The Spectator., 1915-03-09
ROMANCE OF A VEIL By JOHN PHILIP ORTH.

lOOkeu FlIlu avenue, anu Ou tuiS par ticular October day the window was wide open to the crisp autumn breeze. Life is dull enough, goodness knows" complained John, leaning back in his chair and elevating his heels to his desk
 And at this critical moment TO- nance entered his office in the most unexpected manner.
 There floated through the window, borne on the fresh breeze, something soft and filmy and white like a bit of pure cloud drifting down from the sky.
 He did not see it, his eyes were closed in dreamy retrospection, and it was not until the wisp of white drifted across his lips and clung there that he sat up with start
 "Jove! What is that?' he de- manded, plucking the thing from his face.
 He looked at it and recognized it as some dainty accessory to lady's toilet. delicious fragrance assailed his senses-a mingled odor of fresh violets and roses. "Oh, bother!" he snapped as he clumsily tried to remove the delicate tissue. Then he saw initials embroid- cred on the delicate hem.
 "E. V. E."
 John Gray laughed aloud as he folded up the veil and tucked it away in the breast pocket of his coat.
 T wonder who E. V. F. can be-" he chuckled Eve by all that's wonderful How shall ever find this unknown Ever
 He was still pondering this ques-, i tion while he waited for an uptown i bus; it was tempting evening to ride home on the roof of motor bus.
 Che came along just then and he l found a vacant seat beside distract ingly pretty girl.
 John Gray caught one feeting 1 glimpse of her profile, for her face i was upturned to the windows of the building where his office was located.
 The girl faced about and John could not look at her without positive rude ness, so he stared straight ahead. All at once he became conscious that the air was fragrant with that odor of mingled roses and violets. Could 1t be from that veil in his pocket?
 He furtively thrust a gloved hand in the pocket and, finding the veil in tact, withdrew his hand and quite un- consciously the veil came with it.
 "Oh!" cried voice at his elbow
 John looked down at her in polite inquiry
 My veil," she explained hastily, pointing to it.
 ''Yours?" repeated John incredulous- ly and his fingers frightened their grasp on the chiffo-. "Impossible,"
 But it is!" she insisted gently See. there are my initials. An hour or two ago was riding down the ave nue on the top of bus when a gust of wind took the veil from my hat and swirled it up. It disappeared through an office window-I am sure it is mine"
 q am afraid it is,' said John Gray reluctantly giving it to her. ''I thought it was cloud from heaven itself when it drifted into my office; I am not so sure that it isn't" he added to him. self for the look in the girls eyes was most disconcerting
 To John Gray's satisfaction the mys- terious "E. V. E." did not leave the bus until it stopped at his signal Then with little nod, enhanced by a rose tinged smile. the girl tripped past him and down the steps to the street.
 When he reached the apartment house where he had suite of rooms in his sisters home he was amazed to find that the girl had preceded him.
 She flushed with annoyance and when he made for apartment B she stopped short and glanced haughtily at him.
 This Is too much, sir!" she said.
 John paused with his latchkey in hand.
 "But-you see, live here," he said helplessly
 ''It is too-absurd to be true!" she protested, looking as if she would cry.
 Really" John was beginning when the door of the apartment opened and his sister, dressed for the street, ap- | pSdItu.
 "John, John, you home so soon?" cried Mrs. Remer; and catching sight of the girl John, let me present you to my old classmate, Edith Emmons. Have you ever met before?" she asked, struck by their embarrassment.
 "Why-er-yes,' said John hastily, and Miss Emmons blushed deeper and dimple came into her cheek.
 "We are going to Throcton's to tea, John; will you come?" asked his sis ter
 John looked at E. V. E. and her eyes said. "do come!' so he went. and before they returned home he learned that her initials stood for Edith Valerie Emmons, but he said that he thought Eve was much the prettier