The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-17

reared about five o'clock, just as the lamps
were lighted in the drawing room. Luck had
it this time that Sophia should be sitting
alone, and as she rose to welcome her visitors
she remarked that her mother and Sibyl were
in the library and Car out for walk The
little man, with praiseworthy readiness-per-
haps he had got hint acknowledgements
that he would go to the library, as he wanted
to speak with Mrs. Temple; and at the word
he hurried from the room, and left our pair
alone. Sophia, glancing at Percival, noticed
that he carried a small parcel in his hand;
and he, finding himself alone with her, re-
solved to finish his broken story. He lost no
time now, having learned lesson on that
subject already.
II was interrupted the other day when l
was telling you about Australia" he re-
marked, drawing chair close beside her
"Shall finish what was saying~
"Do"
"That girl am in love with so passion
ately, who got my heart out there" all this
came out with such tumultuous haste that
she might have known what would follow
shall show you her portraitg'
~ should like to see it."
/ II thought you would. I brought it with
me-" he said, opening his packet with trem
bling fingers. "Only let me tell you this PIC
ture gives you very faint idea of her in
deed. 1t is beautiful, but her actual face
past all likeness and all praise, soft as star
light, pure as snow, tender as the sprine
sunshine, full of life and truth. Oh how
love It'll"
"She must be happy" Sophia said, with 8
delicate sadness that whispered all he wantet
to know, but the excited young fellow did no.
mark it. "She must be very happy. Let me
look at the picture"
Almost with sob she said it,
II shall show it in a moment" he replied
holding it ready to turn up to the lamplight'
"only let me finish my story first 1t was
this picture fell in love with. I resolved
when saw the face that is here to live and
die for it. Its heavenly fairness subdued mt
in moment and for ever, and all my fear
was lest the true face should not be as lovely.
had to wait long time before l saw the
Original-many months. All that time l was
true to my picture, and gazed at it morning,
noon and night, till every feature was printed
on my heart Then the day came when l
saw-her. At the sight all memory of the
picture vanished quite away Oh, how I
trembled lest she should be promised to
another, or lest she should not love mel"
Was she promised to another?"
"No"
There followed tiny sigh.
"And did she-did she-Oh, but she must!n
Sophia said, turning her sad full eyes on his
manly face. II can finish the story; she said
she would love YOU"
"The story is not finished yet, )" he cried, i'm
petuously. "But you are right in one thing
you can finish it. Look, this is the picture of
the girl I love-"
She bent to look, and as she did so tear
she could not keep back dropped on the card
board. The next instant she uttered cry
and started to her feet. She had seen herself.
A moment she looked at him, and such was
the struggle of surprise, delight, modesty and
fear in her face that he was now as far from
her secret as moment before she had been
from his. He thought she was angry.
"Miss Temple Sophia" he said, "don't be
angry. If I have offended you, did not
mean it. Surely you won't be angryw
Still she made no answer, but only looked
at him, for speech and action had forsaken
her together; and he, foolish fellow, grew
certain that she was displeased.
IL loved it so. he said. pleading II could
not help it.; and wanted to tell you myself
before spoke to others about it. wanted
you to hear the story first from my own lips. ;"
He hung his head, ashamed to look at her.
81 know l am presumptious. feel sure al
ready that you will tell me l am not the man
you can love. wish | had waited little be
fore speaking; the dream was SO much bet
ter than this awakening but I could keep
myself silent no longer. Perhaps it is as well
to know it at once. 1t will save"
But as he spoke, her cheek came close to
his own, and her little hand fell on his
shoulder. Too womanly for coquetry or
coyness she gave her answer at once, and
with such readiness that neither Percival nor
Sophia were able to settle that night which
kissed the other first