The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-10-06
A NOSE AND A HALF.

N NVoE AMI n
Precisely month after our marriage,
Mrs. Algernon Sidney Westmoreland
was informed by my lord and master
that such and such business-imperative
enough, 1 owned-called him immedi
ately to the continent; and, although
both Mr.. and Mrs. A. 8. Westmoreland
murmured somewhat at fate and 96O0
per annum, Algy was compelled to leave
me "my lane, and go on his way the
wifeless husband of months standing.
He was to be back certainly in three
weeks, if not sooner, and was charged
to write hourly, to telegraph if / had
the headache, and to keep up good
heart besides9 Instead of fulfilling
which commands, 1 wrote-well, it is
true, almost hourly-in scraps; forebode
from telegraphing either my head or
my heartaches; and, alas for cheerful
ness moped about my bit of house
in Bayswater, as though was widow
instead of bride; stared at Algy's big
photo over my bed; rem mbered, almost
with tears, thai lad watched him COM
pletely ou of sight-a most un]ucky
roceeding; tried the piano, but found
it put sad reminder of our courting
days; poked my fingers in all the pock-
cts of the coats Algy had left at home,
but found nothing save few old envel-
opes; gazed at all my new gowns, and
felt no inclination to put them on; and
last, but by no means least, feasted my
eyes on my sole dot-a superb set of
diamonds that had been in my family
for ever 30 many years, and that my
father, even in his darkest days, would
in no wise part with. There was a neck
lace and cross, brooch, and a pair of
earrings with exquisite pendents that
one could detach at pleasure; bracelet
and ring, that put Algy's solitaire, spark
ling on my small third finger, to the
most unquestionable blush; but loved
the solitaire with most unreasonable pas
sion, and, in contrast, looked coldly ON
the nine stoned gem lying among its
fellows in the big morocco case; nothing
would induce me to wear it.
One week, two, three Algy was not
at home, and was not coming. / was to
join him at l., Manche. He could not
be spared to come and fetch me, so / was
to go to him, and alone, without even
the meager protection of maid, and
with naught save the sense of being
Mrs. Algernon Sidney Westmoreland as
a 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 un-
travelled soul the idea that was to see
Algy in something short Of o week, and
feel his big brown mustache on my
mouth, redoubled the enchantment in
most singular manner and, moreover,
in the fact of performing this voyage
unattended there was to me q sweet
flavor of unaccustomedness, so to speak,
that quite bewitched me, as 1 rehearsed
the department / should display to ad-
miring tourists over the packing of my
brand-new trunk.
1 crossed the Channel, sufficient to
say, not less sufferer from mal-de-mer
than any woman on board the pitching,
lurching vessel and, after three hours
at the Hotel Rationale for refreshment
and rest, ! took my seat in the railway
cars bound for P, where was, ac-
cording to Algy's express injunctions.
"to stay at the Hotel du Bon-Dieu over
night, armed with small travelling
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, was folded Sc
curely around my dot-the precious
diamonds, which was too much afraid
of losing to trust in my trunks, knowing
full well that the company would not be
responsible for even tithe of their
value.
1 settled myself and my possessions
quite comfortably, when, just as the cars
we're about to start, some one tapped me
on the shoulder, and pleasant voice,
with just the faintest flavor of foreign
accent, spoke:
Are you expecting a companion Is
this seat engaged 7" pointing to the one
beside me.
No-oh, no !" 1 answered.
" With your permission, thenl"
Certainly, madame"
looked up then at the person whose
two small canvas bags and one wicker
basket were deposited on top of my own
portable luggage in the side rack-a tall,
old--well, perhaps / should use the
uilder form-elderly lady, with punches
of soft gray curls on either side of her
face, coffee-colored complexion, two
bright gray eyes, small mouth-and a
nose The foregoing exclamation point
is not intended to imply that 1 was in
the habit of associating with persons
whose faces lacked that important fea-
ture, the nose but simply TO indicate
the extreme astonishment I felt on be-
holding this particular nose.
To say that it was long gives but q