Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-11-15

papa millions down IN Wall street.
And Sophy being, unhappily, wedged in
between Mrs Cochran and a priggish
chap named Clay, became more resigned
to her situation when Owen Nugent
climbed up by the driver, directly behind
her.
Hesketh was a good deal piqued with
Sophy for her innocent gayety on the way
up. Every time her blithe, girlish laugh
echoed down the path, he chose to feel
personally aggrieved because she could
be merry when any one but himself was
beside her; and therefore, when she
fingered little, and looked rather visit
fully up at him as they started forth from
the hotel, he pretended not to see the
glance, but went on flirting with Aunot
Osborne.
Aunot admired the handsome artist,
and was privately exulting at drawing
him away from Sophy-4so the pair pur-
sued their ramble very contentedly. And,
somehow, Sophy dropped behind, and
Mr.. Clay was more of prig than ever,
she thought, when she saw Florence's
blue feather disappear in the distance,
with Nugent in attendance.
The party got separated, of course, and
Sophy artfully contrived to send Mr.. Clay
back with messageto Aunt Cynthia, and
then she strayed on alone, and very mar
rowly escaped coming to serious grief.
She was going along the edge of lovely
little ravine, pausing now and then to
admire its beauty, when suddenly some
body said, just behind her:
GA penny for your thoughts, Miss
Sophy."
The voice startled her, she stepped on
a round pebble, which turned treacher-
ously under her foot; she felt herself
falling gasping cry-and then
oblivion!
A warm hand clasped hers as she trem-
bled back into consciousness.
''My dear child" Owen Nugent's
voice was a trifie unsteady. care you
hurt by my terrible carelessness?" Sophy
essayed to stand upright!
81 believe I felt a little faint" said
she, the color rushing back to the pale
face as she realized against whose shout
der she leaned. elbow shall we ever get
up, Mr. Nugent?" He smiled. She had,
fortunately escaped the rocks and landed
in little green ledge, unhurt; they were
about midway, and the ascent was not
very great.
II think I could carry You up
said, quite gravely. "You are not very
great weight, you know" She laughed.
"No; but think I will try to climb it
with your assistance" and she put her
hand in his with a child's simplicity.
They were fully ten minutes climbing.
however, for Nugent would not let her
90 fast and watched her steps with such
solicitude that her varying color came and
went more titfully than ever. By and by
they reached the top.
II don't know what should have done
without you," Sophy said, with a shy,
happy glance that utterly upset his dis
cretion. ~ wish I could thank you
properly"
"Do not" he said softly; then, quite
abruptly: "Will you solve problem that
I have been asking myself all morning?
Do you think in time | could make you
love me?"
Every particle of color died out of the
lovely face. ''Mr. Nugent" and she
burst into tears.
''My dear child! have I frightened
you?" he asked, panied look crossing
his face.
emo! yes!" she answered, vaguely,
terrified because Of guilty throb of Joy
in her heart, which she instinctively felt
ought not to be there. ''Oh! you don't
understand What would Vaughan say?
"Have you given him right to say
anything?" Nugent's tone was Steiner.
Cat least he would think he had"
she faltered out, feeling utterly wretched.
my dear!" he touched the little cold
hand with his lips. 'EDo not look so
troubled. [ must not lose your friend
ship He broke off abruptly. There
stood Hesketh and Florence
''Truants! We have had such a hunt
for you'll" cried the beauty, with an angry
sparkle of her eyes. Hesketh slipped
Sophy's hand within his own.
elbow dared that man kiss your hand!'
he said, in a wrathfui undertone, as they
followed the others.
'EVaughan!"
ooh, my love! do not you desert me!
have no one left in the wide world to
care for me if you do"
And Sophy felt miserably guilty, and
descended into the valley of humiliation,
and Vaughan talked desperate stuff and
persuaded her land himself very nearly
that she was his sole hope of redemption,
while his thoughts, carrying on the
double train that they often do, were
busy specializing whether Sophv Schuyler,