The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-07-19
S0PHY WAS TRUE.
Mr.. Mortimere win Now Attend
to His Own Businoss.

Let me see where iwas. L that first
met hero oh, yes; IL was under the
ancient arches Of the old bridge, boat
ing bY moonlight, the sound q flute
played softly afar on, and all OF q
Sudden the keel Of my boat coming
sharply IN contact with somebody's
oars.
Hello, your cried out clear, in.
cisivc young voice. Where are you
going2 Why don't you look which way
you arc stccring?r
Charley Dresden cried out !. littic
needing the torrents Of obloqny he was
beginning 10 heap upon me.
'Old Mortimorer' he responded joy
ously. Why, who on earth would
have thought Of finding You dreap>ing
on the Thames1 lIerci Come into my
boat, Hitch % your old craft behind;
and let mr. introduce you u Miss Sophy
Adriance. "
looked as sharply al Miss Sophy as
the moonlight and my own modesty
would let me, for knew that she wRs
the especial admiration Of my friend,
Charley Dresden. had heard her blue
eyes and peach blossom checks raved
about until even my mnch-enduring
patience had failed.
She was pretty, slight, round and
rosy, with china-bin eyes. dimple 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 was,
j felt as II could have fallen in love
with her on the spot If ! hadn't known
so well that Charley had the first inn-
ing.
We rowed home together, or at least
as far on orr way home as the Thames
would take us. Sophy sung little boat
ballads Charley ronred out tenor
barcarolles. even essayed German
student song, which | learned at
Heidclburg 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.
Halo, Mortimoret' said Charley.
his honest visage lighting up; What
do you think of her?"
Il think she is pearl--a jewel-4ta
princess among womenl ] answered
with perfect sincerity.
Congratulate me. thehi'' cried Char
ley, beaming all over, for ! am en-
gagged to her. Only last night Look
hereln opening a mysterious silver
case which he took from his inner vest
pocket. What do you think Of that
f,A,- a - - >, rsuFrob 81.
"a fine diamond, said !, critically
putting my head to one side, and
fancifully set
We're to be married in October"
said Charley, lowering his voice TO the
most confidential tones. -.'It 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 a yeciprocating
squeeze of the hand, and Gharley's
bright face haunted me all day with a
sort Of "reminiscences OF what might
have happened to inc II | hadn't been
five-and-forty, with a bald spot onsthe
back Of my head
spent an evening with her after
ward Ut the West end house, where she
and her motbera nice, brigift-eyed
little woman, the full-blown rose to
correspond with Sophy's budding love
illness dwclt in the cosiest of apart
ments, furnished in dark blue reps,
and with canaries and gcraniums in the
windows.
1T Is SO kind Of yon to come" said
Sophy, with gentle pressure Of the
hand, when went away. "lm SO glad
I'd welcome Charlcy's friends,
And thought that could sit through
another evening Of commonplace chit
chat and photograph albums for such q
reward as that.
Well, Charley Dresden went away,
and. as he didn't particularly leave
Sophy Adriance In my charge, didn't
feel called upon to present myself at
the lodging house where the blue reps
figured end the canaries sang in the
South Windows.
] supposed, naturally &enough, that
all was going right, until one day re-
ceiyed note from my old friend Bull
lion, the banker, a man Of sixty, who
tNCs1Eht u 'Att
his income upon the double figures.
Bullion wrote from Brighton, where
he had gone because he didn't know
what elsa TO do with hiaself in the
dull season. He asked me to be his
best man Bullion was going to be
married.
.of course you'll think it a foolish
thing for me to, do, wrote Bullion;
.'cyen at sixty man has not entirely
outlived the age Of sentiment; and
when once you see Sophy Adriance you
will forgive any seeming Inconsistency
on my part
s'Sophy Adriance!'' Was this the way
poor Charley's fancee was serving him
while he was across the channel, try
ing to earn little money for her salSe2
Ny heart rebelled against the tickle
ness Of woman
went straight to the pretty West