She sat wrapped up carefully in 6
spendid Indian shawl. and a fire blazed OF
the hearth. and she rocked cold and some
what lifeless, si-hough her eyes were still
bright end her voice 7trong. Sophia, who
stayed always with 4-er, was reading The
Morning Post to her bi the old woman die
not listen with her Gccu stomed attention.
"Sophy, sha said at last, II had a visit from
Mrs. Done yesterday"
"Indeed, mamma" ScDhia replied She bit
her lip, and so hid smile, spirited and con-
temptuous, with dash of amusement in it.
"And what does Mrs. Done want, mammar
"She says her son is in love with you"
Delightful, mammal" Sophia replied, now
with open amusement on her face. So he
has thrown his handkerchief at last He may
pick it up again, mamma, and put it in his
pocketl"
"Now, Sophia, don't talk in that hasty, in.
considerate way" the old woman said. "In
all those cases we should consider, dear, there
is nothing like"
'Ieather, mammal" Sophia cried, merrily,
catching up her mothers old mocking phrase.
The bright October sunshine and some whim
of her own feelings had put her in good spirits
that morning
"Very pleasant, dear" the little mother re-
marked, shaking her head soberly Somehow
her whole style of speech was relaxing in
energy; her words were pitched low; she did
not speak with her former decision. Presently
she said
( "You must remember young Mr.. Doan was
never in trade; and beside, Sophia, he will
settle twenty thousand pounds on you'll"
! "Can't be had under forty mammal" Sophia
seemed resolved TO treat the matter in this
jocular way. Ii was plain that she realized
that she and her mother had changed posi-
tions she was virtually mistress now; there
might be argument, but no struggle of will
"Sha'n't cry cherry ripe under forty thou
sand pounds, mammam And Sophia tossed
her head and looked saucy and engaging, and
cheap at double the money
/ "Now listen to me- Sophia" her mother
said. "You will never have such another
offer-from n money point of view"
! "Well, mamma, | will be Serious Sophia
answered, suiting her face to her words. II
would not marry that man for anything he
could give me. To begin with, 1 know what
his life has been"
"Now, my dear Sophia" her mother said,
with deprecating gesture "l will not hear
anything about his manner Of life The men
are all in fault in that way"
zone | know is not" Sophia tenderly
thought, clasping her darling's memory to
her hearty
"AlI are in fault that way" continued Mrs.
Temple "Some let us know it, others man.
age to hide it, In fact, all are alike. And,
indeed, Sophia better marry man who, be-
fore marriage, has-has-seen the lCOr}d,
than one who will make you unhappy after.
The wilder the bachelor, the steadier the hus-
band, so | often have found it,"
"Now you don't mean it, mamma; you
know you don't"
IL do mean it, indeed, dear; and, besides,
whose fault is it if men are wild2 Ours, my
dear; ours alone. We are so fond Of con
quest and impression that we never leave
them alone We get them into the habit Of
mind, dear. Have 1 not watched womeni
More especially if a man is at all celebrated
we long to make an impression. All women
do. My dear Sophia, the greatest prude that
ever lived is pleased if she hears that cele-
brated man admires her Be he married or
single, she will not care; she had rather have
the tribute of admiration than not have it.
o. Sophia, we are quite as much to blame as
the men, We all like to have them at our
feet l liked it myself, dear"
"Mamman
"When they are celebrated, dear, remark
able, worth catching you know"
"What is Mr.. Done celebrated for!" Sophia
asked, scoInfully.
'Money, dear As good a thing as any
other. Some men are conspicuous for fortune, |
Others for looks, others for talent, others for !
family. But when e man is conspicuous fol |
anything, women like to have his admiration, |
and that is how half the men are spoiled, !
dear; we do it ourselves. Why, even if a |
man is conspicuous for virtue, most of us \
would like to bring him to the ground-tc |
have him sigh for us only once; and then we |
can toss our heads and be as good as we
please Our vanity is gratifed."
"Now, mamma" Sophia said, rather |
shocked at this speech and not knowing |
whether her mother was serious or not, but |
resolved to treat it as jocular, "this is only |
your merry way; do be serious"
al will, dear, if you will be serious, too"
~There-I am serious now"
Every well then. Try and make up your
mind to marry this young man. Twenty |
thousand pounds Sophian
Mamma, figures would not write the sum |
that l would marry him for. He is vulgar
selfish, odious fellow. Marry himl" Sophia
shivered as when some one walks over our
grave. "Call him husband"
She made a grimace which her mother
could not have surpassed, and which clinched |
the discussion.
"Very well, Sophy," the old woman said
sinking back in her armchair rather wearily,
"you must have your own way. Only re
member, dear, when l am gone, you had the
chance Of wealth and ease before l left your
The word alarmed Sophia afresh. She was
certain now of what her future would be-
but she put on bright face
'Never mind, mamma, you are not going
to leave me yet; and when you do, if all else
fails, l can sew gloves at twopence q pair;
but will not marry man the very thought |
of whom makes my flesh creep. Oh, mamma,
mamma" Sophia cried, relapsing into gayety
now that her point was won, 'for making you
dislike an offer, there's nothing like leather"
CHAPTER TX
IN WHICH soPHIA's EYES FILL WITH TEARS.
For some reason, which cannot divine,
Sophia treated the proposal of the leather
merchants son as an affront. The matter
oozed out-in Kettlewel everything did ooze
out sooner or later; and to one or two init
matA friends who smoke to her ON the s1lhiact