The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1886-04-17


it myself
She did not refuse-she murmured
some faint apology for troubling him,
but it was not refusal.
mo trouble-not bit,' said he, al.
ranging it on her tempting shoulders;
and then as the young lady handed hel
fare to the conductor he said to him.
self, 'What slender hand! If there is
anything admire in woman, it is a
pretty hand. Wonder what kind of a
mouth she has got! 1t must be delight
full if it corresponds with her hair and
eyes-plague take the veil!'
But plague whoever the mystical
power may be, did not take possession
of the veil, so Mr.. Edges curiosity
about the blue eyed damsel renamed
unsatisfed.
'Have you room enough, Miss? fear
you are crowded. Pray sit little closer
to me-
THANK you, sir, was the soft reply
coming from behind the veil-as Mr..
Edge reflected like an angel from a
dark cloud. And his heart gave large
thamp as the pretty shoulder touched
his own shaggy overcoat in hesitating
sort of way.
decidedly this is getting quite ro-
mantic,' thought he, and then in 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
of luck it happened to be in the very
street where he intended to stop. And
under the circumstance 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 man of sense would have done the
same thing-it was such an inviting lit
tie lily.
'Allow me to carry your basket, Miss,
as our path lies in the same direction,
said Mr.. Edge, courteously, relieving
her of her burden as 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 street and pitchy darkness
he thought he was walking on roses.
Only as he approached his own door he
began to grow little nervous, and wish
the little incognito would not hold on
so tight, Suppose Maria would be at
the window, on the lookout, as she often
was, how would she interpret matters?
He couldn't make her believe that he
only wanted to be polite to the fair
traveller. Besides, his sweeping declar-
ations in the morning would be
sure so recall them. AS he stopped at
the right number and bade her adieu,
he was astonished to see her likewise
run up the steps to enter. Gracious
Apollo! He burst into cold perspira-
ton at the idea of the young lady's
error.
4 think you must have made mis-
take, Miss, this can't be your house.
But he was too late-she was already
in the brilliantly lighted hall, and turn
ing around tnrew OF ner uIIpplng llaDiil
ments and made low courtesy.
'Why, it is my wife!'
'And happy to see that you have moi
forgotten all your gallantry towards u;
ladies', pursued the merciless little puss
her blue eyes (they were very pretty) al
in dance with suppressed roguery.
Edge looked from ceiling to floor ir
vain search for loop-hole to escape
but the search was unavailing.
WELL he said in the most sheepisf
of tones, lit is the first time I was evel
polite to lady in the cars, and hang
me if it shan't be the last.
you see, my DEAR said the ecstatie
little lady, Il did not expect to be de-
layed so long and had not any idea
should meet with such attention in the
cars, and that from my husband, too
Goodness gracious, how Aunt Priscilla
will enjoy the joke
IF you tell that old harpy, l will
never hear the last of it, said Edge, II
desperation.
very likely was the provoking re
ply of his wife.
Now look here, darling,' said Mr.
Edge, coaxingly, you won't say any
thing, will your A fellow don't wan
to be laughed at by all the world.
say, Maria, you shall have the pretties
furs in New York if you will only keel
quiet-you shall, upon my honor.
The terms were satisfactory, and Mari;
capitulated-who wouldn't? And tha
is The way she got those splendid fur
that filled the hearts of all female friends
with envy. And perhaps it was wha
made Mr.. Edge such a courteous hus
band ever since.