The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-04-24
Z III E BL u E v ELL.
BY S. S. G. T.

n uolldI duu tHtHIy-ceutS, H4r, anu
sign your name in the book, sir, If you
please" said the boy from the telegraph
Office.
"a dollar and twenty cents-sign my
name in the book repeated stupidity,
shut this telegram isn't for me-
"Yes, sirl 1t is sent to Mr.. Charles
Chester, at the Lakeville House, Lake
vile, N. Y. There is no other Mr.. Ches-
ter in I.akeville, and you always board
here, SO it must be you, sir, all right
The telegram just come, and it was so near
six, they sent me round with it in hur-
ry. 1t has been delayed somewhere in
coming to New York, but the fault wasn't
at our Office"
Lizzie-could it be Lizzie Clare, or was
it one of Mrs. Stowell's handsome daugh-
ters? There was no time for me to idle
in surmising which Lizzie I was to meet.
| paid the boy, snapped the lock of my
patent valise, and drove harriedly to the
depot, duly to tlook out for Lizzie" and
take the nigh. train West. The New
York Express had already arrived, and
the iron horse was snorting his impatience
to be of. Passengers were crowding into
the cars, but where was Lizzie?
At length, near the door of the ladies
room, looking uneasily around her, I
espied lady wearing the identical blue
veil.
"Is this the Lizzie whom I am to
meet?" I ventured to ask, groaning in
spirit at the ignorance in which I had
been left regarding any other cognomen.
20, yes, and this must be Mr. Chester,
I suppose. You knew me by my blue
veil, did you not? Fred said that would
be sufficient signal. You are very kind
to take charge of me- I was fearful you
would find the care of lady great bur-
den on a night journey; but Fred insisted
that you would not mind it, if you took
the trouble for him; SO here I am, as you
perceive. Are not the cars just about
starting?"
II have time to see to your baggage"
| managed to say.
"Oh. thank you, but Fred checked it
through, and bought my ticket. 1t is all
right"
Il knew it was all wrong, but what
bachelor of two and thirty would decline
to escort charming Lizzie in blue veil,
thus mysteriously committed to his pro-
tection2
We had just minute and a half in
which to secure our seats ere the western
train was of, and my companion uttered
a very contented little murmur of salts
faction as we slowly steamed out of the
depot.
"0h, was so fearful that you would
not be here to meet me, Mr.. Chester. and
I dreaded to undertake the journey
alone"
as it a long journey?" with some faint
hope that I might tempt her into a men
tion of her destination.
every long, she answered demurely.
But call from the conductor revealed the
fact that the lady was going to Cleveland.
My ticket had been purchased for Cincin-
natl, previous to the reception of that be-
wildering telegram, and l thought with
some satisfaction that I could stop in
Cleveland if | pleased without any change
of route.
As l rode along I scanned my travelling
companion as closely as | dared; but on
ly suggestion of bright eyes, ruby lips,
and dazzling complexion, reached me
through the blue VEIL
"I think we have never met until to-
day." l remarked-hazarding an. obser-
vation which might or might not prove to
be correct.
eOh, mol but have heard Fred speak
of you SO frequently that | do not feel as
lie we could be strangers long"
She smiled, aud put up her blue veil.
With the veil lifted she looked somewhat
older than l expected I had fancied she
was seventeen, but now she appeared to
be seven n-and-twenty. Yet she was SO
fair, SO dazzling white-with eyes which
matched the blue of her veil-that | for
got the question of her age, in specula-
ting the possibility of her being near
sighted. Seated by that radiant vision, |
became speedily conscious of my rough
coat and shabby "man of business" as
pect; and while / secretly vowed an
amendment for all ruture time, in various
particulars, l hoped that she might not
prove too observing.
This is rather sudden journey Of
mine" remarked my fair companion; my
trunk was nearly packed, and / expected
to leave next Monday and travel alone;
but when Fred heard that you we're going
to take the evening train, he telegraphed
to you Immediately, and hurried me off. =
"Ah, Fred!' thought /, "it seems to me
I have you now! It's just like the gay
Fred Dalrymple to surprise one with such
telegram, all in the dark. and this mus
be his sister Lizzie. She is going te
Cleveland to visit Robert and his wife
and, Fred hearing that was to start OF
my trip tonight, sent his sister along
under my care, without ceremony.
The mystery was explained, and, with ;
! lighter heart, | turned to the young lady
stimulated in this discovery by my pre-
vious determination to render myself des
perately agreeables
"How is your dear Jcnny?" suddenl.
inquired my companion of the blue veil
] my dear Jenny" mused I; 90, yes
sister Jane, presume she means. Ssh
is very WE'LL" replied.
I'VE have so often exchanged MESA
ges with our love, through the medium o
your correspondence with Fred, that
feel quite well acquainted with that dea
Jenny, Mr.. Chester.