River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-09-21
a NOSE AID A HALF.

a NOSE And A HALF.
Precisely a month after our marriage
Mrs. Algcrnon Sidney Westmorelanc
was informed by my lord and maste
HAT such and such business-impera
tive enough, | owned called him i'm
mcdiJtely TO the Continent and, III
though both Mr.. and Mrs. As. S. " est
mOrcland murmurcd somewhat Il
fate and 1900 per aunum, Algy wa
compelled to leave me ''my lane, an,
so on his way the wifeless husband o
Il month standing. lie was to b.
back cerainlv in three weeks, if no
sooner, and | WAS charged to writ
hourly, 10 telegraph If had the head
ache, and To keep up good heart he
sides. Instead of fulfilling which
commands. wrote--wcll, it is true
almost hOurly-in scraps; forhod'
from telegraphing either my head Of
my heart aches an, alas for cheerful
ness! | moped about my bit of a hOus
in Bayswater rs though was widow
! INSTEAD of a bride stared at Algy S big
photo over my bed remembered, al
] 4
him completely ont of sight--a most
rnucky proceeding tried the piano,
but found il sad reminder of Um
counting days pOked my fingers in Ill.
the pockets of the coats Algy had left
at home, hut found nothing save a few
old envelopes gaZed ut all my new
gowns, and felt no inclination to put
them on and last, but by no medns
least, Toasted my eyes on my sole dot
IA superb set Of diamonds that ha,
been In my family for ever SO man,
years, and that my father, even in hi,
darkest days, would in no wise part
with. There was necklace and
cross, brooch, and pair Of earrings.
with exquisite pendants that on,
could detach nj pleasure a bracelet
and ring, that put Algy's solitaire.
sparkling on my small third finger, e.
the most unQuestiomtble blush but !
loved the solitaire with most unreasOn.
able passion, and, in contrast, looked
collly on the nine.stOned gem lying
among its splendid fellows in the big
morocco case nothing would induce
me tu wear IL.
One week, two. three Algy was no
at home. and WAS not coming. | was
to join him at La Manche. lie coulr
not be spared to come and fetch me-, 50
| was 10 20 to him, and alone. without
even the meagre protection of Il
maid. and with naught save the sens,
of being Mrs. AlgprnOI Sidney West.
moreland rs a shield and u bucklcr fol
my own timidity, my 10 years and ba
| byish face. and journey Of five DAYS
duration. Still, did not dread it.
| crossed the Channel. suffice to say
not less sufferer from madeleine
than any other woman on board tn
pitching, urching vessel and, aftt
three hours X the Hotel Rationale 10
refreshmeat and rest, took my sea
in the railway-cars bound for p
where ! was, according 10 Algy's eX
press injunctlons, "to stay at the llOte
du Bon Dieu. over night. armed wit
asmall uayelng.bag containing sundr
neccsstries, in one hand ana my shaw
straps in the other, girded around m
thick blanket plaid. which, I'm its turn
was folded securely around my dot, r
the precious diamonds, which | wa
too much afraid Of losing to trust i
my trunks, knowing full we'll that IA
: company would not be responsible fl
even II 1.-THE OF their value.
settled myself and my possession
quite comfortable, when, just AS IN
cars were about TO start, some one tar
ped me on the shoulder, and a pleasaI
voice, with just the faintest flavor of
foreign accent. spoke:
"Are YOU expecting q companion
Is this seat engaged 2 pointing to IN
one beside me.
"No-oh, no - | answered.
"Nith your permission. then ~
certainly, madame. y
| looked up at the person whose tw
Srall canvass bags and one wickt
basket were deposited on top of m
own portable luggage in the side Tacl
IA tall, old-well, perhaps should u,
! the milder form-elderly lady. wit
. lunches OF soft gray curls on eitht
4 side Of her face. a coifec.cOlOrod con
2 pleXion, ,two bright gray eyes, u sma
muuth--and nose The foreguir
exclamation point is not intended |
imply that was in the habit Of ass,
cldting with persons whose faces lacl
ed that important feature. the nose
but simply to Indicate the extreme "a
Z constituent | fit ON bchOlding III
mtieulu nose.
To say that II WAS long gives but
faint idea Of the actual state of III
!. case, hut IL was of = great length, an
very thin, and very pink, and 4 VIZ
deal more than very unpleasant
seemed, rs it were, 10 he pcering an
investigating everything, 10 be inqu
ring aud ferretins out al visible an
invisible objects, and TO have quite u
Independent character and time of IL
own. II extended well over the Oh
lady 5 upper lip; and, In brief, 10 wa
not only nose that my compmio
was mistress ot, but nose and
half
II hupo TO not incommodc youl
The pleasant, courteous voice rec II
me % my senses.
"Not IN the least assure sou. r.
ply, casting one more tWtiyc glance Il
the nose.
"'Tisalitlle chilly, lthiub nea
more Wrapplngs.
with which the elderly lady aros
and to'k down O. OF her small cAnva
bugs, draw ng lhcrtlrom blue cloak
. with which she envelopes herself, and
Swapping the catch rOiustated the hlI
IN rs plueC.
"Can not hand you Your phidl'
the elderly lddy asked me, cuuttrously
Z l..