The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-03-26
Behind the Veil.

nlnu Cuc newspaper anu ueNOureu HIS
eggs and toast without vouchsaing any
reply to the fresh looking little la,ly op.
positc; to wit: Mrs Edge BIT she was
gathering together her forces for the
final onslaught, and when at length Mr..
Edge had got down to the last para
graph, and laid aside the newspaper, it
came.
Dear, didn't you say you were going
to have hundred dollars for my new
furs to day ~
''What furs ?" (rather sharply was this
spoken "Oh, pshaw! What is the
use of Being s4travagant? / have no
money to lay out in useless fo!lies. The
old ones are good enough for any scnsi-
ble woman to wear"
Mrs. Edge-good, meek little soul
that she was-relapsed into obedient
silence. She only sighed, soft, inward
sigh. and presently began new attack.
Henry, will you go with me to my
aunts Tonight !"
Cant you go alone?"
"Alone! how would it look?" Mrs
F s temper-for she had one, though it
did not often parade itself-was arous-
ed. "You are so neglectful of those lit
tie attentions you used to pay me once !;
you never walk with me,or even pick up
my handkerchief, nor notice my dress as
you once did"
"Well, a fellow can't be forever wait
ing on woman, can he? ~ growlei Mr..
Edge.
"You could be polite enough TO Mrs.
Waters last night; when you never even
thought to ask whether l wanted any
thing, though you knew perfectly well
that | had q headache | dent believe
you care for me as much as yoa used
to- and Mrs. Elge looked extremely
pretty with the tears in her blue eyes,
and the quiver on her round rosy lips.
"Pshaw' said her husband, pee9ish
| ly.
"And in the stage yesterday, you new,
er asked me if / was warm enough, or
put my shawl around me, while Mr.
Brown was so affectionate to his wife -
1t was mortifying enough, Harry in
deed it was"
81 didn't know women were such
FOOLS" sail Mr.. Elge, as he drew on his
overcoat, to escape the tempest which
was fast approaching. IAN ! the sort
of man to make ninny of myself do
ing the polite to any sort of female
creature2 Did you ever know me to be
wi, ho,l n
shawl or a swallow tailed coat?'
Marie eclipsed the blue eyes behind q
little pocket handkerchief,a and Henry the
savage, banged the door loud enough to
give Betty i'll the kitchen nervous
start
"Raining again! I do believe We are
going to have second edition Of the
deluge," sai Mr.. Edge to himself that
evening, as be ensconsed his six feet OF
iniquity in the southwest corner Of the
car at City Hall. eco ahead; conduc.
tor, can't you sec we are full, and it is
dark already 7"
I'm one minute, SIR said the con luc
tor; as he helped little woman, with q
basket, on board "Now, sir,move up a
little, if you please"
Mr. Edge was exceedingly eomforta-
BILE, and did not want to move; but the
light OF the lamp falling on the pearly
forehead and shining golden hair of the
conner, he altered his mind and moved
up.
"What lovely eyes," quoth he,mental
ly,as she bestowed single acknowledg
ing smile "Red violet, the vesy color
l most admire. Bless me, what bust
ness have married men like me 70 be
thinking about eyes! There, she has
drawn confounded veil over her face,
and the light is rs dim as tallow dip
but those are pretty eyes"
The fair possessor of those blue eyes
shivered slightly. and drew her mantilla
close around her shoulders.
Are you not cold, Miss3 Pray hon.
or me by wearing my shawl. do not
need it myself"
She did not refuse-she murmured
some faint apology for ubling him,
but it was not refusal.
mo trouble-not Bit" said he. ar
ranging it Oh her tempting shoulders
and then, as the young lady handed her
fare to the conductor, he said TO him
self-"What a slender little hand! If
there is anything l admire in a woman,
it is a pretty hand Wonder what kind
of mouth she has got? II must be a
delightful one if it Corresponds With her
hair and eyes-pague take the veil!"
But Plague" whoever that mystical
power may be, did not take possession
of the veil. 50 Mr.. Edges curiosity
about the blue-eyed damsel remained un-
satisfied.
Have you room enough, Miss? l
fear you are crowded. Pray sit q little
closer to me-"
"Fhank you, sir" was the soft reply,
coming from behind the veil--as Mr.
Edge refected-like an angel from a
dark cloud: And his heart gave large
thump as the pretty shoulders touched
his own shaggy overcoat in hesitating
sort OF way
CS0to"'J eiio 10 SctthiS tutto i'ii9l-
tic" thought he, and then with an audi
bic whisper, What would Maria say Z"
The rest of that long, dreary ride was
delicious with the shoalder against his
own. How gallantly he jumped up to
pull the strap for her. By some streak
it happened to be in the very street he
intended to stop. And under the cir.
cumstances, we hardly blame him, when
the cars stopped SO suddenly that she
caught at his arm, for the squeeze he
gave the plump, rosy hand. Any mail
of sense would have done the same, it
was such an inviting little lily.
"Allow me to carry your basket, Miss,
as our path lies in the same direction y
said Mr.: Edge, courteouslv relieving her
of her burden as he spoke :" nd-and--
maybe you'll find less difficulty if voa
take my arm"
Well, wasn't it delightful. Mr.. Edee
forgot the wet streets and pitchy dark
ness; he thought he was walking on ro
scs, Only as he approached his door
!