The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-04-20
Misrellanp.
BEHIND THE VEIL.

BEHIND THE VEIL.
Mr. EDGE WAS late at breakfast. That was MT
an unusual occurrence; and he was disposed to
be eros that was likewise nothing new, SO he
deyoured his eggs and toast, and retired oenino
the newspaper without voushsafng any reply to
the fresh.looking little lady opposite, to.wit:-
Mrs Edge. But che was gathering together her
forces for the final onslaught, and when at length
Mr.. Edge had got down to the last paragraph
and la,d aside the newspaper, it came.
"Dear didr', you say you were going to nave q
hundred dollars for my new furs, today
"What furs?" ,rather sharply was this spoken)
ooh, psh,w! What 10 the use OF being extrava-
CANT? Ihsve no money to lay out in useless
follies. The old ones are good enough for any
sensible woman TO wear
Mr. Edge-good meek little soul that she wac
quietly relapsed into obedient silence. She
only sighed q soft, inward sigh, and presently
began new attack.
tHenry, will you 60 with me to my aunts to-
night 7"
'Cant you 60 alone? ?"
"Aloae! how would it iook?" Mrs. E.'s tom.
per-for che had one, though it did not often pa
rade itself-wss aroused. "You are 90 ueglsottal
Of those little attentions you used to pay me
once; you never walk with me, nor ever pick up
my handkerchief, nor notice my dress as you
once did,"
"Yos could be polite enough to Mrs. Waters
last night, when you never even thought to ask
whether wanted anything, though you knew
perfectly we'll that had headache. don't
believe you care for ne 40 you used to" and
Mrs. Edge looked extremely pretty and interest
ing with the tears in her blue eyes, and the quiv
er on her refund, rosy lips.
"Pshaw," said her husband very peevishly.
"And in the stage yesterday, you never asked
me if I was warm enough, or put my shawl
around me, while Mr.. Brown was so afectionate
to his wife. It WAS notifying enough, Harry
indeed it wss"
II didn't know women were such fools" said
Mr.. Edge. as he drew on his overcoat, to escape
the tempest which was fast approaching. "Am
the sort of a man to make ninny of myself.
doing the polite to any sort of a female creature
Did you ever know me to be conscious whether
q woman had on a shawl or a swallow.tsled
coatp"
Marie eclipsed the blue eyes behind little
pocket-handkerchief, and Harry, the savage,
banged the door loud enough to give Betty in the
kitchen nervous start
"Rsining again! do believe we going to
have a second edition of the deluge," said Mr.
Edge to himself that very same evening, as he
ensconced his six feet of inquiry in the south
west corner of the Car at City Hall. go ahead.
conductor; can't you ace We are full, and 1t is
dark alreadyY"
"In one minute, sir" said the conductor, az he
helped a little woman with a basket on board.
SNOW sir, move up little, if you please"
Mr.. Edge was exceedingly comfortable, and
did not want TO move; but the light of the lamp
falling on the peary forehead and shining gold.
en- hair of the newcomer, he altered his mind
and moved up.
"What lovely eyes" quoth he, mentally, as she
bestowed a single acknowledging smile.
"Red violet the very color I most admire.
Bless me- what busnes have married men like
me to be thinking about eyes? Where, she has
drawn contounded veil over her face and the
light is as dim as tsllow dip; but those are
pretty eyes!'
The fair possessor of those blue eyes shvered
slightly, and then drew her mantilla closely
around her shoulders
care you not cold, Mise ? Pray, honor me by
wearing my shawl do not need it myself"
She did not refuse-she murmured some faint
apology for troubling him, but it not q re.
fusal.
"No trouble--not Il bit,'-said he, arranging
it on her tempting shoulders; and then, as the
young lady handed her fare to the conductor, he
said to himself: What slender little hand !!
If there is anything admire in a woman, it il a
pretty hand. Wonder what kind of mouth abe
he's got? 1t must be delightful charming
one, II it corresponds with her hair and eyes
plague take the veil!'
But plague" whoever that mystical power
may be, did not take possession OF the veil, so
Mr.. Eigess curiosity about the blue.eyed dam.
sci remained unsatisfed.
"have you room enough, Miss? I fear you are
crowded. Pray sit little closer to me-"
"Thank you, sir" was the soft reply, coming
ike angel from dark cloud. And his heart
gave a big thump as the pretty shoulders touch
cd his Shaggy overcoat IN hesitating sort Of
way.
"Decidediy, this is getting quite romantic
thought he, and then with ali audible whisper,
"What would Marie say?'
The rest of that long, dreary ride was delicious
with the shoulder against his own. How gal.
lantly he jumped up to pull the strap for her.
By some stre.k 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 40 suddenly that ehe caught vigorously
at his srn, for the squeeze he gave the plump,
rosy hand. Any man of sense would have done
the same. it was such an inviting little lily.
''Allow IN" to carry your basket, Miss, ~ our
path lies in the same direction" said Mr.. Edge,
courteousy relieving her of her burden ~ he
spoke; land -and-may' e you'll find less ditR.
Guilty il you take my arm"
Well, wasn't it delightful! Mr.. Edge forgot
tie wet streets md pitcty darkness; he thought
he WAS walking on roses. Only as he approach.
ed his door he began to feel little nervous and
wished the little incognito would not hold on so
tight.
Suppose Marie should be at the window, on
the lookout ~ she often was, how would sh. in.
terpet matters He coudu, m Ike her believe
that he only ~"n'eh 10 be polite to the fair trav
e!er' Besides Ia. sweeping declaration 10 the
morning-she would be sur" 7" recall them.
a. he stopped at the rish, humber rnd h.d,