San Andreas independent., 1857-10-24
SOPHIE LYNN.

ury-a husband ditto, / suppose; but
that intermittent class of human beings
denominated s.lovcrs" are terrible bores.
1t does very well for woman to blush
and look fustered now and then, when
occasion makes it desirable; but to see a
man with face as red as ripe cherry,
and real parcel of strong mindedness,
self-reliance, and masculine dignity, done
up in broad-cloth and starched linen,
quaking from the toe Of his boot to the
top of his shirt collar, his mouth awry
and his tongue twisted into convulsions,
in the vain attempt to say something
sweet-O gracious !"
So said saucy Sophie Lynn aloud to
herself, as she sat swinging backwards
and forwards before her window, half
buried in the cushions of a luxurious
arm chair, and playing with a delicate
ivory fan that lay upon her lap.
at always seems so strange, not to say
tiresome," she continued, with running,
musical laugh, "after one has waltzed
and sung, quoted poetry and talked nom
sense with anybody, until one is puzzled
to know which of the two is most heart
less, ones self or ones companion, to
hear him come plump down on the SUBJ
ject of matrimony, as though that was the
legitimate result of every such insipid
acquaintanceship For my part | never
had lover (herc Sophie huttered her fan
and looked pleased, for she had more
than one, that was mt heartily sick of
after he had proposed. There was Cap
tain Morris-I thought him the hand
soonest man in my whole circle of ac-
quaintances, until he went on his knees
to me, and swore he should die if | did mt
take pity on him. Somehow he always
looked like fright to me afterwards
Then there was DIR. Wilkins-he was
really agreeable, and people said very
learned | was delighted with him for a
time; but he spoiled it all with that offer
of his-what long -winded adjectivcs =
and how the poor fellow hlushed, and
putfed, and perspred. He called me an
.adorable creaturc," and hiccoughed in
the middle of ssadorable" Horrors! I've
detested him ever since Then there
is a.
Here Sophie started. She heard the
door bell ring. With nervous spring
she stood before her mirror, smoothing
down her brown hair with haste truly
comical.
sit won't do to seem interested" she
said as she took finishing survey of her
person in the glass, and shook out, with
her plump, jewelled fingers, the folds of
her airy muslin dress.
The moment afterwards, when a ser
want entered to announce Harry Ainslee,
she was back on her old seat by the win
dow, rocking and playing with her fan,
apparently as unconcerned and listless as
though that name had not sent quicker
thrill to her heart, or the betraying
crimson all over her pretty face. "Tell
him will be down presently" she said.
The girl disappeared, and Sophie flung
open her window, that the cool, fresh
wind might fan away the extra rosiness
from her complexion. Then she went
again to the mirror, and after composing
her bright, eager, happy face into an ex-
preston of occurrences, descended to the
parlor A smile broke over her features,
aud she reached out both hands to her
guest; but as if suddenly recollecting
herself, drew them back again, and with
a formal bow of recognition, she passed
him, and seated herself in further cor
ner of the room.
1t was very evident that something
was wrong with Sophie; that she had
made up her mind, either not to be
pleased or not to please. Could it be
that she had foreseen what was coming !?
that prcsentiment of that visit and its
result had dictated the merry speeches in
her chamber? Be that as it may, half
hour had not elapsed before she knew
that Harry Ainslcc's hand and fortune
(Which latter, by the way, was nothing
wonderful, } were in the same place where
Captain Morris and DIR. Wilkins had
been before them.
"The first man that ever heard say
such things without making fool of
himself" muttered Sophie emphatically
from behind her fan, as she sat blushing,
and evidently gratifcd, yet without deign-
ing any reply to the gallant straightfor-
ward speech in which her lover had
risked his all of hope
He ought to do pennance for the pref
ty way he manages his tongue. He's al
together too calm to suit me-" And
Sophie shook her curly head meaningly,
holding her fan before her for screen
did she forget what she had been saying!
" | wonder if could suorc the way old
Uncle Jones used to in church," she So
liloquised. "Wouldn't it be fun ?-and
wouldn't it plague Harry if he thought
| had been asleep while he was talking?"
Sophie's blue eyes danced with sup
pressed merriment as she gave two or
three heavy breathings, and followed them
up with nasal explosion worthy of an
orthodox deacon. 1t was well done
Electrically done; and poor Harry sprang
bolt upright surprised, mortified, cha
grinneds Human nature could stand it
no longer, and Sophie gave vent to her
mirth in burst of triumphant laughter.
You little witch-you mischief
II q