New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-05-28
BLUE EYES BEHIND 4 VEIL,


Mr. Edge was late at breakfast that was not an
unusual occurrence-~and he was little disposed
I'd be cross which was likewise nothing new--so
he retired behind his newspaper and devoured his
eggs and toast without vouchsafing any reply save
unsocial monosyllables 10 the gentle remarks of
the freshslookng little lady opposite to-wit: Mrs.
Edge. But she was gathering together her forces
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 you were going to leave
me hundred dollars for my furs to-day :"
g What furs ~ (Rather shortly it was spoken.)
These new sables, dear; my old affairs are
getting shockingly shabby, and really think"
g Oh, pshaw what's the use of being so extrav-
agants hay'nt any money Just now TO lay out
in useless f0les. Tho old furs are good enough Tor
any sensible woman to wear
Mrs. Edge-good meek little soul that she WAS
relapsed into obedient silence; she only signed
soft, inward sigh, and presently began on new
tack.
Henry, will you go with me to my aunt's to-
night? ~
Z Can't You go alone T.
nAIone! How would it ook2n Mrs. Edges
temper-for she had one, though it didn't very
often parade itself-was fairly reused. You are
SO negiectful Of those little attentions you used to
nav me-you mover walk with me, nor pick up my
handkerchief, nor notice my dress, as you onces
sWell, fellow can't be forever waiting upon
| the women, can he, growled Mr.. Edge.
Yon could be polite enough to Miss Waters last
night when you never thought to ask me if ] want
ed anything, though you knew perfectly well had
d headache. don't believe you care SO much
for me as you used to do y
And Mrs. Edge looked extremely pretty with
tears in her blue eyes and culver on the round
rosy lips.
~ Pshaw!n said the husband peeyishly. Now
don't be silly, Maria! Y
s.And in the stage, yesterday, you never asked
me if I was warm enough, or put my shawl round
me, while Mr.. Brown was so atfectionate to his
wife! IL was notifying enough, Henry-it was
Mr.. Edge sternly, as he drew his overcoat to es-
cape the tempest which he saw rapidly impending.
Am the sort Of man to make q ninny of myself
doing the polite to any female creature? Did you
ever know me to be conscious whether woman
had o shawl on or a swallow.tailed coat ~
Maria collapsed the blue eyes behind d little
pocket handkerchief and Henry, the savage
banged the door loud enough to give Betty in the
kitchen a nervous start,
Raining again! | do believe we are going to
have q second edition of the Deluge,n said Mr.
Edge to himself that evening as he enseoneed his
six feet Of iniauity in the southwestcorner of
at the City Hall. (. Go ahead, conductor can't
your What are You waiting for? Don't you see
we're full and it's dark already?n
4 In one minute, SIR said the conductor, as he
helped little woman with a basket board.
(" Now, sir, move up a bit if you please.'i
Ia Mr.. Edge was exceedingly comfortable, didn't
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 did move up.
g What lovely eyes" quoth he mentally, as he
bestowed single acknowledging SMILE
- " Zeal violet blue! the very color admire most.
Bless me- what business has an old married man
like me thinking about eyes2 What would Maria
say the jealous little mink There, she's drawn
COMPOUNDED veil over her face and the light is as
dim as tallow dip But those were pretty eyes Y,
+ The fair possessor of the blue eyes shiyered
Stip oh nd bar ~
shoulders
Are you cold, Miss Pray honor me by wear
ing my shawl. don't need it at all MYSELF
She did not refnse-she murtnured some faint
apology for troubling him, but it was not d re-
fusal.
I. No trouble--not bit u said he with alacritv.
arranging IT On the taper shoulders; and then ID
the young lady handed her fare to the conductor.
he said 70 himself, awhat a slender. lovely little
hand II there's anything admire in d woman
its pretty hand Wonder what kind of mouth
she's got? It must be delightful if it corresponds
with her hair and eyes Plague take that veil!
be, did not take possession Of the provoking veil,
SO Mr.. Edges curiosity about the mouth Of the
blue 4, eyed darnsel remained ungratfed.
Have You room enough, Miss? / fear Won are
crowded. Pray sit q little closer to me.'i
Thank you, SIR was the soft reply, coming
from behind the veil as Mr.. Edge rapturously re.
Elected" Like IN angel from the gloom Of a dark
cloud.s And his heart gave a loud thunp al Tia
pretty shoulder touched his own shaggy ogercoat
in nesting sort of way.
Decidedly this is getting rather romantic, 7;
thought he and then, with an audible whisper,
s'Nhat would Maria say ~
The rest Of that long, dark rainy ride was deli
cious with that shoulder against his own. 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 instncvely at his hand for support for the
squeeze h. gave the plump snowy palm! Any
man in his senses would have done the sa1ne-it
was such an inviting little lily!
Out into the rain and darkness our two pilgrims
sailed scarcely more than able to steer their course
BY the glimmering reflection of the street lamps 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 burthen as
Ne l.,x, spoke "And-and-may be you'd find less
Well, wasn't it Delightfully."- Mr.. Edge forgot the
wet streets and the pitchy darkness-he thought
he was walking on roses. Only, as he approached
his own door, he began to feel little nervous.
and wish that the lovely incognito wouldn't hold
on quite so tight. Suppose Maria should be at the
window on the look out for him, as she often was,
how would she interpret matters. He couldn't
make her believe that he only wanted to be polite
to a fair traveller. Besides his sweeping declara.
tons OF the morning-she would be sure to recall
them.
As he stopped at the right number and turned
fOuna 10 Dld the Dlue-eyed regretful adieu, he
was astounded to see her run lightly up the stems
TO enter likewise. Gracious Apollo!' he burst
into chilly perspiration at the idea Of Maria's
horror.
~ think you've made a mistake, Miss, Z, STAN.
mered he, this can't be your house2s
But It was too late-she was already in the bril-.
liantly lighted hall, and turning round threw off
her dripping habiliments and made him a low
courtesy.
air., 49, posssAsas,
:" Why, it's my tcife,n gasped Edge.
-. And happy to see that you haven't forgotten
all your gaantry towards the ladies' pursued the
merciless little puss, her blue eyes (they apere
pretty all in dance with suppressed roguery.
Edge looked from ceiling to floor, in vain search
for loop-hole of retreat but the search was una
vaiing. $40.
"Well,' said he. in the most sheepish Of all
tones, " it's the first time ever acds polite TO a
woman IN the cars, and hang me if it shan't be
a You see, DEAR said the ecstatic little lady
:. was somewhat belated-didnit expect to be
delayed 50 long and hadn't any idea that should
meet with so much attention in the cars. and
from my own husband, too Goodness gracious. |
how aunt Priscilla will enjoy the Joke.
& you tell that old harpyi said Edge. in ae |
cents OF desperation, never shall hear the last
of it, - 's
Very probably said Maria, provokinely.
Now look here, darling,n said Mr. Edge coax. |
ngly, you won't say anything will you 7 a fell |
ow don't want to be laughed at by all the world |
say, Maria, you shall have the prettiest furs in
sew York 4 you'll only keep quiet -you shall, on