The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1893-04-15
SOPHY WAS TRUE.
Mr.. Mortimore Will Now Attend
to His Own Business.

Mr.. Mortimore Will Now Attend
to His Own Business.
Let me see-where was it that first
met her? Oh, yes; it was under the
ancient arches of the old bridge, boat
ing by moonlight, the sound of flute
played softly afar off. and all of
sudden the keel of my boat coming
sharply in contact with somebody's
oars.
Hello, you!" cried out clear, iu-
cisive young voice. Where are you
going9 Why don't you look which way
you are steering?"
Charley Dresdenv' cried out ], little
needing the torrents of obloquy he was
beginning to heap upon me.
"Old Mortimorer' he responded joy
ously. 'Why, who on earth would
have thought of finding you dreaming
on the Thames? Herel Como into my
boat Hitch on your old craft behind;
and let me introduce you to Miss Sophy
Adriance."
looked as sharply at Miss Sophy as
the moonlight and my own modesty
would let me, for knew that she was
the especial admiration of my friend,
Charley Dresden. had heard her blue
eyes and peach blossom cheeks raved
about until even my much-enduring
patience had failed.
She was pretty, slight, round and
rosy, with china-blue eyes, a dimplc in
either check and golden brown hair
worn in long, loose curls, with none of
the fashionable denominations of
crimps, frizzes and artificial braids
about her.
Hardened old bachelor though l was.
i felt as if could have fallen in love
with her on the spot if l hadn't known
SO we'll that Charley had the first inn
ing.
We rowed home together, or at least
as far on our way home as the Thames
would take us. Sophy sung little boat
ballads Charley roared out tenor
barcarollcs. even cssaycd German
student song, which l learned at
Hcidelburg nobody knows how long
ago. and we parted the best of friends
A week afterward Dresden and
met face to face in st. James street.
''Hallo, Mortimorel'' said Charley,
his honest visage lighting up. hat
do you think of her?"
81 think she is pearl-a jewel--a
princess among women!" / answered
with perfect sincerity.
Congratulate me, then!' cried Char
lev, beaming all over, 'for I am en-
gagged to her. Only last night! Look
herep' opening mysterious silver
case which he took from his inner vest
pocket "What do you think Of that
for an engagement ring?"
"a fine diamond" said /, critically
putting my head to one side, land
fancifully set.
..We're to be married in October"
said Charley, lowering his voice to the
most confidential tones. at might
have been sooner if hadn't under
taken that business in France for our
firm. But / shall be sure to be back by
October"
So we parted with reciprocating
squeeze of the hand, and Charley's
bright face haunted me all day with q
sort of "reminiscences of what might
have happened to me if hadn't been
fivc-and-forty, with bald spot on the
back Of my head.
| spent an evening with her after
ward at the West end house, where she
and her mother--a nice, bright-eyed
little woman, the full-blowu rose to
correspond with Sophy's budding love-
liness-dwelt in the cosiest of apart
ments, furnished in dark blue reps,
aud with canaries and geraniums in the
windows.
ut is so kind of you to come" said
Sophy, with gentle pressure OF the
hand, when went away. ''l'm so glad
to welcome Charleys friends"
And thought that could sit through
another evening of commonplace chit
chat and photograph albums for such
reward as that
Well, Charley Dresden went away
and, as he didn't particularly leavs
Sophy Adriance in my charge, didn'
feel called upon to present myself a
the lodging house where the blue rcp'
figured and the canaries sang in thu
south windows
| supposed, naturally enough, tina
all was going right, until one day ! re
eeiyed a note from my old friend Bull
lion. the banker, man of sixty, wh'
wears q wig and spectacles, and count
his income upon the double figures
Bullion wrote from Brighton. wher'
he had Como because he didn't know
what else to do with himself in tn
dull season. He asked me to DC hi
best man. Eulliop was going to D
married!
"of course you'll think it foolis'
thing for me to do" wrote BUTTON
..syen at sixty man has not entirel.
outlired the age Of sentiment; an
when once you see Sophy Adriance 20
will forgive any seeming inconsistent
on my part
..sophy Adriance!" Was this the wa
poor Charley's fiancee was serving hif
while he was across the channel, try
ING TO earn little money for her sake
NV heart rebellsd against the iicsis
usss OF woman.
vent straight 70 The pretty WEI