Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1860-07-26
BLUE EYES BEHIND A VEIL.

BLUE EYES BEHIND A VEIL.
Mr.. Edge was late at break ast-that WAS not
an unusual occuTrence-and he was a little dis
posed to be cross--which was likewise nothing
new. So he retired behind his newspaper, and
devourcd his eggs and toast without YOU ;hsafng
any reply, save unsocial monosylables, to the
gentle remarks of the fresh looking little lady
opposte--to wit: Mrs. Edge. But she was
gathering together for the grand final onslaught
and when at length Mr.. Edge, had got down to
the last paragraph, and laid aside the reading
sheet. it came.
Dear. didn't you say yon were going to leave
me a hundred dollars for my furs to-day"
"What furs? ?" (Rathcr shortly it was
spollen)
"Those new sable, dear; my old affairs are get
tias shoclingy shabby,and really think you
ooh pshaw what's the use of being so extra
VACANT? haven't any money just now to lay
out in useless follies. The old furs are good
enough for any sensible woman to wear"
Mrs. Edge, good, meek, little soul that she
was, relapsed into obeilient silence she only
sighed a soft, inward sigh, and presently began
on new tack
Henry, will you go with me to my aunts
to-night?"
''Can't.you 90 alone? ?"
"Alone! How would it look ?" Mrs. Edges
temper-ftg she had one, though it didn't often
parade itself-was fairly reused. "You are so
negectful of those little attentions you used to
pay me once-you never walk with me, nor
pick up my handkerchief, nor notice my dress,
as SOU once did
''Wel, a fellow can't be forever waiting upon
the women, can he p growled Mr.. Edge.
':You could be polite enough to Miss Waters,
mir ~
if wanted anything, though you kney14erfect-
ly we'll had headache. l don't believe you
care SO much as you used to-"
And Mrs. Edge, looked extremely pretty with
tears in her blue eyes and culver on the round
rosy lips.
"Pshaw!' said the husband, peevishly. "Now
don't be silly, Maria"
"And in the stage yesterday, you never asked
me if was warm enough, Or put my shawl on
me once, while Mr.. Brown, was so attentive to
his wife. The contrast was very notifying to
me, Henry-it was indeed"
Il didn't know women were such FOOLS" said
Mr.. Edge, sternly, as he drew on his overcoat
to escape the tempest which he saw rapidly
impending.
cam the sort of man to make ninny out
of myself doing the polite to any female creature
Did you ever know me to be conscious as to
whether a woman had on a shawl or swallow
tailed coat ?"
Maria eclipsed the blue eyes behind a little
pocket handkerchief, and Henry, the savage,
banged the door loud enough to give Betty, in
the kitchen, nervous start.
- s(s4. :s-4.s4ss... ........:..s
Mr.. Edge to himself that evening as he esconced
his six feet of inquity in the southwest corner
of a car at the City Hall. $50 ahead, conduc-
tor can't you? What are you waiting for p
Don't you see we're full, and it's dark already ?"
s'In one minute, SIR said the conductor, as
he helped little woman with basket on board
''Now sir, move up bit if you please"
Mr.. Edge was exceedingly com mfortable, did
not want to move up. but the light of the lamp,
just ignited, falling full on the pearly forehead
and shining golden hair of the new conner, he
altered his mind and he did move up.
"What lovely eyes!' quoth he mentally, as
he bestowed single acknowledging smile
'Real violet blue the very color admire
most. Bless me! what business has an old
married man like me thinking about eyes what
would Maria say, the jealous little mink =? There
she's drawn confounded veil over her face,
and the light is as dim as tallow, but those
were pretty eyes'
The fair possessor of the blue eyes shivered
slightly, and she drew her mantilla closer around
her shoulders.
care you cold, Miss? Pray, honor me by
wearing my shawl l. don't need it all my
SELF
She did not refuse-she murnured some
faint apology for troubling him, but it was not
a refusal.
"No trouble-not bit p said he, with alacri-
ty, arranging it Oh the taper shoulders and
then as the young lady handed her fare to the
conductor, he said to himself, what slender,
lovely little hand ! IF there's anything l ad-
mire in a woman, it's a pretty hand Wonder
what kind of a mouth she's got? 1t must be
delightful, if it corresponds with the hair and
eyes. Plague take that veil ?
But "Plague," whoever that mystical power
may be, did not take possession of the provok-
ing veil, so Mr.. Edges curiosity about the mouth
of the blue-eyed damse remained ungratified
"Have you room enough Miss I? l fear you
are crowded. Pray, sit little closer to me-
''Thank you, sir, was the reply, coming from
behind the veil, as Mr.. Edge, rapturously re-
fected, ''like an angel from the gloom of dark
cloud" And his heart gave loud thump, as
the pretty shoulder touched his own shaggy over
coat in nesting sort of way.
Decidedly, this is getting rather romantic, .
thought he; and then, how CALAMITY he jumped
up to pull the strap for her-by some favoring
freak of fortune it happened to be at the very
street where he intended to stop. And under
all circumstances, we can hardly blame him
when the car stopped so suddenly that she
caught instinctively at his hand for support, fol
the squeeze he gave the plump, snowy palm
Any man in his senses would have done the
same-it was such an inviting little lily
Out into this rain and darkness our two pill
grims sailed, scarcely more than able to steer
their course by the glimmerng reflection of the
street lamp on the streaming pavements.
"Allow me to carry your basket, Miss, as
long as our paths lie in the same direction" said
Mr.. Edge, courteously, relieving her of her bur-
den as he spoke. "And-and may be you'd
find less difficulty in walking if you'd just take
my arm !"
Well, wasn't it delightful Mr. Edge, forgot
the wet streets and the ptchy darkness, too-he
thought he was walking on roses! Only, as he
approached his own door, he began to feel little
nervous, and wish that the incognito wouldn't
hold on quite so tight. Suppose Maria should
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