Arizona republican., 1893-04-29
SOPHY WAS TRUE.
h1r. Mortlmore 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 a sudden the keel of my boat coming sharply in contact with somebody's oars. wr".. .....
 ''IIello, youl" cried out clear, in- Cisive young voice. "Where are you going? Why don't you look which way you are steering7v z .E'# .
 Charley Dresden!' cried out I, little beeding the torrents of obloquy he was beginning to heap upon me.
 .'Old Mortimorel" he responded joy ously. ''Why, who on earth would have thought of finding you dreaming on the Thamesp Here! Come into my boat Hitch on your old craft behind; and let me introduce you to Miss Sophy Adrinnce."
 looked as sharply at Miss Sophy as the moonlight and my own modesty would let me, for l knew that she was the especial admiration of my friend, Charley Drcsdon. had heard her blue eyes and peach-blossom checks raved about until even my much-enduring patience had failed.
 She was pretty, slight, round and rosy, with china-blue eyes, dimple in either check and golden brown hair worn in long, loose curls, with none of the fashionable abominations of crimps, frizzes and artificial braids about her.
 Hardened old bachelor though was, tclt as if I could have fallen in love with her on thn spot if hadn't known So well that Charley had the first inn Ing.
 We rowed home together, or at least ss Tar on our way home aS the Thames would take us. Sophy sung little boat ballads Charley roarcd out tenor barcarolles. even csSayed Ger man student song, which learned at ilcidelburg nobody knows how long ago. md we parted the best of friends.
 week afterward Dresden and I met face to fnce in St James street.
 "IIallo, Mortimorey' said Charley, his honest yisago lighting up What Go you think of her?"
 'I think she is pearl-a jewel-a princess among womenl" l answered with perfect sincerity.
 Congratulate mo, thenm cried Char ley, beaming all over, "for l am en- gagged to her. Only last night! Look here" 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 l, 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. Ut might have been sooner if hadn't under taken that business in Franco for our firm. But shall be sure to be back by October"
 So we parted with reciprocating squeeze of the hand, and Charlcy's bright face haunted mo all day with u sort of remiuiscence of what might have happened to me if hadn't been fve-and-forty, with a bald spot on the back of my head.
 l spent an evening with her after ward at the West end house, where she and her mothcr--a nice, bright-cycd little woman, the full-blown rose to correspond with Sophy's budding love- l,ncss--dwclt in the cosicst of apart. mcnts, furnished in dark blue rcDs, and with canaries and geraniums in the windows.
 'lt is so kind of you to come," said Sol hy, with a gentle pressure of the hand, when l went away. "lm so glad to welcome Charlcy's fricpds."
 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, snd, 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 and tho canaries sang in the south windows
 l supposed, naturally enough, that al was going right, until ono day re- ccivcd note from my old friend Bull hon. the banker, a man of sixty, who wears a wig and spectacles, and counts hl5 income upon the double figures
 Bullion wrote from Brighton, where Lc Lad gone because he didn't know what else to do with himself in the dGil season. He asked me to be his best man. Bullion was going to be married!
 "Of course you'll think it q foolish thing for me to do," wrote Bullion: "cven at sixty man has not entirely c'tlivcd the age of sentiment: and when once you sec Sophy Adriance you will forgive any seeming inconsistency ul my part" 'Sophy Adriance" Was this the way toor Charley's fancec was serving him Slilc he was across the channel, try. fng to earn little money for her sake? My heart rebellcd against the iickle- pcSs of woman.
 twent straight to the pretty West