Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-07-28
THE END OF A wOMAN,s oAPRIcEs.
A LOVE STORY.

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THE END OF A wOMAN's CAPRICEs.
A LOVE STORY.
"Men are never so awkward, never so un-
graceful, never so disagreeable, as when they
are making love. A friend is a luxury, hus-
band ditto, SUPPOSE but that intermittent class
of human beings denominated lovers, are terri
bic bores. 1t does very well for women to blush
and look fustered now and then, when occasion
rnakes 1t desirable; but to sec man with his
face as red as a ripe cherry and a real parcel of
strong g-mindedness, self-relisnee, and masculine
dignity, done up in broadeloth and starched lin
en-, quaking from the toe of his boot to the top
of his shirt collar, his mouth awry, and his
tongue twisted into commissions, in the vain at
tempt to say something sweet-0 gracious"
So said saucy Sophie Lynn aloud to herself,
as she sat swinging backwards and forwards be-
fore the window, half buried in the cushions of
a lcIuriant arm chair, and playing with deli
cate ivory fan which lay upon her lap.
at also seems 50 strange, no. to say tire
sOme," she continued, with a running musical
laugh, latter one has waltzed and sung, quoted
poetry, and talked nonsense, with anybody, ill
one is puzzled to know which one of the two is
most heartless, ones self or one companion, to
matrimony, as though that was the Legitimate
result of every such insipid acquaintance For
my part, l never had lover (here Sophie fut-
tered herfan and looked pleased, for she had had
more than one,) that l wasn't sick of after he
proposed. There was Capt. Morris; thought
him the handsomest man in the whole circle of
my acquaintance, until he went on his knees
to me, and swore he should die if didn't take
pity on him. Somehow, he always looked 4
fright to me afterwards Then there was Dr.
Wilkins; be was really agreeable, and people
said very learned Twas delighted with him for
time; but he spoiled it all with that offer of
his-what lOng-winded adjectives! and how the
poor fellow blushed, pulled. and perspiredl He
called me an adorable creature, and hiccouRh-
ed in the middle of adorable HOrforsl have
hated him ever since. Then there was a.
Here Sophie started. She heard the door
bell ring. With a nervous spring she stood be-
fore the mirror, smoothing down her brown hair
with face truly cOmical.
at 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 servant en-
tered to announce Mr.. Harry Ainslee, size was
back to her old seat by the window, rocking
and playing with her fan, apparently as uneon-
cerned and listless as though that name had not
sent quicker thrill 10 her heart or the betray-
ing crimson all over her pretty face "Tell him
| will be down presently" she said.
The girl disappeared, and Sophie flung open
the window, that the cool fresh air 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
expression of occurrences, descended TO the par
l. A L.
reached out both hands to the guest; but, as il
suddenly recOlecting herself She drew them
back again, and, with formal bow of recogri-
tion, she passed him, and seated herself ia
further corner Of the room.
II was very evident that something was wrong
with Sophie; that she had made up her mind
either not TO be pleased, OrnOt to please. Could
it be that she had foreseen what was comingi
That presentiment of that visit and its result
hal dictated the merry speeches n her chamber
Be that as it may, half hour had not elapsed
before Henry Ainslee's hand and fortune
which latter, by the way, was nothing wonder.
ful-weTe in the same place where Capt Nor
ns's and DR.. Wilkins's had been before them.
THE first man that / ever heard say such
things without making fool of himself" NUT
tered Sophie emPhatically from behind her fan,
as she sat blushing and evidently gratifed, yet
without deigning any reply to the gallant,
straightforward speech in which her lover had
risked his all of hoPe.
"He ought to do penance for the pretty way
in which he manages his tongue He's alto
gether too calm to suit me" And Sophie shook
her curly head meaningly, holding her hand be-
fore her for screen-did she forget what she
had been sayingl 81 wonder If l could snore
the way old Uncle Jones used to in churchi" she
soliloquized. Wouldn't it be fun and wouldn't
it plague Harry if he thought l had been asleep
while he was talkingi"
Sophie's blue eyes danced with suppressed
merrimenta as she gave two or three heavy breath
ings, and followed them up with nasal e1plo-
sion worthy Of an orthodox deacon. It was
well done, and theatrically done; and poor Har-
~ spraDg but uPright-surprised, mortified,
chzgrined Human nature could stand it no
longer, and Sophie gave vent to her mirth in a
burst Of triumphant laughter.
''Y-o-u little witch-yOu mischief-you spirit
Of evil ~ exclaimed the relieved Harry, as he
sprang to her side, and caught her by the arm
with grip that made her scream "YOu de-
serve shaking for your behaviour" :" Then,
lowering his voice, he added, gravely:
"Will You never have done t0rmenting me
If you love me, can you not be generous
enough to tell me so And if youdo not am
lOL dI lcdsl hoAktl1 VI d CAAAolu IGlubdA@
Words spr1ng to Sophie's lips that would
have done credit to her womanly nature, and
made her lovers heart bound with rapture,
for the whole depths of her being were stirred
and drawn towards him as they never before
had been before towards any Tan.
But she could not quite give up her raillery
then. She would go one step further from him,
ere she laid her hand in his, and told him he
vas dearer than all the world beside. So she
checked the tender response that trenbled On
her tongue, and fiinging off his grasp, with a
moeking gesture and a ringing laugh, danced
across the room to the piano.
She seated herself; she ran her fingers grace
fully over the keys, and broke out in wild,
brilliant, defiant song, that made her listeners
ears tingle as he stood watching her. and ehok
ing back the indignant words that came crowd
ing to his lips for utteranee.
''Sophie, listen 10 me :" he said at length, as
she paused from her sheer exhaustion. els it
generous. is it Just, to trihe with me so! To
turn into ridicule the devotions Of heart that
offers to you the most reverent objections!
II have loved you, because, beneath this vol
atile surface character Of yours, thought
saw truthfuluess and simplicity, purity Of soul,
and warm current of tender, womanly feel
A. - h. nth hlaza1nue the Trhnla