The weekly Shasta courier., 1873-04-12

has discovered his mistake, his pride won t
let him have anything more to do with her,
for fear, forsooth! that people should call
him mercenary. So he wants to try absence
as a cure, and came TO ask Geralds advice
What did your brother say?"
AZ fancy that he leans to the same idea N
Sophy thought Claras face was shade
paler than usual, when she replied:
"Then think it is very foolish and very
wrong. How can this gentleman know that
the heroine Of your anecdote does not re-
turn his affection? No true woman would
place money before her happiness or her
love. Indeed" she added rehectively, e"
have sometimes imagined that girls who
have not penny are really the most fortu-
nate"
"Well, suppose it was your case, what
would you have him to dor"
why, go to the young lady, of course
and trust to her judgment. Depend upon
it, if she be worth having, she will be his
best adviser. Other people have nothing to
do with it,
My sentiments exactly, only better ex-
pressed" said Sophy, laughing ; and soon
after she made an excuse to 60 to her own
room, where she penned the following note:
any DEAR GERALD-On mature consid-
Grafton, have arrived at the conclusion
that you are decided muff, and that Frank
Richards is another of the same species.
After due amount of pumping, | have as
certained, beyond the possibility of doubt,
that this knowledge of our fair friends finan-
ces is as correct as l expected. If people
have matchmaking aunts, who delight in
spreading reports of fortunes that exist
solely in their own imaginations, they fire.
quenty overshoot the mark. However,
prefer delivering my lectures orally; or l
will give you piece of my mind when You
come home, which if you value your own
happiness and my opinion of your good
sense you will do at the usual time. Yours,
"SoPHY."
This vague effusion, meeting with the
writer's entire approval-indeed, we rather
think she doubted whether Tallyrand HIM
self could have done better-was immedi-
ately dispatched to Gerald's Office and So
ply went to practice duets with Clara with
more than her usual energy.
The dav wore away, and the afternoon
was drawing to a close, when our heroine
suddenly started up with an exclamation of
annoyance.
How tiresome! Would you believe it,
Clara" she said, Il promised Marshall to
60 down to the nursery to-day to see some
new plants he has in. quite forgot it until
this moment Would you mind being left
alone, dear, little while? Gerald will soon
be home now. I should not like to disap-
point the man."
al will go with you"
"That would be the most agreeable ar
rangement as far as L am concerned but
Gerald would be sadly put out if there were
no one to pour out his tea for him. As
must pass Mrs. Clay's, should like to call
and see how she is; so I may be detained.
Will you act as housekeeper for once, Clara?
I shall be so much obliged"
Under such pressure of circumstances,
certainly" was the gay rejoinder.
Sophy did not take long to prepare for
her walk, and Clara, looking after her as
she went along the road, little thought what
scheming it had takne to plan that sudden
excursion to the nursery. 1t was a gener
Gus impulse that induced Sophy to absent
herself from home that afternoon; and if
the corners of the little lady's mouth did
culver, and her eyes twinkle, as she thought
over the explanation scene, her suppressed
merriment was a source Of great enjoyment
to herself, and did no one else harm. Pos
sibly Marshall's flowers required an extra
amount of admiration that day, or Mrs.
Clay's conversation was more than usually
attractive, or it may have been that both
these reasons for delay were combined. for
it was almost dusk when Sophy entered the
garden to Egmont Villa.
A smile of very decided meaning cross
ed her face as she noticed couple who
were standing in the porch, 80 absorbed in
themselves, that they did not observe her
approach. Gerald, his lighted cigar in his
hand was demonstrating sOWe knotty point
to his companion, whose eyes were raised
to his, and her little hands were clasped on
his arm, as Sophy knew they would not
have been that morning.
Romantic as the pair looked, it would
have been contrary to Sophy's nature to
have stood still long, even to admire them,
80, advancing towards them, she exclaimed :
Here have 1 been worrying myself for
fear you should be sending scouts in all d.
rections to look after me, and you don't
seem to trouble much about my absence in
the least"
With crimson flush, visible in the dim
twilight, Clara snatched her hand from Ger
aids arm, but he drew it back with gentle
determination, and as he did SO called his
sister to him.
81 have something to tell you, little one. "
"Do you think 1 don't know it already"
she asked with saucy smile
" Perhaps you have not heard it officially
yet. You are dear, good girl, though you
do tease sometimes, and am 80 pleased to-