West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-11-07

fully up at him as they started forth from
the hotel, he pretended not 10 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-so 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 MIR. CLAY
back with message to Aunt Cynthia, and
then she strayed on alone, and very mar
rowly escaped coming to serious grief.
She was going along the edge of a lovely
little rayine, pausing now and then to
admire its beauty, when suddenly some
body said, just behind her:
"a penny for your thoughts, Miss
sophy."
The voice startled her, she stepped on
n round pebble, which turned treacher-
ously under her foot; she felt herself
falling-gave gasping cry-and then
oblivion
A warm hand clasped hers as she trem-
bled back into consciousness.
"My dear childp Owen Nugent's
voice was trihe unsteady. care YOU
hurt by my terrible carelessnoss9" Sophy
essayed to stand upright
81 believe l felt little faint" said
she, the color rushing back TO the pale
face as she realized against whose shoul-
| der she leaned. GLOW shall we ever get
up, Mr.. Nugentl" He smiled. She had
fortunately escaped the rocks and landed
in a little green ledge, unhurt; they were
about midway, and the ascent was not
very great.
~ think / could carry you up" ho
said, quite gravely. "You are not very
great weight, you know" She laughed.
''No; but think will try to climb il
with your assistance" and she put her
hand in his with child's simplicity.
They were fully ten minutes climbing
however, for Nugent would not let her
/ go fast and watched her steps with such
solicitude that her varying color came aud
went more fitfully than ever BY and by
| they reached the top.
81 don't know what should have done
without you" Sophy said, with shy,
/ happy glance that utterly upset his dis
cretion. II wish / could thank YOU
properly"
''Do not, he said softly; then, quite
abrubtly: "Will you solve a problem that
have been asking myself all morning2
Do you think in time could make you
! love met"
Every particle of color died ont of the
lovely face. "Mr. Nugentl" and she
burst into tears.
"My dear child have / frightened
you2" he asked, panied look crossing
his face.
"Noi yes!" she answered, vaguely,
terrified because of guilty throb of Joy
in her heart. which she instinctively felt
ought not to be there. "Ohl you don Z
understand What would Vaughan say9
"Have you given him right to say
anythingl" Nugent's tone was sterner
Cat least he would think he had "
she faltered out, feeling utterly wretchcd
my dearl" 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
"Truantsl We have had such hunt
for you'll" cried the beauty, with an angry
sparkle of her eyes. Hesketh slipped
Sophy's hand within his own.
''How dared that man kiss your hand i''
he said, in wrathful undertone, as they
followed the others.
"Vaughani"
"Oh, my Lowell do not you desert me I
j have no one left in the wide world 10
care for me il you do"
And Sophy felt miserably guilty, and
descended into the valley of humiliation
and Vaughan talked desperate stuff and
! persuaded her (and himself very nearly)
that she was his sole hope of redemption,
while bis thoughts, carrying ON the
I double train that they often do. were
busy sPeculating whether Sophy Schuyler,
with her pretty face and prospective for
tune, was AS rich prize as sallow Aunot
Osborne, with half million already
her own. And for the rest Of tho day
bis mind ran upon certain old proverb,
/ which demonstrates the superiority Of a
bird in the hand, with curious peril
nacIty.
The weather for some days had been
eccentric TO the dire bewilderment Of all
weather prophets Such sitting hot
mornings for October and torrents Of
RAIN at nightfalt, with mists and damps
at all hours Of the day Therefore.
when Sunday morning dawned without
an actual storm, people congratulated
themselves and declared their intention
Of going 10 church, aud being pfous, re-
gardlcss ofthe duh, heavy afr.
SOphy was late and when she came
down at last she hurried Heskoth Off
down the bill and got into. church after
service had begun. The little edifice
was very full, and she walked hcsitatinp
" up the. aisle, feeling grateful when
Nugents handquioilg opcnod pew door
next his own for them, and She sunk
down, into. a corner farthcst away from
Hcsketh.
Blorcnce's blue feather nodrIing IN
front Of her, beside Nugent's broad
shoulder, distracted her attention for
awhile; but when the choir joined in
hymn, solemn and subdued rs the music
was, sophy's head dropped forward be
tween her hands and she began te weep
s5fflv'