The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-31
CHAPTER vi


A SLEEPING WOMAN KISSING PICTURE.
And now, the field being clear for her
operations, our little Agamemnon in petit
coats prepared for her part of the affair. She
was fully determined to root out of her
daughters mind the memory of Percival
Brent, and to marry Sophia brilliantly be-
fore many months were out. No sooner had
the young lover departed than she perceived
how much she had furthered her own ends
by her indulgence to her daughter these last
few days, especially at yne parting hour.
Sophia was quite tender with her when they
met, kissed her, fondled her, and was all the
evening so affectionate amid her hardly-re-
pressed grief, that the little plotting woman
began to discover soft place in her own
stony heart She was gentle with Sophia,
and took no direct notice of the poor girls
tears, which would come once or twice
during the evening, only, as she passed
stroked her head softly, intending to signify
that she sympathized with her, which she
really did. Tomorrow she would turn over
her new leaf.
"Sophy," she said at breakfast, at is ten
years this month since we were in Paris. ]
have fancy to go over there before the
weather gets too hot Would you like itgn
Anywhere with you, DEAR" Sophy replied,
cheerfully. She was determined not to NOPE,
and to begin early.
"Thats pleasant" the mother answered,
with beaming look. ave shall start this
day week"
Dresses had to be ordered, hotels had to BIZ
chosen, hundred preparations had to be
made, and Mrs. Temple saw with exultatiop
that Sophia entered into all the plans with
great spirit. The mother read in this sign
that already Percival was fading out of mind.
Il was sure he would, the little woman said
to herself. "Of course he must as time goes
on"
They stayed a month in Paris, and the
whole OF the time she managed to keep So
phia entertained in the most diverting way.
They had friends there, and the DAYS were
passed in set of choice little pleasures: and
whatever that inexhaustible purse of Mrs.
Temples could do to burnish the hours was
done with her own taste and tact.
Il shall show Sophia what the world isn
the worlds worshiper said to herself: aand
the Australian boy will soon vanish from her
mind, and love In cottage with him. Cot,
tage indeed! not if you can get house: and
not house If you can get a mansion! o.
it is wonderful how slow Sophia is to see the
FoiuO VI AAc! Dut Sue Is beginning. and with
her good sense she win soon be able to teach
instead of being taught"
And now, to Mrs. Temples unspeakable
qualification, there appeared on the scene a
man who was plainly thinking of making
Sophia an offer. Had the little woman been
choosing sutton she could not-so she said
afterward- made more promising selec-
ton must not say much about him. He
was ten years Sophia's senior, sedate but not
gloomy in his manner, his fortune was ample
els birth high, and his appearance was con,
sadered progressing He had long been resi-
dent In the neighborhood of Kettlewell. bu,
In Paris they were first introduced He met
the mother and daughter at dinner. Mrs
Barbara Temple, hearing of him before. haf
already wished inly that he might be strucl
with Sophia. She marked him as he walked
into the room, and at sight of him her wishes
redoubled. During dinner she watched him
narrowly. For a time he did not seem to
have even noticed Sophia, but at last be
looked at her. The little mother saw his raze
a5rastad in Measurable surpriaa. and for Tho