The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-31
rest OF the evening he managed to look at the

rest OF the evening he managed to look at the
young girl as often as possible.
The next day the stranger, whose name
was Prendergast, made some excuse for call
ing upon them, and you may be sure he
was graciously received. His conversation
, pi, ed Sophia, that was plain; and Mrs
Temple, watching him, saw in his manner
shat which delighted her beyond expression
Next day fresh invitation came from the
, friend at whose house they had first met-just
hasty party, the note said.
"Aha," little Mrs. Temple said to herself,
"a hasty partly Got up at the instigation of
Prendergast, dare swear. Sherwood and
he are such friends. If Prendergast does not
, take Sophia down to dinner / am much mis-
taken"
He did And he proved genial COM
panion, with plenty of talk of the quieter
sort He could interest cultivated women,
being artistic and literary, without being a
pedant or a bore-that, at least, was his
friends opinion of him.
Don't you think Mr.. Prendergast very
entertainingw the mother asked as they
drove home.
avery" Sophia replied, emphatically.
The little woman nearly skipped off her seat
| for triumph.
During these early days Mrs. Temple could
never quite make out whether or not Sophia
perceived that this promising Mr.. Prendergast
was in love with her. In love he clearly was,
but his manner was so unobtrusive, and his
general conversation so lively, that even
Sophia might not have detected what was
plain to the watching eyes of her mother. 1t
was nice point for Mrs. Temple to settle
Sophia evidently enjoyed their new friends
society, and as she was no coquette-not as
much as she ought to be, her mother used to
say-she must either have forgotten one lover
or not recognized the other. Which was the
fact Mrs Temple longed to know. Some
times she thought Sophia was in reality pre-
occupied, and only assumed a vivacity to
cover her want of interest. At other times,
and more frequently, Mrs. Temple felt con-
WINGED that she was truly pleased with Prem
dergast, and would, after decent interval,
confess her satisfaction.
| At last an evening came when Prendergast
calling in upon the Temples, found the
mother and daughter IT home and, after a
title conversation, music happened to be
mentioned, at which Mrs. Barbara made the
most casual remark about Sophia having
sung a particular song the night before
Prendergast asked if he might hear it, and
Sophia, cOnsenting, with a istleSs air sat
down to the piano and sang. Prendergast
praised the song, asked for another and an
other, and Sophia complied in the same list
| less way. She sang well, but her eyes had a
kind of far-off look, very suggestive of
Australia. The little mother, however,
could not see Sophias face; Prendergasts she
saw, and it told her great deal At last
Sophia began, "Oft in the Silly Night" and
now mo doubt because the theme touched
| herr she sang with great expression and ten
derness, and her admirer stood over her,
radiant with love and admiration.
20, that could see her!" murmured Mrs.
Barbara. She scanned Sophia eagerly when
the song was finished, but her expression said
neither eyes" nor mo-" Shortly after,
Prendergast bid them good night and re-
strained as his manner usually was, he now,
either through accident or with design, let
Sophia know the state of his heart Mrs
Barbara Temple saw flush come out on her
daughters pale face as she withdrew her
! hand from his.
"Now we shall see," thought the little
woman. Every prettily he managed it, too
1 observed nothing"
She resolved not to ask Sophia any ques-
ton until next morning; but after she had
retired a little while, curiosity got the better
of her, and in her dainty dressing gown she
crossed over to her daughters room, and
tapping gently at the door stepped in.
She saw-not what she expected. Sophia
was not at her glass, nor chatting to her
maid, nor gone to sleep. The poor girl was
at her prayers, and had not heard her mother
enter. The little woman stood moment
CHI
kind of hop; she scarcely liked the pro spect
of confronting the serious face which she
knew would rise to greet her from between
those uplifted hands.
II shall go to bed, she said, when she re-
gained her own room, land l shall talk to
| Sophia IN the morning"
| She sat down, however, and fell into
muse, AMI a look of unwonted gravity ruled
her face and features for a time Probably
| she was recalling past scenes; for two or three
| times she shook her head with kind of re-
Elective sadness, until she was rouseo by the
second chime which had sounded since she
| last sat down.
Il wonder if Sophy is up nowg' she muir
INJURED She can't be at that so long,
| And changing her mind she again stepped
over, and, finding the door ajar as she left it,
she entered the room once more The lamp
was still burning, but Sophia was in bed, and,
her silence indicated, sleeping. The mother
walked softly across and looked at her
daughter.
She was fast asleep The night was warm,
and she had thrown back the quilt a little,
and her arm her brown hair, and glimpse
OF her white and innocent breast, together
with the repose of her expression. made up a
picture which many an artist would have given
years income to paint. She looked the
very image of purity and peace, and even
little Mrs. Barbara, who was shot-proof
against most forms of emotion, felt moisture
stealing into her eyes as she gazed She bent
a little down, and then she saw that the face.
now so calm, had been traversed by recent
tears. Yes, Sophia had been crying since
she lay down, and she had fallen asleep with
wetted cheeks
Something in her hand caught the mothers
eye, and she looked closer still Her hand was
beside her face, and the little article she held
was placed SO that her sleeping lips Just
touched it, With great caution and stiffness,
Mrs. Barbara Temple lowered her eyes, and,
looping and stretching, she managed to see
what her daughter was holding 1t was
| miniature of Perciva1 BRENT