Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1893-03-16
SOPHY WAS TRUB.

Let me see-whcre was 1t that l 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 afsr off, and all of a
sudden the keel of my boat coming
sharply IN contact with somebcdy's
oars.
Hello. you 7 cried out clear incis-
i've young voice. Where are you 90
ing: Why don't you look which way
you are steering?'
Charley Dresdea + cried out /. little
needing the torrents Of vb'oqay he was
beginning TO heap upon me.
old Mortlmole he responded JOY.
onsly. why, who on earth would have
thought Of finding you dreaming on the
Thames? ? Here! Come into my boat.
Hitch on your old craft behind; aid
let me introduce you to Miss Sophy
Adriaace.
looked as sharply ut Miss Sophy as
the moonlight and nv own modesty
wonld let me, for knew that she was
the especial admiration Of my fr;en !, ,
Charley Dresden. had heard her blue
eyes aud peach-blossom cheeks raved
about until even my much enduring pa
thence had failed.
She was pretty, slight. round and ro
81 with china blue eyes. dimple in
either cheek and golden brown hair
worn in long, loose curls, with pone OF
the fashlona bic denominations of crimps.
frizzes and artificial bralds about her.
Hardened old bachelo, though | was.
I felt AS If | could have fallen in loye
with her on the spot il | badn known
go well tL.t Charlie had the first inn
ing.
We rowed home together. or at least
"a far on our way home as the Thames
would take us. Sophy sung little boat
ballads. Charley roared out tenor
barcarolles. even essayed a German
.tudent song. which learned 1T Held
elhurg nobody knows how long ago. and
We parted the best If friends.
A week after Dresden and l met face
to face in St James street.
Halo, Morlimore salI Charley, hls
honest v'sage lighting ny. What do
yon think of her:
I think she is pearl-a Jewel-a
princess among w,men. / ANSWERED
with perfect sincerity.
Congratulate NE, then |! said Charlie.
beaming all over. for am engaged to
her. Only last night Look here /!
opening IL mysterious silver case which
he took from his inLer vest pocket.
What do you think of that tor an en-
gageuent ring:
"A fine diamond said l 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. 1t might have
been sooner If hadn't undertaken that
business in France for our firm But
| hall be sure to be back by October.
So we parted with q rrciproc ting
eoueeze Of the hand and Charley's
bright face haunted me all day with n
.ort uf rem i,Iiscence of what might have
happened to me if l hadn't been five
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 mothe--a NICE. bright eyed
little woman. the full blown rose to cor
respond with Sophy's budding lowell
lin.ss, ,-dwelt in the cosiest If apart
ments, furnished in dark blue reps, and
With canarles and geranlums IN the
windows.
1T is so kind Of you to come. said
Sophy with u gent.e pressure OF the
hand, wh+n went away. I'm so glad
to welcome Charley's friends
And l thought that could sit
through another evening OF common
! place chit chat and photograph albums
for such a 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 mvself at the
lodging house where the blue reps fig
urtd and the canaries sang in the south
windows.
supposed, naturally enough, that
all WAS going right, until one day re-.
ceived note from my old friend Bnl.
lion. the banker, man OF sixty, who
wears a wig and spectAcles, and counts
his income upon the double figures.
Bullion wrote from Brighton, where