The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-02-23
SOPHY WAS TRUE.
Mr.. Mortimore VIII Now Attend
to His Own Business.

Let me see-where was 1t 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 a
sudden the keel of my boat coming
sharply in contact with somebody's
oars.
Hello, youl" cried out clear, in
cisive young voice. Where are you
going? Why don't you look which way
you are steering?'
Charley DresdenF' cried out I, little
needing the torrents of obloquy he was
beginning TO heap upon me.
odd Mortimorep' he responded Joy
ously. "Why, who on earth would
have thought of finding you dreaming
on the Thames? Herel Come 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
she especial admire alton of my friend,
Charley Dresden had heard her blue
eyes and peach-blossOm cheeks raved
about until even my nIuch-enduring
patience had failed
She was pretty, slight, round and
rosy with ohina-blue eyes, dimple in
either check and golden brown hair
worn n long, loose ourls, with none of
the fashionable denominations of
crimpa, frizzes and artificial braids
about her.
Hardened old bachelor though / was,
telt as If could have fallen in love
with her on the spot if hadn't known
so well that Charley had the first inn
ing
We rowod homo together, or at beast
as far on our way homo as tho Thames
would take US SOphy sung little boat
ballads. Charley roared out tenor
barcaroIles l oven essayed German
student song, which i learned at
HeideIburR nobody knows how long
ago, and we parted the best of friends.
A week afterward Dresden and
met fsSe to face in ST. James street.
Halo. Mortjmorel'' said Charley,
his honest visage lighting up What
do you think of herr"
II think she is pearl--a jewell
princess among womsen!' l answered
with perfect sincerity.
Congratulate me, theni" cried Char
ley, bea1Ding all over. '+for / am en-
gagged to her. Only last night Look
herer' opening a 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 I, critically
putting my head TO ono side, and
fancifully set
Were to be married IN October
said Charley, lowering his voice to the
most confidential tones. at might
have been sooner if l hadn't under
baken that business in France for our
firm. But l shall be sure to be back by
October"
So we parted with reciprocatinr
squeeze of the hand, and Cha-ley's
bright face haunted me all day with a
Bort OF Renaissance of what nligha
have happened to me if hadn't been
Hve-and-forty, with bald spot on the
back OF my head.
ePShS al SfShAAf5 Win nor AFTER
ward at the West end house, where she
and her nother-aS NICE, hright-eyed
little woman, the 1UIl-blowu rose to
correspond with Sophy's budding love
Gness-dwelt IN the cosiest of apart
nents. furnished in dark blue reps.
md with csnaries and geraniums In the
windows
'lt is SO kind OF you to come" said
Sophy, with a gentle pressure of the
hand, when went away. I'm so glad
TO welcome Chariey's friends"
And thought that could sit through
another evening Of commonplace chit
.hat and photograph albums for such
reward as that
Well, Charley Dresden went awav.
End, as he didn't particularly leave
Sophy AGriance IN my charge. didn't
feel called upon to present myself a.
the lodging house where the blue reps