Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-05-13
w. .. wALIAOH:
WHAT A PRETTY LITTLE HAND.
BY NARY Z. CLARK.

L an not baShful man. Generally sneak
ing am fully as confident and forward as
most Of my sex. dress well; dance well; sing
well; | don't tread on ladies' dresses when /
make my bow; have not the trick of coloring
10 the roots Of my hair when Lam spoken to-
Yet there was one period in my life when all
my merits seemed TO my own eyes insignificant,
and felt very modest, not to say bashfuE II
was when was in love. Then, sometimes, L
did not know where to put my hands and feet
Did mention that in the same hands and feet
consists my great beauty? They are both
small. ..t. LEI.
Three years ago fell in love- did not 90
into 1t quietly, weighing my idols projections
agsinst her defects; / fell in head and ears
Two seconds after the Introduction.
Mr.. Haynes, Miss Arnold said a mutual
friend, and lol was desperately in love. She
was fairy like figure, with long brown curls
floating over a snowy neck and shoulders, and
falling down on the waist Of an enchanting
SKY blue dress. Her large, dark blue eyes
ve-e full Of saucy light, yet, how tender and
loving they could look! This 1 found out
l3ter)
Oi all the provoking, tantslizing little CO.
qCettes that ever leased the heart of n poor
man, Susy Arnold was the most bewitehing l
wcsld pass an evening with her, and go home
certain that one more interview would make
me the happiest of men; but tho next time I
Eet her q cool nod and Indifferent glance
threw down all my castles. She was very eau
ti0Hs. Not word did she drop to make me
believe that she loved me; and yet her hand
would linger in mine, her color rose if I look
ed my feelings, and her eyes drop, to be
raised again in NON Mt, full Of laughing de-
faBce. She declared her intention to be an old
maid most emphatically, and in the next SEN
tence would add:
~ never did love, but If I should take
fancy to anybody, should love like-like
hOSse ahre." Though" she would say, care
oIv ~
ting my thoughts upon"
tried in thousand ways 10 make her be-
tray some interest in myself Propose out
right / could not. She had a way, whenever
1 tried it, Of looking in nay face with an air Of
grave attention, of profound interest, that was
equivalent in its effect to knocking me down;
1t took all the breath out Of me.
One evening, while there, l was subject to
he2 .-aches, and the gypsy, putting on a grave
face, gave me lecture on the subject of health,
winding up with
The best thing you can dois to get wife
to take care Of you, and to keep you from over
study. 1 advise You to do it if you can gel
anybody to have you
Indeed, - said, rather piqued, 'there are
only tee many. | refrain from selection for
fear Of breaking other hearts. How fond all
the ladies are Of men' / added, conceitedly
though can't see that / am particular fas-
cinatiES"
Neither can t. said susy, with an air of
perfect simplicity.
Cant ycu % said 1, al hoped-hoped-"
Oh, that dreadfully attentive face of hers.
That Is, Miss Susy, 1 thought perhaps-oh!
my head my head and l turned my face
n the cushion.
Does it ache you very badly" and she put
her cool little hands among my curls. felt
The thrill her fingers gave me all the way to
thc toes Of my boots My head being really
very painful, L was obliged to leave but all
the way home, the soft cool touch OF those lit
Il, fingers fingered upon my brow.
SOON after this it bsc dms necessary for me
20 leave the city on business An offer of
Lucrative partnership in the South, in the Office
of lawyer friend Ct mine made me decide to
extend my trip, and see how the Gland lay"
One thing was certain, could not leave home
for month. perhaps, without some answer from
Susy Dressed il my faultless costume, and
full Of hope, l went to Mr.. Arneld's. Susy
was IN the parlor, at the piano, alone. II was
I've something to tell YOU"
At the words ~ love you adore you"
she gave me such glance. 1 was ready to
PROSTATE myself; but, sweeping back the eurls
With laughing defiance, she warbled, "But I'm
talking in my sleep"
Then l cried, 'you love me when you
sleep. May think SOL"
.soh! yes, if you choose, for Rory O'More
says dreams 50 by oontraries, you know"
/ sat down beside her.
ed she hated him."
"Tes," said Susy, "that was the difference
between his case and yours" .-.
We ehatted away for time. At last be-
gan;
Miss susy, came up this evening to tell
yoU that IL"
How she was listening, A bright thought
struck me; would tell her Of my journey,
and in the emotion she was sure TO betray, it
would be easy to declare my love-
Miss Sasy," said, 81 am going South
tc-m2rrew."
She swept her hands across the keys Of the
piano into stormy polka / tried TO see her
to catch her if she tainted, or comfort her if
she Wept. I listened for the sobs fancied the
music was intended to conceal but throwing
back the curls with a sudden toss, she struck
the last chord Of the polka, and said gayly:
'iGOing away"
"Yes; for some months" go O..
Dear me, how distressing Stop at Levy's
as You 60 home, and order me some extra
Notwithstanding for this melancholy oe-
casioa, will yOu?"
You do not seem to require them" said,
rather piqued. Il shall stay some months :"
''Well, write TO pa, won't you! And if you
get married, or die, or anything let us know"
Il have an effsr to be partner in a Law
cfice in Kentucky" l said, determined to try
her, ''and if accept it, as 1 have some
thoughts Of doing, Irshsll never return"
Her face did not change. The old sauey
look WAS there as / spoke; but noticed that
one little hand closed eonyulsively over her
watch-chain, and the other fell upon the keys,
making, for the first time, discord. -
"Going away forever" she said, with sad
tone, that made my heart throb.
0Miss susy, hoped you, at least, would
miss me, and sorrow in my absences"
She opened her eyes with an expression Of
profound amaZement. .- .ssy =.
"I?n
"Yss, it might change all my plans, IL my
absence would grieye you 81 ia
Change all your plans ~ =
Eyes, hoped-thought-" +.
Oh, that earnest, grave face. Ny cheeks
harmed, nv hands and feet seemed to swell,
and felt cold chills all over me. / could not
20 on. / broke down for the third time.
There was an awkward silence. I glanced
az Su.y. Her eyes were resting on my hand,