The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1869-02-03
THE FAMILY.
"what a Pretty Little Hand.'


lam not bashful man. Generally speak
ing, am fully as confident and forward as
most of my sex. Yet there was one period
of my life when all my merits seemed to my
own eyes insignificant, and-I felt modest,
not tn say bashiul. 1t was when was in
love- Then I sometimes did not know where
to put nay hands and feet. Did mention
that in said hands and feet consists my
greatest beauty? They are both small.
A short time ago fell in love. Idia not
walk into it quietly, weighing my idols per
fections against her defects. fell in, head
and ears, two seconds after first met her.
She was a glorious creature, with long,
brown hair floating over snowy neck and
shoulders, and falling down on the waist of
an enchanting silk dress Her dark brown
eyes were full Of saucy light-yet oh /! how
tender and loving they could look. This l
found out later i7 ',a
Of provoking, tantallzing coquettes
that ever teased the heart out OF a poor man,
Susy Arnold was the most bewitching. l
would pass an evening with her, and then
go home, certain that one more interview
with lcT would make me the happiest of
men; hut the next time met her, cool nod
and an indignant glance threw down all my
castles. She was very cautious
One evening while there was seized with
violent headache. told her I was subject
to such attacks, and the pretty creature, put
ing on agrave face, gave me lecture ON the
subject of health, winding up with
"The best thing you can do is to get
wife to take care of you, and to keep you
from study. 1 advise you to do tiff you
can get any body to have you."
"Indeed,n said, rather piqued. there
are only too many. refrain from selection
for fear Of breaking other hearts. How fond
all the ladies are of me, to be surem Iadd-
ed conceitedly, ss'though l can't see that l
am particularly fascinating"
Neither can In added Susy, with an air
perfect simplicity.
"Can'tyou 2" said l. "Ihoped-hoped
~ OIL that dreadtully attractive face of
hers. "That is, Miss Susy, thought, per-
haps-Oh! my head, my head !" and buried
my face in the cushion.
"Docs it ache so very badly p she asked
tenderlssas sheput her cool. little hand in
among MY curls. felt the thrill her fingers
gave me through my whole system.
My head being really very painful, was
obliged 10 leave; but all the way home the
soft, cool touch ofthose little fingers fingered
upon my brow.
Soon after this it became necessary for ME
to leavesthe city on business An offer of a
partnersliipin the office of lawyer friend of
mine made me decide to extend my trip and
see how1the "land lay"
One thing was certain could not leave
home for months, perhaps years, without
some answer from Susy. Dressed in nv
most fatitless costume Git was the only suit
possessed) and full of hope went to Miss
Susy's lf,use.e She was in the parlor at the
piano. alone She nodded gaily as / came
in, but continued her song. 1t was "rve
something sweet to tell you p
AT the words Hove you, I adore you p
she gave me sucliia glance / was ready to
PROSTATE myself, but, sweeping back the
curls from her forehead with laughing de-
fiance. she warbed, "But I'm talking in my
Sleep" ITO 7D' n'i'A;t y 'a
"Then,nI cried, you love me when you
sleep! May think so 2n
Oh, yes, if you choose; for dreams 60
by contraries, you KNOW"
sat down beside her. We chatted away
for time. AS last 1 began:
Miss Susy, Icame up this evening to
leil you ludt IL
How she was listening A bright thought
struck me. would tell her of my journey,
and in theemotion she was certain to betray.
it would be easy to declare my love.
Miss, Susy,n said, "Iam going to New
York to-lnerrow."r a..
Going away o.
Yes, for some months"
Dear me, how distressing |, Just stop at
Gauches as you go home and order me some
extra pocket handkerchiefs for this melan-
choly occasion, win your ..-.. +
You, do not seem to require them" I
said, rather piqued Il shall stay some
months. - - 7. =
swell, ,write'to. ny ma, won't you9 And
ifyou get married, or die, or anything, let
us know: .,.t,.,.- -.
II have an offer to be partner in law.
office" said, determined to try her, "and il
1accept,.it, as have some thought of doing
I shall never, return"
Her face did not, change. Her old, saucy
look was there as Ispoke; but noticed thai
one little hand closed convulsively ovel
her watch chain, and that the other fell up.
on the keys, making, for the first time, dis
cord. .soI-, - -
"Goingsaway forever ~ she said with {
sad tone that made my heart throb.
/" Miss Susy, I hoped, you, at least, would
miss me and sorrow in my absence"
"I?" .s'--.
eyes, it might change all mJ plans if m,
absence would grieye you"
"Change all your plans2" .c-,.
'Yes, hoped-thought-"
Oh that earnest, grave face My cheek
burned, my hands and feet seemed to swell
and 1 felt cold chills all over me. l coult
not &C ON. 1 broke down for third time.
There~as an awkward silence GLANCED
at Susy: Hereyes were resting on my hand
which lsyen the arm of the sofa. The con
trast between the black horse hair and th
flesh seemed to strike her.
"Whatapfetty little hand" she said.
A brilliant. idea passed through my brain
"Yod may have it if you will" said, Of
fering t5sm1Iis -sb1G ,GiEaai0 -i.ae
She tookiit between her own, and, toyin.
with the fingers said: ,..,
"MayT2" W. 5sortir. i.aa--..