Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-07-08

A LOVE STORY.

Srace1ui, never SO ulsagfeeaDle, as Wnen tney
are making love. A friend is luxury, a
husband ditto, suppose; but that intermit-
tent class of human beings denominated low
ers' are terrible bores 1t does very well for
women to blush and look fustered now and
then, when occasion makes it desirable; but
to see man with his face as red as a ripe
cherry, and real parcel of strong-minded-
ness, self reliance and masculine dignity done
up in broadcloth and starched linen, quaking
from the toe of his boot to the top of his shirt
collar, his mouth awry, and his tongue twist
ed into commissions, in the vain attempt to
say something sweet-O, gracious"
So said saucy Sophie Lynn aloud to her
self. as she sat swinging backwards and for
wards before the window, half buried in the
cushions of a luxuriant armchair, and play
ing with delicate ivory fan which lay upon
her lap. Hs
1T also seems so strange, not to say tire
some," she continued, with running, musical
laugh, 'after one has waltzed and sung quot
ed poetry and talked nonsense, with any body
till one is puzzled to know which of the two
is most heartless ones self or ones compan-
ion, to hear him come down plump on the
subject of matrimony, as though that was the
legitimate result of every such insipid &C
quaintance -? For my part / never had a
lover Cher Sophie fiuttered her fan 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 hand
soonest man in the whole circle of my ac-
quaintance, until he went on his knees to me
and swore he should die if l didn't take pity
on him. Somehow he always looked like a
fright to me afterwards. Then there was DR..
Watkins-he was really agreeable, and people
said very learned. | was delighted with him
for time; but he spoiled it all with that offer
of .his-what long-winded adjectivesl and
how the poor fellow blushed, pulled and per-
spiredi he called me an adorable creatures,
and hiccoughed in the middle of adorable
Horrors! i have hated him ever since. Then
there Was"
Here Sophie started. She heard the door
bell ring. With nervous spring she stood
before her mirror, smoothing down her brown
hair with taste truly comical.
1T 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 the servant
entered to announce Mr.. Harry Ainslee she
was back to her old seat by the window, rock
ing 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
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
parlor A smile broke over her features, and
she reached out both hands to the guest; but
as if suddenly recollecting herself, she drew
them back again, and with formal bow of
recognition, she passed him and seated herself
in the further corner 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 a presentimcnt of that visit
and its result had dictated the merry speeches
in her chamber? Be that as it may: a half
hour had not elapsed before Harry Ainslee's
hand and fortune (Which latter, by the way,
were nothing wonderfully were in the same po-
sitiOn that Capt. Morris's and DIR. Watkins had
been before them.
''The first man that ever heard say such
things without making a fool of himself, -
muttered Sophie emphatically from behind
her fan, as she sat blushng and evidently
gratified, yet without deigning any reply to
the gallant, straight forward speech in Which
her lover had risked his all of hope.
'He ought to do penance for the pretty way
he manages his tongue. He's altogether 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. Il wonder if could snore the
way Uncle Jones used to in church?'' solil-
oquized. 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 suppressed
merriment as she gave two or three heavy
breathings, and followed them up with ma
sal explosion worthy of an orthodox deacon.
1t was well done-and poor Harry sprang bolt
upright-surprised, mortified, chagrined. HUI
man nature could stand it no longer, and So
phie gave vent TO her mirth in burst of tri-
umphal laughter.
"You 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 a grip that made her scream. You de-
serve shaking for your behavior'' Then
lowering his voice, he added gravely:
"Will you never have done tormenting me?
If you love me, can you not be generous G.
nOugh to tell me so and if you do not am
l not at least worthy of a candid refusal ~
Words sprang 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 had
been towards any man.
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 was dearer than all the world beside. So
she checked the tender response that Il embed
on her tongue and tiinging off his grasp, with
a mocking gesture and ringing laugh, danced
across the room to the piano
She seated herself she ran her fingers
gracefully over the keys, and broke out into a
wild, brilliant, defiant song, that made her
listeners ears Jingle as he stood watching her
and choking back the indignant words that
came crowding to his lips for utterance.
sophie, listen to mel'' he said at length. as
she paused from sheer exhaustion. lis il gen.
il just TO trifie with me so to turn
INTO ridicule the emotions of heart that offers |
10 you the most reverent affections?
~ have loved you. because beneath this |
volatile surface character Of yours, thought |
saw truthiulness and simplicity, purity of |
soul, aud warm current of tender, womanly |
ceilings, that would battle with blessings the |
whole life OF him whose hand was so FORUM
tie as to couch its secret springs. You are an |
leiress, and only poor students; but if that |
= the reason why you treat my suit so scorn- |
lilly, you are less the noble woman than / |
thought you"
Sophie's head was averted, and suspicious |
Moisture glistened in her eyes as Harry
ceased speaking. All! why is il that we some
zines hold our highest happiness 80 lightly
carrying it carelessly in our hands as though |
{ were but dross, stalking it all upon an idle
.aprce!
When she turned her countenance towards
lin again, the same mocking light was in her
yes, the same coquettish smile breathed from
Ter red lips.
Speaking of heresses," - said Sophie
there's Helen Myrtle, whose father is worth
vice rs much "a mine Perhaps you had
,etter transfer your attention to her, Mr..
Ainslec The difference in our dowries would
10 doubt be quite an inducement and pos
IDLY she might consider your case more Sc
iously than have done"
Like an insulted prince, Harry Ainslee
TODD up before her-the hot, fiery, indignant
Hood dashed in fierce torrent over his face
his arms crossed tightly upon his breast as