The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-01-24

he helped little woman with basket, on
board. sNow, sir, move up o little, If you
please" !
Mr.. Edge was exceedingly comfortable,
and did not want to move W. but the light
of the lamp falling on the pearly forehead
and shining eyes, he altered his mind, and
moved up.
''What lovely eyes!" quoth he, mentally,
as he bestowed single acknowledging
smile. ''Real violetl the very color I ad
mre most. Bless me! what business has
an old married man like me thinking about
eyes; there, she has drawn confounded
veil over her face, and the light as dim as a
talow dip; but those were pretty eyesl'
The fair professor of the blue eyes shiver-
ed slightly, and drew her mantilla closer
around her shoulders.
care you cold, Miss? Pray honor me by
wearing my shawl; 1 do not need it my
SELF"
She did not refuse-she murmured some
faint apology for troubling him, but it was
not refusal.
"No trouble-not bit" said he with
alacrity, arranging it on her tapering
shoulders and then, as the young lady
handed her fare to the conductor, he said TO
himself: "What slender, lovely little hand.
If there is anything admire in q woman it
is pretty hand. Wonder. what kind of a
mouth she has got? 1t must be delightful
one if it corresponds with the hair and
eyes. Plague take the veil"
But "pague," whoever that mystical
power may be- did not take possession of
the veil, so Mr.. Edges curiosity about the
blue-eyed damsel remained unsatisfied
"Have you room enough, Miss? I fear
you are crowded. Pray sit q little closer to
me-"
| "Thank you, sir" was the soft reply COM
ing from under the veil, as Mr.. Edge rap
| &,,ro
dark cloud" And his heart gave loud
thump as the pretty shoulders touched his
own shaggy overcoat in hesitation sort of
a way.
Decidedly, this is getting quite roman
tic, " thought he, and then with an audible
whisper, "what would Maria say?"
The rest of that long, dreary ride was de-
licious with that shoulder against his own.
How gallantly he jumped up to pull the
strap for her-by some streak of fortune it
happened to be Mt the very same street
where he intended to stop. And under the
circumstances we hardly blame him, when
the cars stopped SO suddenly that she caught
at his hand for support, for the squeeze he
gave the plump, snowy palm; any man of
his sense would have done the same-it was
such an inviting little lily.
| "Allow ME to carry your basket, Miss, rs
long as our paths lie in the same direction"
said Mr.. Edge, courteousy, relieving her
of the burden as he spoke; ''and-and-
maybe you'd find less difficulty if you
would take my arm"
"Well, wasn't it delightful? Mr. Edge
forgot the wet streets and the pitchy dark
ness-he thought he was walking on roses.
Only as he approached his own door he be-
gan to feel little nervous, and wished the
little incognito wouldn't hold on so tight
Suppose Maria should be at the window
on the lookout, as she often was, how
would she interpret matters? He couldn't
make her believe he only wanted to be po-
lite to the fair traveller. Besides his sweep
ing declarations in the morning-she would
be sure to recall them.
AS he stopped Mt the right number, and
bid the blue eyes adieu, he was astonishcd
to see her run lightly up the steps to enter
likewise. Gracious Apolloi he burst in a
chilly pcrspiration at The idea Of the young
ladys error.
81 think you must have made mistake,
MISS" he stammercd, ''this can't be your
house"
But it was too late-she was already in
the brilliant-lighted hall, and turning
around, threw off her dripping habilamcnts
and made a low courtesy.
very much obliged to You for your DO
likeness, sir!'
"Why, it's my wifer' gaspcd Mr.. Edge.
"And happy to see that you have not for
gotten all your gallantry toward ladies"
pursued the merclless little puss, her blue
eyes (they were pretty all in dance with
suppressed roguery.
Edge looked from ceiling to floor, in vain
search of a loop-hole to retreat, but the
search was unavailing.
"Well." said he, in the II. ost sheepish of
tones, "it is the first time 1 ever was so po-
lite to n lady in the cars, and hang me if it
shan't be the last"
"You see, DEAR" said the ecstatic little
lady, ~ didn't expect to be delayed so long,
and hadn't any idea should meet with such