Why she Accepted him.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1581, 18 March 1887, Page 3

Why she Accepted him.

It was the last evening of the dying year, And the beautiful Sophronia Suggs walked slowly back and forth before her plate-glass, gilt-framed mirror, in the elegant drawing-room of her sumptuous home. Sophronia Suggs, like the year, was dyingdying to know who and how many of hir.f dmirers would call to gaze upon her loveliness, heightened as it was by all that her papa's wealth could afford, and all that the costumier's, the hairdresser's and the painter's art could give. Hark ! What is that ? It is the bell. It is the ring of Henry Hawkesworthy. Sopohronia knew it well. Henry Hawkesworthy thought to pull only 1 he inert matter vulgarly called a bell, bnt be did more: be pulled at Sophronia Suggs's heart-strings. Therefore Sophronia gazed into her mirrcr to see that her Montagues, waterwavea, frizzes et a/., were in becoming order. Then she sac herself down betide the ormolu centre-table, and was at once absorbed in the thrilling pages of Huxley. It were impossible to guess how long Henry Hawkesworthy might have stood gazirg at the lovely Sophronia, ail unconscious of his presence, had it not so chanced that Henry, who was suffering from acute cold, suddenly sneezed. Sophronia looked up and smiled. Henry had smiled before be came in. 41 Prithee," spake the fair damsel, "why comest thou hither, brave gentleman? Methinks thou art too larish of thy company. It was but yesternight, or I mistake me, that thou wert in this selfsame apartment." Exclaimed Henry, interrupting:— "Fair maiden, it is indeed as thou saytet. But know the reason thereof. 1 am in love. M With whom ?" "Canst ask i:: Didst not hear me?"

u I didst" At this Henry knelt himself down at the feet of the fair damsel, first taking the precaution to spread his pockethanderchief on the carpet. " I am thine to command," he remarked, after he had got himself into proper poiition for the tableau. " Thou lovtet me not," said Sophronia. " By my troth, fair lady, but I dost," argued Henry. ■ Put me but to the proof, if thou doubtest." "That I will, and at once ".replied Sopbronia. " Hearken, sir; this lis the deathday of the spert year. How wilt thou make thyself worthy of one whose papa holds a seat in the Commons ?" " I will smoke no more I" M Have a care, sir." " Nay, but I swear it." " Tis enough ! Begone ! Thou hast pronounced thine own dismissal!" And Sophronio was gone ! gone ! gone! M By my halidam !" cried Henry, riling and shaking, the dust from bis handkerchief, " here's a go !" Then he walked hcstilr out of the room, out of the front door, out into the night. Then Sophronia came back into the room again, when another ring at the door-bell aroused her in time to see James Sbortjohn by her side. 14 Tbou att come to tell me that thou lovest me !" she said, anticipating him

" Thou sayest truly," James replied. " How mayest I know thou sreakeft from thine heart ?" queried Sophronia. '* By this," answered James. "It is the last day of the year. To-morrow morn finds me a slave to tobacco no more. I smoke no more for ever. I have sworn ft!" M Ha! Ha!" laughed Sophronia. u Thou donble-pated knave. Thou comest to mock me; but hence!'' James took this as a hint to go, and he went. Next came Thfodore Batt!eb:e. Theodore got on famously till he ■poke of love. " Prove it, sirrah !" exclaimed the irrepressible Sophronia. " Tbouknowest," he beran, "that—" "I know it ail," said Sophronia, interrupting him. " Thou wouldet say that thou smokest V "Iwouldst." "That thou smokest no mor.: ?" " I have sworn it." "Thou wilt find the door open, lirrah. Hence T And Theodore was also sent about his business. And yet a fourih time did the doorbell jingle. Samuel Swansdown entered. Samuel was about to declare his love. Indeed he wra come for that purpose; but Sophronia stopped him. y~- *• Dost smoke ?" sheared. " I dost," murmured Samuel. '* And bast thou sworn to abandon itf

- 1 hast not." '• Hast not sworn it r" "Nay." " And thou love»t ire r' 1 "Idcst," ■ Thou art accepted. Thou needeet not speak to p pa He will not thwart idt dearest wis'." ' ♦ • * * These ttars ind'eate wh*r« talked it over. As Samuel wpb about to depart, Sophrocia said, looking ...to hii happy face:— " Sammy, I hate smoking, but there if one thing I hate worse. Henry

has sworn never to smoke more, and I have discarded him. James swearcst never more to Bmoke, and he has pone hence disgruntled. Theodore has plighted his troth henceforth to forego smoking, and he is gone. Thou hast promised naught, and are accepted, and for why ?" " Why is't dearest ?" softly whispered Samuel. "Bpcause I hate people to make New-Year promises and resolves, which they keep for three days only." And then the two fond creatures kiswd each other a " Happy NewYear" kiss.