The Mineral argus., 1885-02-05

lines Of Sophonisba AIMS figure before
thinted ut.
Now it happened that was engaged
in making a series VI sketches for u
comic journal, and SOphonisba Ann, ~
she now stood, was the very model I
wanted for one of them. The opportunity
was too good to he lost. seized paper
and pencil.
"One moment, my good grill" cried.
stay as you are; oblige me by not
moving"
Of course she did not stay "as she
was" but nearly enough SO to enable
me to throw on paper the outline which
had caught my fancy.
"Thanks-that will do" said as
blandly as could.
She simpered and actully forgot to
sniflle.
la, sir! whatever could you take
me like this for?" she cried at last. II
Id only been in my afternoon freck. at
least. and done my hair up a bit tidy
II You had told me; but Ia now"
Don't name it," said: I'D rather
not, m fact. wanted Won Just as you
are"
The next evening Mrs. Maudle came
mp smiling-yes, actually smiling!-
with cheerful serenity, if not a little
excitement in her demeanOr, as she
placed before me Photographic ike
ness of Sophronisba Ann.
(which Maudle and me, sir, couldn't
hear Of YOUR putin up with such a
sketch like, all of n hurry; and being
as our girl wasn't tilied up. rs she'd
wished. in course, SO Soplironisba AIMS |
been and had this took NO Mr.. Daubley's |
round the corner. il you'll accept it; |
and I'm sure good hearted. well-lis. |
posed CURL is my girl, though say it,
and not took up with follies like some,
and that ste adv, almost too steady for
her station in life, as her father tells
her; and I'm sure both her father and
me-but there, sir, when you're q par
ent You'll know what parents feelin's
are.
All this was said i'm one breath, with
out any pause whatever. I sat bewil-
dered, wondering if it would he unpar-
dOnably rude to reject the offer of u
lady's portrait, and what could say in
excuse.
I'm afraid,"I began. you're very
kind-the fact isl think didn't make
myself quite understood"
"Oh, yes. sir, you did. Pray don't
name it. You was all gentleman
should be; and Maudle and me are
proceeding further. conveyed herself
down stairs in a tremulous condition
between tears and smiles that fairly
stunned me. What could the stupil
people think wanted with their daugh-
49, III "A.
telpiece lit was not a very hattering
photograph resolving to take no more
notice of the thing; but next time Miss
Maudle came up | observed she wore q
flaming red ril'On in her hair and An as
sertive brooch in the front Of her dress.
She stole furtive glances at the mantel
caught her eve by chance. when, over
preliminary sniffie, she said. sweetly:
"Oh, il You please, sir, about walkin'
out on Sundays after chapel; for
mothers quite agreeable, bein' as
you're such o gentleman and
what do Won mean ?" said. sharply
enough. and quite forgetting the ten
der heartedness" of Sophonisba Ann in
the excess of my bewillerment but. in
stead Of answering me, that young per-
son flew to the window, crying: eft
there isn't that man a.c crossing the street
again. Oh. whateverll father do?
But Gin is at the door, and You'll pro-
tect poor father, l know" and she
rushed downstairs without further ex-
PLANTATION.
Another minute aud rapid and it
must he adde.l. stumbling footsteps be-
gan ascending the stairs, accompanied I
by the cries of Sophonisba Ann and the I
fainter sobs of her mother in the rear,
and Mr.. Maudle entered, supported by
his son and closely followed by a rough
and ready looking person with paper
in his hand.
Istared.
Mr.. Maudle waved his hand.
T-I-My dear friend-sir -iscuse-
abrupt visits" he cried, in hazy sort
of voice. "F-friends may-waive
sheremOny.
Here Mr.. Maudle swerved suddenly,
but Cincnnatus propped him up again.
"And II believe I'm correct saving
o friend in needs friend indeed"
(rhis very rapidly spoken.) Under
these shircumst8nce, I'm bound to
foregO u parents feelings"-
"Yes, Maudle. that's it," cried Mrs.
NJ, from behind the apron she held to
her eyes; 1--WE know what you'd say
what we'd both say, and feel likewise
and thank our stars as sent you, sir,
to our aid, which Tn sure We can never
repay, as it's lac lbs. 3D.
"f14 lis. al., interrupted the rough
and looking person, with
h<,,