THE LAST DOLLAR.

CHAPTER I.

"AND So-and so, dearest Emily, you have at last said the fatal 'yes,'—and you really intend to be Mrs. William Lauder ?" said the lively and lovely Sophia Enfield, to her cousin Emily; as Mr. Enfield, the father of the latter young lady, left them together. It was nearly one o'clock, and he had business to transact on 'Change.

"It is so, indeed, dear cousin. My dear father! It has made him so happy-Oh! Sophia-" "Oh, Emily! For pity's sake, child, don't look so provokingly happy. I shall really grow envious, and sigh for a swain myself."

"You have no occasion to sigh long, ma chere. We all know that there are one-two-threefour young gentlemen—”

"Oh, lud! To have my beaux counted on a lady's fingers! But, Emily, I am afraid I have a very hard heart-or that I was born without the

faculty of loving-or that I am doomed never to see the being upon whom I could bestow my affections. Nay, pray don't laugh-I am serious -quite serious. Do you know, I have wept more than once, to think that I should be so cold, so ungrateful-as not to be able to-to-(what are the terms, love?) to reciprocate—that is it-to reciprocate-"

"Ha, ha, ha! Forgive me for spoiling your pretty speech: but the fact is, Sophy, you are too particular."

"Too particular! Can any girl of sense be too particular, my dear, in making her choice of a husband-or too cautious, in deciding upon a matter of such tremendous importance as matrimony?"

"Oh, certainly not. You see what a long time I have been, in making up my mind as to poor William-"

dearest, William Won't you

"Poor William! Well, I must say, that I do think you have chosen wisely. Lauder is a good-a noble creature. give me a kiss for that, Emmy ?" "Ay, a thousand, dearest !"

"There-that will do;-you owe me nine hundred and ninety-nine-I shall make an entry of the debt in the first page of my album. At present, you know, you should reserve all the stock you have on hand-for a certain person."

"Saucy girl! But, look out of doors! What a beautiful day, Sophia! See, what a lovely skyand how delightfully pleasant our dear Common looks!"

Yes, it is, indeed, a sweet spot; and I marvel much, that it is altogether deserted by our ladies. It does not say much for their taste, to prefer Washington Street to yonder beautiful walk. By the way, Emily dear, who is that young gentleman, leaning against the rails opposite? I met him yesterday, and again to-day, in my way to your house."

"I don't know-I have no recollection of ever having seen him before. He is a stranger, doubtless."

"He is a very happy-looking person. As I passed him, he was talking to himself;-and then, as if his tongue had said something that was particularly pleasant to his ears, he began to laugh extravagantly!"

"Perhaps, he is mad, poor creature!"

"I am sure he don't look like a madman. See, what an intellectual countenance! But come away from the window, he will see us

"Ha! I declare he is soliloquizing again. Look, Sophy-there's a graceful wave of the hand. have hit it—he is an actor, studying his part. Perhaps, Mr. Wallack, himself,"

“Oh, no.

I saw Mr. Wallack at the party the

other night. Lud! he is laughing again-ha, ha, ha! And now he has sat down on the grass; how odd!"

"That confirms me in my opinion;-he must be a comedian."

"Well, I would give something to know, who and what he is? You need not look so hard at me, Emily; as if I had said something very strange. The day has long gone by for damsels to fall in love at first sight,-especially with unknown cavaliers. But, I like odd people, and this young man must, I am sure, be eminently odd !"

"You are a very odd-dear-charming girl. But come with me to the piano, and I will sing you, ' My ain kind dearie O,'—or Wandering Willie,'—or 'My heart with love is beating."

cllection

"You can feel the force of the second line now, Emily? Alas! there's no retreating !'—ba, ha! Come along-come along."