The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-04-25
THE BLUE VEIL.
By 8. 8.

LOOK out Tor Lizxie, In blue veil, by o p M
trainl FRED"
"a dollar and twenty cents, sir, and
sign your name in the book, IL you please"
said the boy from the telegraph Office.
dollar and twenty cents! sign my
name in the book!" / repeated stupidly;
"but this telegram isn't for mel"
Yes, sir; it is sent to Mr.. Charles
Chester, at the Lakeville House, Lakeville,
N. Y. There Is no other Mr.. Chester in
Lakeville.
Lizzie-could it be Lizzie Clara, or was
1t one Of Mrs. Stowell's handsome daugh-
ters? There was no time for me to idle in
surmising which Lizzie was to meet.
paid the boy, and drove hurriedly to the
depot, to "look for Lizzie" The New
York express had already arrived. Pas
sengers were crowding in the cars, bag
gage was rattling by, the bell ringing,
and where was Lizzie?
At length, near the door of the ladies'
room, looking uneasily around her, I
espied lady wearing blue veil.
Is this the Lizzie whom / am to
meet?" l ventured to ask, groaning in
spirit at the ignorance in which l had
been left, regarding any other cognomen.
"Oh, yesi And this must be Mr.. Ches-
ter, Isuppose. You knew me by my blue
veil, did you not? Fred said that would
be sufficient signal. You are very kind
to take charge of me. was fearful that
you would find the care of lady a great
burden on a night journey; but Fred in
sisted that you would not mind 1t, IL you
took the trouble for him; SO here am as
you perceive. Are not the cars about
starting?'
"I have time to see to your baggage" I
managed to say.
"Oh, thank you, but Fred checked it
through, and bought my ticket. 1t is all
right"
knew it was all wrong, but what bach
elor of two. and-thirty would decline to
escort a charming Lizxie," in blue veil,
thus mysteriously committed to his pro-
lection?
We had Just q minute and half in
which to secure our seats, ere the Western
train was of, and my companion uttered
a very contented little murmur of satis-
faction as we slowly steamed out of the
depot.
"Oh; was so fearful that you wouldn't
be here to meet me, Mr.. Chester" she
said, "and dreaded to take the journey
alone"
at is a long journey replied, with
faint hope that might tempt her to mem
tion her destination.
Every long," she answered, demurely.
But a call OF the conductor revealed
the fact that the lady was going to Glove
land.
My ticket was purchased for Cincinnati,
and 1 thought with satisfaction that
could stop in Cleveland, II pleased, with
out any change Of route.
! scanned my travelling companion as
closely as dared; but only a suggestion
of bright eyes, ruby lips and a dazzling
complexion reached me through the blue
veil.
81 think we have never met before to-
day." remarked, hazarding an observa-
tion which might, or might not, prove to
be correct.
"Oh, no; but have heard Fred speak
OF you SO frequently that do not feel as
II we could be STRANGERS long"
She smiled, and put up her blue veil.
With the veil lifted she looked somewhat
older than expected. had fancied she
was seventeen, but she now appeared
seven n-and-twenty. Yet she was SO fair,
20 dazzling white--with eyes that matched
her blue veil-that I forgot the question
of her age.
"This is rather a sudden journey of
mine," remarked my fair companion
"my trunk was nearly packed, and / ex-
pected to leave next Monday, and travel
alone; but when Fred heard that you
were going to take the evening train, he
telegraphed TO you Immediately, and hur-
ried me off,"
"Ah, Fred!D thought I; nit seems to
me have you now! It's just like gay
Fred Dalrymple to surprise one with such
IA - l-.- II. n
She is going to Cleveland to visit Robert
and his WIFE"
The mystery was explained, and with a
lighter heart turned to the young lady,
stimulated by this discovery in my previ-
Gus determination to render myself des-
perately agreeable.
"How is your dear Jenny?" suddenly
inquired my comrade OF the blue veil.
any dear Jenny?" mused l. "Oh--yes
sister Jenny, presume she means. She
is very well," replied.
awe have so often exchanged messages
with our love, through the medium Of
your correspondence with Fred, that
feel quite we'll acquainted with that dear
Jenny, Mr.. Chester"
"Humr' / said TO myself, "just like
Fred Dalrymple to forget to deliver his
sisters messages, and then invent replies
to satisfy her questions and cover his
negligence"
"And do tell me something about that
baby" continued Fred's sister. " You
need not be afraid OF praising it to me,
for you know we ladies always take a
lively interest in babies"
al would gladly crafty you IL IL were
possible,"I replied, "but to own the
truth seldom take much notice OF the
baby race"
"As II should believe you in this par
ticular instance" returned my interlocu-
tor, gaily. "why, somebody told Fred
that you burned the gas all night, on pur-
pose to see how cunning this wonderful
baby looks asleep"
"Mel" I exclaimed I'm horror.
"Nol you need not deny it," said she.
q" can understand that bashfulness con-
eeals your rsptsFes.- o. course IL 10 named
for your"
IL hnppened that sister Jennv'a vounv-