Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-01-27

mouth she has got 1t must be a
delightful Que if it corresponds will
the hair and cyes-plague take the
veil"
But "plague" whoever that mys-
teal power may be, did not take
possession of the veil, so Mr.. Elge's
curiosity about the bluc,eyed dam
sci remained unsatisticd.
"lIavc you room enough, Miss ?
fear you are crowded. Pray sit a
little closer to me-"
"Thank you, sir" was the soft re-
ply coming from behind the veil, as
Mr.. Edge rehcctcd-like an angel
from dark cloud. Aud his heart
gave a large thump as the pretty
shoulder touched his own shaggy
overcoat in a hesitating sort of a
way.
"Dccidcdly, this is getting quite
romantic" thought he, and then with
an audible whisper, "what would
Maria say?"
The rest of that long dreary ride
was delicious, with the shoulder
against his own. How gallantly he
jumped up to pull the strap for her
by some streak it happened to be
at the very street where lie intended
to stop. And under the circumstan-
ces we hardly blame, when the car
stopped SO suddenly that she caught
at his arm, for the squeeze he gave
the plump rosy hand-any man of
sense would have done the samc-it
was such an inviting little lilly.
"Allow me to carry your basket,
Miss, as our paths lie in the same
direction" said Mr.. Edge, courte-
ously, relieving her of her burden as
he spoke; " and-and-may be
you'd find less difficulty ifyou take
my arm."
We'll, wasn't it delightful? Mr..
Edge forgot the wet streets and
pitchy darkness-he thought he was
walking on roses. Only as he ap-
preached his door he began to feel a
little nervous, and wished the little
incognito would not hold on so tight.
Suppose Maria should be at the win
dow on the lookout, as she often was,
how would she interpret matters :?
He could not make her believe that
he only wanted to be polite to the
fair traveller. Besides his sweeping
declarations in the morning-shc
would be sure to recall them. AS
he stepped in front of the right num-
Der. and babe her adieu, he was as
tonished to see her likewise run up
the steps to enter. Gracious Apol-
10 he burst into a cold persriration
at the idea of the young lady's error.
"I think you must have made a
mistake, Miss" he stammercd; "this
can't be your house"
But it was too latc-she was already
in the brilliantly lighted hall, and
turning around threw off her drip
ping habilimcnts, and made a low
curtsey.
"Why, it's my wifc!' gasped Mr..
Edge.
"And happy to sec that You have
not forgotten all your gallantry to-
ward us ladies'" pursued the merci-
less little puss, her blue eyes (they
were pretty all in dance of sup
pressed roguery.
Edge looking from ceiling to floor
in vain search for a loophole to re-
treat, but the search was unavailing.
"Well," he said in the most sheep.
ish of tones. "it's the first time I
was ever polite to lady in the cars,
and hang me if it shan't be the
last"
"You see, my DEAR" said the ecs-
tatic little lady, I did't expect to be
delayed so long, and had not any
idea I should meet with such atten.
ton in the cars, and that from my
husband, too! Goodness gracious,
how Aunt Priscilla will enjoy the
joke"
eff you tell that old harpy I will
never hear the last of it," said Edge
in desperation.
"Very probable" was the pro-
voking reply of his wife.
Now, look here darling" said
Mr.. Edge, coaxingly, "you won't
say anything, will you? A fellow
don't want to be laughed at 10y all
the world. | say, Maria, you shal!
have the prettiest furs in New York
if YOU will only keep quiet-you
shall, upon my honor"
The terms were satisfactory, and
Maria capitulated-who wouldn't
And that is the way she got those
splendid furs that filled tho hearts of
all her female friends with envy.
Aud perhaps it was what made Mr..
Edge such a courteous husband ever
since.
rr-ren A hill NOW hnf.,r,. tho Tl1;n