, 1878-05-22

the previous day. I endeavored to
descry her, with the old pain at my
heart. My brother young, good, brave,
destined to become a great man, as l be-
lieved, had died of fever on board ship
off Callao five years ago smitten down
without power to send me message,
| although, thus stricken, | was left alone.
Yes, all alone shivered in the bright
Italian morning while my eyes searched
wistfully for the man-of-war. Since
then every frigate had become to me
Harry's ship, and every office in uniform
assuredly must be my dead brothers
friend. Five years of Winter and Sum-
mer in the old house at home, wander
ing from room to room in II ghostly
fashion, with the portraits Of father and
mother in the shadow Of the best parlor,
and Harry's dog following me with
dumb intelligence to thrust his nose into
my hand; five years of mourning, Of
silence that left me a plain little old
maid, my hair turned gray Then An
ME, happy wife and mother, school-mate
and friend of many years, had written
to me long letter from her home at
Leghorn, where her husband was sn-
gagged in business, urging me to come
abroad, | saw my future clearly enough
In this genial household l should be
companion, friend, old-maid aunt to the
children, | sighed.
just then the merchant whose wares
We're displayed in one corner of the tent
-tortoise-shell, coral, and sienna-wood
trinkets--begged me to take n chance in
his lottery | took the box. and turned
out the dice on the board, having paid
franc. The merchant counted up the
numbers and found the corresponding
one in his stock of prizes represented by
d set of coral, resembling sticks of red
sealing wax, Somebody approached
and watched the drawing. recognized
the long sandy beard of the intruder of
my bath, but gave little jump when /
further discovered that he wore the
uniform of an American naval officer.
The merchant Immediately pounced on
him. Almost unconsciously the stranger
of the sandy beard appealed to me in
English for explanation, as he did not
understand italian. The next moment
he held in his hand very pretty shell
comb for ladys hair as prize.
"Madam, do you think this would
please---a womanl" he inquired, scrutin-
izing it.
"Undoubtedly," replied, calmly i
had taken him under my protection as
one of Harry's friends.
His face flushed, and quizzical smile
lighted up his keen eyes, 81 mean a
lady-home-i America. You are an
Americana"
"Yes," l said, at my ease; for he was
not thinking of me at all. / was even
half tempted to ask him if he had known
my poor Harry
| "Thank you," he said with sudden
stiffness, and raising his cap, walked
away.
Another hour passed swiftly while /
gazed out over the sea from the tent;
then the heat of the sun warned me TO
return. Annie's phaeton bore me back
to the city again. En- route / remem-
bered trifing commission at the milli-
ner's. Entering the shop, the first OBJ
ect presented to my notice was the tall
officer with the sandy beard, beset by
two clerks, and surrounded by piles Of
Leghorn hats. The poor mans aspect
was most bewildered and helpless in that
mass of straw. executed my commits
sion quietly, and was about to leave,
when he accosted me.
"Would you have the kindness to give
me your adviceP he said. 81 wish to
make a present Of a Leghorn hat to
lady in America, and it must be Of the
best quality"
Thus appealed to l sifted out the
finest straw for his inspection. "Leg-
horn hats are all made in the Florence
manufactures, you know. / said.
He made no response; he was staring
at my hands with very peculiar ex-
preston. l blushed slightly, and hid
them in the crown of the Leghorn hat.
They were very small and well shaped;
had trouble with my gloves usually,
wearing a child's size. Brother Harry
used to admire their tiny proportions,
and accuse me of vanity in the possess
ion of such extremities, Here was this
tall officer in foreign city actually
pausing in the midst of buying gift for
an unknown lady probably his fancee