Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-10-27
VOL 81.

VOL 81.
to come and fetch me, so was to 60 to
him, and alone, without even the meager
'sprotection'' of a maid, and with naught
save the sense of being Mrs. Algernon Sid
ney Westmoreland as shield and buckler
for my timidity, my nineteen years and
babyish face, and a journey of five days
duration. Still, I did not dread it. The
idea of travel in itself alone was enchanting
to my untraveled soul; the idea that was
to see Algy in something short of week,
and feel his big brown mustache on my
mouth, redoubled the enchantment in a
| most singular manner; and, moreover, in
the fact of performing this voyage I'M
attended there was to me sweet flavor of
unaccustomedness, so to speak, that quite
beWltched me, as l rehearsed the deport-
ment L should display to admiring tourist
over the packing of my bran-new trunk.
I crossed the Channel, sufficient to say,
not less sufferer from mal-de-mer than
any woman on board the pitching, lurch-
ing vessel; and, after three hours at the
Hotel Rationale for refreshmeEt and rest,
took my seat in the raifwy-cars bound
for P, where [ was, according to
Algy's express injunctions, s'to stay at the
Hotel du Bon-Dieu over night, EARNED
with a small traveling-bag, containing
sundry necessaries, in the one hand, and
my shawl-straps in the other. girded around
my thick blanket plaid, which, in its turn,
vase folded securely around my dot-the
precious diamonds, which I was too much
afraid Of losing to trust in my trunks,
knowing full well that the company would
not be responsible for even 1.-THE of their
value.
settled myself and my possessions quite
comfortably, when, just as the cars were
about to start, some one tapped me on the
shoulder, and pleasant voice, with just
the faintest flavor of foreign accent, spoke:
care you expecting companion?" Is
this seat engaged?" pointing to the one
beside me.
''No-oh, no !" I answered.
with your permission, then?"
"Certainly, madame"
I looked up then at the person whose
two small canvas bags and one wicker
basket were deposited on top of my own
portable luggage on the side rack-a tall,
old-well, perhaps [ should use the milder
form-elderly lady, with punches Of soft
gray curls on either side of her face, a
coffee colored complexion, two bright gray
eyes, a small mouth-and a nose! The
foregoing exclamation point is not intended
to imply that 1 was in the habit of asso-
ciating with persons whose faces lacked
that important feature, the nose; but SIM
ply to indicate the extreme establishment I
felt on beholding this particular nose
To say that it was long gives but faint
idea Of the actual state of the case, but it
was of a great length, and very thin, and
very pink, and vast deal more than very
unpleasant; it seemed, as it were, to be
peering and investigating everything, to be
inquiring and ferreting out all visible and
invisible objects, and to have quite an, in
dependent character of its own. 1t ex-
tended well oyer the old lady's long upper
lip; and, in brief, it was not only nose
that my companion was mistress Of, but
nose and half.
81 hope I do not incommode your" The
pleasant, courteous voice recalled me to my
senses.
mot in the least, I assure you. reply,
casting one more furtiVe glance at the
nose.
'''Tis little chilly-is it not? think
I need more wrappings."
With which the elderly lady arose and
took down one Of her small canvass bags,
drawing therefrom blue cloak, with which
she enveloped herself, and, swapping the
catch, reinstated the bag in it's place.
''Can I not hand you your plaid?" the
elderly lady asked me, courteously, before
seating herself.
Iglanced up as I answered her, and read
the small card that was neatly placed on
the bottom of her satchel, mime. la Com
Jesse de Girondelle, Paris"
mo, thanks !! All, beg pardon, it is
chilly. I am sorry to trouble you, but I
will take it, please"
| And she hands it to me, resuming her
seat with a nice, cheerful smile. l I'M
buckle the straps, unroll my plaid, and
leave my precious morocco case quite bare
with its brass mounting and paddock, and
the new plate papa had put on it for my
wedding-d day"
| CT ~ mn occ;ct won Mp,o 10 Eopafocce
says politely, helping me on with my big
shawl. ''tellow-travellers shonld be on
excellent terms, especially when they
chance to be two ladies voyaging alone
You have been on the continent before,
presume? The English ladies are such
ladies for sight-seeing.''
ssNo,' replied, bashfully, and-why
know not-feeling mortified to think thai
I had not been abroad before.
mo! Is it possible? You are SO self
possessed that I imagined you were famil-
lar with all these scenes"
Worthy Comtesse! Her eyes were be
ginning to fill her, feared.
81, ah, alas! I have been many times
over Europe, and alone also, since tht
death of my husband
Here it occurred to me to wonder, will
another furtive glance, how any man couli
have married such a nose.
''You are going to Baden to join youl
mother and father, to F.? I will 81
gladly chaperone you SO far as in my poo
power. 1 know what it is to be so young
though never so pretty" with a sighl "ant
voyaging alone"
"You are very kind" 1 reply, with {
feeling of great satisfaction as take il
the idea of once more being dependen
1lDon some one (which is to tell the trut]