The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15
WHAT A PRETTY LITTLE HAND" )"

am not bashful man. Generally
speaking am fully as confiden: and
forward as most OF my sex. Yet there
was one period of my lite when all my
merits seemed to my own eyes insignif-
icanG and | felt modest, not to say
bashful. 1t was when | was in love-
Then | sometimes did not know where
to put my hands and feet. Did NEIL
ton that in said hands and feet consists
my greatest beauty? They are both
small.
A short time ago fell in love. did
not walk into it quietly, weighing my
idols perfcctions against her defects. 1
fell IN, head and ears, two seconds alter
l first me. her.
She wasa lorious creature, with long,
brown hair hoating 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 found out later.
OF all the provoking, tantalizing CO.
qiet:es that ever teased the heart out
of poor man, Susy Arnold was the
most bewitching. l would pass an
evening with her, and then 90 home,
certain that one more interview with
her would make me the happiest of men;
but the next time L 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
was subject 20 such attacks, and the
pretty creature, putting OIL a grave face
gave me lecture on the subject Of
health, winding up with
"Thc best thing you can do is to get q
wife to take care of you, and to keep you
from study. | advise you to do tiff
you can get any body to have YOU"
"lndeed," said, rather piqued. "there
are only too many. | refrain from Sc
lection for fear ofbreaking other hearts.
How fond all the ladies are of me, to be
sure ~ 1 added, conceitedly, "though
| can't see that am particularly fasci-
mating"
Neither can IT, added Susy, with an
air OF perfect simplicity,
Cant your" said |. ~ hoped-hop-
ed-"Oh that dreadfully attractive
face of hers. s.ThaG is Miss Susy, /
thought, perhaps-Oh my head, my
head" and | buried my face in the
cushion.
"Does it ache so very badly she ask
ed tenderly, and she put her cool little
hand in among my curls. iels the
thrill her fingers gave me through my
whole system.
My head being really very painful,
was obliged to leave; but all the way
home the soft, cool touch of those little
fingers fingered upon my brow.
Soon after this it became necessary
for me to leave the city on business. An
offer ofa partnership in the office of a
lawyer friend of mine made me decide
to extend my trip and see how the land
lay
One thing was certain-I could not
leave home for months, perhaps years,
without some answer from Susy. Dress
ed in my most faultless costume tit was
the only suit 1 possessed,) and full of
hope l went to Miss Susy's house, She
was in the parlOr, at the piano, aloAe.-
She nodded gaily as | came in, but con-
tinued her song. 1t was "Ive some-
thing sweet to .ell you !"
At the words ~ love you'll adore
you !" she gave ne such glance l was
ready to PROSTATE myself; but sweep
ing back the curls from her forehead
with laughing defiance, sne warbled,
But I'm talking in my Sleep"
"Then," l cried, "you love me when
you sleep May think SOP"
"Oh, yes. if you choose; for dreams "a
| by contraries, you know"
sat down beside her. We chatted
away for a time. At last began:
"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
certain to betray, l. would be easy to
declare my love.
"Miss Susy," said, 81 am going to
New York tomorrow.
"Going away ?"
ayes, for some months"
"Dear me, how distressing just
stop at Gauche's as you go home and
| order he some extra pocket handker-
chiefs for this melancholy occasion, will
you?"
"Yeu do not seem to require them" |
said rather plqued; 1 shall stay some
months
"Well, write to my ma, wont you?-
And if you get married, or die, or any
thing, let us know"
IL have an offer to be partner In a
law-office," | said. determined to try
her, ''and if accept it, as have some
| thoughts of doing, shalIueyer return.