The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-07-01
GODIVA'S HANDKERCHIEF.


all and that implies good deal (as it did
when one rode through Coventry From
her feet to her. hands her appointments
were perfect. Her chestnut brown hair
threw its curling tassels down over suit
of lighter shade, her brown hat served as
foil for the pheasant's plume erected there
on, her gloves were No. 6, her boots No. 2
She felt that she did herself credit, and
was disposed to beam on the world gen
orally in consequence. "Town" that
morning meant some shopping, some Wis
its, girl from the intelligence office for
Ma"-a little saunter generally, for
Godiva was unspoiled enough to enjoy the
window side of pictures and pretty things,
and was not wholly averse to the prolific
view of herself The glass was complaisant
enough to hold up for her amusement.
Did say she was very pretty? Yes, she
was, except when she cried or had a cold
in her head, under which circumstances
nobody that ever heard of looked well.
So this dainty little lady reached the sta
ton without ruffling a feather and seating
herself in the cars, she glanced about her
for subjects for mental discussion as
young damsels will. There was the usual
young woman with the saffron -hued baby
in blue cap with narrow white taste
ribbons falling into its eyes-and the two
masculines in attendance, one apparently
the father and the other the uncle,
each taking turns at holding the baby in
the most unnatural position possible
while the mother tied her bonnetstrings
and cluckcd, with pin in her mouth to
her winking progeny. Godiva recalled
the wicked publican as she murmured to
herself: Il never did see so many ugly
people in my whole life! that woman real
ly makes me ache she is so sinfully plain,
poor thing! But dare say her husband
dotes on her. Achee! acheew her sentence
ended, abruptly. ''Oh, thou base con-
ductor," thought she, chow couldst thou
leave open that door?' feeling, immediate
ly, her fate was sealed, as fatal shiver
ran over her. She put her hand in her
pocket for her handkerchief, but her Rus
sia leather pocket book and a small key
alone showed themselves in answer. at
isn't possible that | have been off and for
gotten my handkerchief" calculated she,
the color coming to her cheeks as hith-
erto unnoticed pair of blue eyes, belong
ing to a young man, glanced at her from
seat near. Dear, dear me! what shall |
do? shall have to sniff, in spite of good
manners" Here she gave gentle draw
ing of breath and held her face close to
the window, absorbed, apparently, in the
uninviting prospects, but the tickling
in her throat, the coming drops in
her eyes, all, no! betokened a cold
already upon her. Godiva groaned
in spirit. IF only was that ugly
woman over there, whom I laughed at
I Iwish nowsI hadn't and wore cotton
gloves, Icould give a a1sly pinch to my
nose, as she does, but-O! what can Y do
ment and | must have a handkerchief
now. | can't wipe my eyes on my dress
or my petticoat because can't get at them,
nor my starchcd linen slecves-snitt,
sniff-who ever heard Of a lady without
pocket-handkerchief before! Achee!
achce-ew This very audible reverbera-
ton startled the gentleman opposite into
giving his fair neighbor a quick glance
through his eye glasses. Then he pulled
his mustache with perplexcd expression.
What does that girl look at me for, Iwon
der? the glance seemed to say, and he
took off the eyeglasses, which, 0 aggra-
vation he proceeded to polish nicely on
the whitest of handkerchicfs. This was |
too much for Godiva's watering eyes.
eff" murmured she, 81 thought he was
married | would ask him to lend me his |
l declare l wouldt He |
couldn't think l had any design on his
heart if he only knew how felt-O dear
me! dear me! | am wretched being and |
| shall certainly go wild before long. l |
have to keep my mouth wide open now,
and never can get Through day in town,
never" Poor Godiva, what avails your
fine feathers? 'S
a Necessity, they say, knows no law, and
Godiva was Desperate. She rose from her
seat and touched the gentleman gently on
his arm, hurrying him to his feet with
bow and look of "at your service,
ma am" which deepened into mingled
expression of doubt and amazement as his
fair neighbor held out her hand and said
:" May trouble you to. lend me your
sir?' He blushed very red
indeed and so did she, but he gave her the
and sat meekly down again,
like Chicken Little if the sky
wasn't falling. Godiva had possession,
which is nine points inthe law, to be sure,
but after the first satisfaction she could
not but be aware that she had unlawfully
herself Of what wasnthers. The
click of the car-wheels would fall into the
Jingle of What will that young gentle
man do-do-if he should need his hand
kerchicf too-too-but perhaps he has an
other. Some people do carry two-twop'
and rattle it increasingly as the train flew
on; but the final query: "What will he
Lhink of me?" remained unmoved by any
philosophy. She felt the blue eyes stealth
lily regarding her with comical look.
AT last the train stopped and Godiva got
out and walked away with. the pocket.