The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-06-12

mean a lsdy--home-in America.
You are an American 7"
Eyes, I said, at my ase for be
was not thinking of me at all. !
was even half tempted to ask him II
be had not known my poor Harry.
Thank you," be said, with sudden
stiffness, aud raising his cap, walked
away.
Another hour passed swiftly while
| gazed out over the sea from the
tent; then the heat of the sun warn
ed me to return. Enroute | remem-
bered a trifing commission at the
milliner's. Entering the shop, the
FIRST object presented to my notice
was the tail officer with the sandy
beard, beset by two clerks aud sur-
rounded by piles of Leghorn bats
The poor mans aspect was most be-
wildered and helpless in that sea OF
straw. | executed my commission
quietly, and was about to leave when
be accosted me.
Would you have the kindness to
give me your advice 2" be said. 81
wish to make a present of q Leghorn
bat to a lady in America, aud it must
be in the best quality"
Thus appealed to, | sifted out the
finest stra for bis inspection. Leg
horn hats are all made in the Flor
ence manufactures, you know" L
said.
He made no response /; be was
staring at my hands with a very Pc
culisr expression | blushed slightly,
and bid them in The crown Of the
Leghorn bat. 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 ac-
cuse me of vanity in the possession
of such extremities. Here was this
tall officer in a foreign city actually
pausiDg 10 the midst of buying a
gift for an unknown lady-probably
bis fdRcee-to stare al my little
hands in evident astonisbment. |
was more vexed than fiattered.
What right had be to gaze at me so
6xedly, after having claimed my as
sistance? What would Annie think
of my adventure Z?
/ recalled him somewhat primly TO
a sense of duty, | suppose, for be
paid for the hat, after | had warned
the shop people o to charge him
more than double the usual price.
He thanked me in subdued accents,
and even binted that as the ship was
to be in port some weeks, he hoped any
residents would come ON board. /
relented sufficiently to inquire how
be proposed sending the Leghorn hat,
and learned that it was to be en-
trusted to the captain of a brig,
bound for New York.
Perhaps | had best address the
box here" be said, again consulting
me with his eyes.
"Yes," | assented, gaining firm
ness and decision of lone from his
very irresolution.
The clerk brought him an immense
inkstsnd with a very rusty and grit
ty pen attached. NY companion
dipped the pen into the ink and
stirred it thoroughly, as if it had
been soup.
81 hope she will like it," said the
extraordinary man, consulting me
again, with a most ~sheepish express
sion of c~ountenance. Perhaps she
has ever so many Leghorn hats al
ready" 10 sudden alarm.
mo, No." | returned, soothingly.
/ pictured to myself this lady
whom be was so anxious to please.
How proud she would be of the
beautiful Etruscsn straw which she
would wear to church How envi-
Gus would be her neighbors!
There, will that answer ?' he
held before me the written address.
II gasped as | read: "Miss Helen
Westmore, Berryville, Vermont"
My own name was Helen West
more, and Berryville had been my
homel The Leghorn hat which |
had selected with so much care was
evidently intended for myself.
"You cannot be DR.. Easton, who
took are of my poor Harry, and
wrote me the letter about him 2" |
cried, between sobbing and laughter.
81 am bis sister"
"He told me bis sister had the
smallest hands in the world" be re-
piled with excitement,
After that there were dinners at
Annie's, moonlight drives along the
shore, entertainments on the man-of-
war, with ample leisure for explana-
tons and condolences. The surgeon
who had taken care Of Harry had
been bis intimate friend during long
voyages, and had retained the image
of his sister at home all these years.
In retiring OF half pay be had been
tempted to seek her out.
Had | not assisted at the purchase
of my own bat, be would never have
found me when be returned to Amer
lea. The little woman ia gray was
not TO be the old-maid of Annie's
household, after all, but to return to
her own country as a happy wife,
even if in a sober, sedate fashion.
Verify human destinies hang by o
straw
A box stands in the high shelf in
the old home. 1t contains an un-
trimmed Legborn hat. - Hdrper's
Weekly.