Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-03-29
BEHIND THE VAIL.

Mr.. Edge was late at breakfast. That
was not an unusual occurrences; and he
was disposed to be cross; that was like.
wise nothing new, so he retired behind the
newspaper and devoured his eggs and
toast without vouchsating any reply to
the remarks of the fresh-lQoking little
lady opposite, to wit: Mrs. Edge. But
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 a hundred dollars for my new furs
to
What furs ?" (rather sharply was this
Bpoken). "Oh, pshawl What is the use
OF being extravaganza" have no money
to lay out in useless follies. The old ones
are good enough for any sensible 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 aunt's
to-night?"
Cant you go alone ~
"Alonel how would it look?" Mrs. Els
temper-for she had one, though it did
not often parade itself-was aroused.
You are so neglectful of those little at
tentions 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"
"Well, a fellow can't be ever waiting on
woman, can he ?" growled Mr.. Edge
'You could be'polite enough to Mrs.
Waters last night, when you never even
thought to ask whether | wanted any,
thing, though you knew perfectly well
that had a headache. / don't believe
you care for me as much as you used to"
and Mrs Edge looked extremely pretty
with the tears in her blue eyes and the
quiver on her round, rosy lips.
'Pshaw," said her husband peevishly.
Snow don't be silly, Maria"
And in the stage yesterday, you never
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, Henry; indeed it
was"
81 didn't know women were such fools, I"
said Mr.. Edge as he drew on his over
coat, to escape the tempest which was fast
approaching. Gam l the sort of man
to make ninny of myself doing the po-
lite to any sort of female creature? Did
you ever know me to be concious whether
woman had on shawl or swallow
tailed coat?"
Maria eclipsed the blue eyes behind
little pocket-handkerchief and Henry, the
savage, banged the door loud enough to
give Betty in the kitchen nervous start.
Raining again! l do believe we are
going to have second edition of the del
tn in1c oil
ing, as he ensconced his six feet of in
iquity into the southwest corner of the
car at City Hall. go ahead conductor,
can't you soc we are full, and it is dark
alreadyg"
"In one minute, sir" said the conductor.
az he helped little woman, with bas-
ket, on board. "Now, sir, move up lit
tie if you please"
Mr.. Edge was exceedingly comforta-
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
iy, as she bowed a single acknowledging
smile. "Real violet, the very color most
admire! Bless mel what business have
married men like me to be thinking about
eyes? There, she has drawn confound-
ed veil over her face, and the light as
dim as tallow dip; but those are pretty
eyes"
The fair possesser of those blue eyes
shivered slightly, and drew her mantilla
close around her shoulders
'Are you cold, Miss? Pray honor me
by wearing my shawl, 1 do not need it
myself"
She did not refuse-she murmured
some faint apology for troubling him, but
IL was not refusal.
"No trouble-not bit" said he arrang-
ing it on her tempting shoulders; and then
as the young lady handed her fare to the
conductor, he said to himself-"what a
slender little hand. If there is anything |
admire in woman, it is pretty hand.
Wonder what kind of mouth she has
got? 1t must be a delightful one if it cor.
responds 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.. Edges curiosity about
the blue-eyed damsel remained unsatis-
fed.
Z "Have you room enough, Miss? fear
you are crowded. Pray sit a little closer
to me-"
"Thank you, sir" was the soft reply,
coming from Denlnu Ine Vell-aS Mr
Edge reflected-like an angel from dark
cloud. And his neart gave large thump
as the pretty shoulders touched his own
shaggy overcoat in hesitating sort of
way
Decidedly, this is getting quite ro-
mantle" thought he, and then with an
audible Whisper "what would Maria
sayT"
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 in the very street where
he intended to stop. And, under the cir
cumstances, we hardly blame him, when
the cars stop 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 same-it was such
an inviting little lily.
ALLOW me to carry your basket, Miss,
as our paths lie in the same direction"
said Mr.. Edge, eourteously relieving her
of her burden S he spoke; and-and--
maybe you'll find less difficulty if you
take my arm"
Well, wasn't it delightful Mr.. Edge
forgot the wet streets and pitchy dark
ness-he thought he was walking on
roses. Only as he approached his door
he began TO feel q little nervous, and
xviahad tha littla iueoonito would NOT hold