Smyrna times., 1861-01-24
altered his mind and moved up.

bestowed a single acknowledg cement smile.
Real violet blue! the very color | admire
most. Bless me what business has an old
married man like me thinking obout eyes =
What would Maria say, the jealous little
mink There-shes drawn a conioundcd veil
over her face, and the light is as dim as a tai.
low, but those were pretty eyes
The fair possessOr of the blue eyes shivered
slightly, and drew her mantllla closer around
! her shoulders
Are you cold, Miss! Pray honor me by
wearing my shawl. don't need it all myself.
She did not retuss-she murmured some faint
apology for troubling him, but it was not re-
| tusal.
| No trouble--not bit, said he. with aIacrity,
arranging it on the taper shoulders; and then
as the young lady handed her fare to the con.
ductor, be said to himself what slender,
lovely hand! If there's anything admire in
a woman, IFS pretty hand Wonder what
KIND OF mouth she's got 1t must be deli eht-
ful, II II corresponds with the hair and eyes,
Plague take that veil!
But Plague" whatever that mystical pow
er may be, did take possession of the provoking
veil, so MIR. Edgar's curiosity about the mouth
OF the blue-eycd damsel remained ungratfed
Have you room enough, Miss! fear you
are crowded. Pruy sit little closer to me.
Thank you, cir, was the reply, AID his heart
gave loud thump, as the pretty shoulder
touched his own shaggy oVerc0at in Nesting
sort OF way.
Dccidedly, this is getting rather romantic,
thought he; aud then, how CALAMITY he ipmp.
ed up TO pull The stra p for her-by some luyor.
Ing freak Of fortune it happened to be at the
very street where he intend ed TO stop And
under ali circumstances we can ha,dy blame
hi -bo, n
she caught lns.inctively at his hand for sup
port, for Ike squeeze he gave the plump, snowy
pam Any man in his senses would have done
the same-it was such an inviting liule hly!
Out into the rain and darkness our two pll-
grims sailed, SCARCELY more than able to steer
their course by the glimmering 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..
Edgar, cour;eously relieving her of her burden
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.. Edgar for
got the wet streets aud the pItchy darkness
he thought he was walking ON roses! Only.
as he approached his own door, he began to feel
a little nervous, and wish that the incopnito
wouldn't hold on quite so tight. Suppose Ma
ria should be at the window on the lockout for
him, as she often was, how would she interpret
the matter. lie couldn't make her believe he
only wanted to be polite TO a fair traveller. Be-
sld9s his sweeping declarations of the morning
she wOnld be sure to recall them.
AS he stopped at the right number and turn
ed round TO bid the blue-eyed a regretful adicu
he was astonished to see her run lightly up the
steps TO enter likewise! Gracious Apollo he
burst into chilly pcrspiration at the idea of
Maria horror
think you made mistake, Miss, staInmered
he, this can't be your home!
Bat it was TOO late-she was already in the
brilliantly lighted hall, and turning round
threw low courtesy.
Very much Obliged to you for your poiteness
sir
Why, tits my Dife!
And happy to see that you haven't forgot all
your gallantry towards the ladies, pursued the
merciless little puss, her blue eyes Obey were
Pretty) all in dance with suppressed rogue
ry.
Edgar looked from the ceiling to the floor, in
vain searched tor loop hole of retreat; but
the search was unavalling.
Well. said he, in the most sheepish Of all
tones, it's the first time ever was polite To a
woman 10 the cars, and hang me if it shan't be
the last. ... a-
You see, dear, SAID the ecstatic little lady,
was somewhat belated-didn'l expect to be de.
layed so long, and hadn't any idea should
meet with so much attention in the cars, and
from my own husband, too! Goodness gra.
cIous, how aunt Priscilla will enjoy the Joke!
If you tell that old harpy, said Edgar, in AN
accent of desperation, never shall hear the
last Of it.
Very probably, said Maria, provokingly.
Now look here, darling, said Edgar. coaxing-
". you wont say anything, will you? A fell
low don't want to be laughed at by all the
world say Maria, you shall have the pref
test furs in New York if you'll Only keep
quiet--you shall on my honor.
The. terms were satisfactory, and Maria ca
Pitulnted-who wouldn't! And that is the
way she got those splendid furs, that filled the
hearts Of all female friends with envy; and
perhaps it was what made Mr.. Edgar such
scruPulously courteous husband ever after