The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-04-24
Hum! I said to mYself. lust like Bred

nun! salu 10 hySeil, just ike FRED
Dalrymple, to forgetto deliver his sisters
messages, and then invent replies to sat
isfy her questions and cover his negli-
gence.
"And do tell me something about that
baby" continued Fred's sister, "You
need not be afraid of praising it to me,
for you know we ladies always take live
ly interestin babies 90
81 would gladly crafty you if it were
possible" /" | replied; "but to tell the truth
| seldom take much notice of the baby
race"
AS if I should believe you in this par
ticular instance" returned my interlocu-
tor; "why, somebody told Bred that you
were up all night ON purpose to ses how
cunning this wonderful baby looks asleep
"Me!" 1 exclaimed in horror.
"No! You need not deny it, said she,
81 can understand that bashfulness con-
ceals your raptures. Of course it is
named for you"
1t happened that sister Jenny's young
est had been christened Charlie in honor
of his bachelor uncle, and so l answered
that her supposition was not incorrect.
"When I see Jenny I shall feol it my
duty to tell her what heartless indiffer-
euce you have feigned in regard to that
baby, but you cannot impose upon me, ;"
said the owner of the blue veil. II shall
acquit you of possessing any of the old
bachelor nonchalance with which you
have to vail your interest
"You must not expect to manufacture
a baby worshipper out Of an old BACH" /
said jestingly.
"Oh, no; butyoung fathers are not such
sub-savages as you would try to have me
believe. !"
"Graciousl what can she mean?" was
my silent CALCULATIONS; but as she did not
seem inclined to rally me further, we fell
into quiet converse on common place
themes, very much as if VIC had been
half dozen years acquainted.
"We are to ride all night" I said final
ly, "and ought not to secure berth for
you in the sleeping car? | notice that
you seem very much fatigued."
81 am weary, but l detest those sleep
ing cars"
$50 do | the same" was my hearty re-
joinder.
"Really and truly?' she asked with
some incredulity. 81 fancied that | ought
to take one on your account, to release
you from the penance of sitting up in
these bard seats all night
''But it would be great pleasure to
me, if you could be as comfortable, to.
have you accept my shawl, and my arm
for pillow, and make yourself cosy for
the night
"Do you think that Jenny will not OBJ
ject to my accepting such service Of
your" she asked sweetiy.
"Certainly Jenny will not object" l
assured her, and | would gladly have ad-
ded that Jenny would not object on some
fair, future day, to be presented with a
sister-in law wearing blue veil, but l
hardly dared to hazard the suggestion
while our acquaintance was still of SO re-
cent a date.
She took off her bonnet--a dainty bit
of millinery-which | regarded with a
species Of silent awe, and scarcely ven
tured to put up in the rack above U.S.
Then the blue veil was tied closely over
her curls, and resting her head upon my
shoulder, the beauty was soon asleep.
But I, Charlie Chester, could not sleep
too many visions were haunting me.
Was this really Fred Dalrymple's Liz
zie? Would I ever see her again after
this journey was ended? And o, most
desperate aud enticing speculation of all,
could | ever hope to take to myself the
lifelong burden of Looking out for Liz
zie in blue veil?"
The night sped past in these delicious
reveries. When we were within few
miles of Cleveland my fair charge aWoke.
"Do you feel rested?" | inquired
aOh, very much. You are exceedingly
kind to take such care of me. Fred told
me that Jenny's husband would be most
desirable escort, but find that he scarce
| ly told ME half the truth"
! Jenny's husbandl 1t struck me dumb.
So I was Jenny's husband, was |?
"Neither shall believe, after your
gentleness aud attention to me, that you
can be as Indifferent to your baby as you
would try to have me think
"Your baby!'
The woman was adding insult to inju-
ry. First wife, ,an6 then baby bestow-
ed on me, at five minutes notice, as il
they were the most every day affair in the
world.
81 think we must be near Cleveland, y
continued my companion, arranging hel
tangled curls, and putting on her bonnet
I''It is possible that my husband may be al
the depot to meet me, and relieve you oi
any further trouble on my account, II
he is not there, | shall only ask you tc
put me in coach and send me home
unless, indeed, l can prevail upon you tc
stop over one or two trains in CLEVELAND
and visit us. My husband would be de
lighted to have you. Why will you no
consent to do sos"
1 Not Fred Dalrymple's sister after all
| muttered something in reply, know
not. what, but she took it as refusal tt
accept her hospitality, and continued:
"And if you can not and will not sta,
with us now, / want you to promise M
that you will come soon, and bring dea