The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-06-22
A NOso and O Half.

Precisely month after our marriage I,
Mrs. Algernon Sydney Westmoreland, was
informed by my lord and master that such
and such business-imperative enough, |
owned-called him Immediately to the Con-
timent; and, although both Mr.. and Mrs. A.
5. WestmoIeland murmured somewhat at
tate and 1900 per annum, Algy was COM
PEELED to leave me "my lane" and 60 on his
way the wifeless husband of a months stand
Ing. He was to be back certainly in three
weeks, ii not sooner, and I was charged to
write hourly, to telegraph if had the head
ache, and to keep up good heart besides.
Instead OF fulfilling which commands wrote
well. 1t is true, almost hourly, in scraps;
forbore from telegraphing either my head
or my heart aches; and, alas for cheerfulness
moped about my bit of house in Bays
water as though was widow instead Of
pride; stared at Algys big photo over my
bed; remembered, almost with tears, that I
had watched him completely out of sght--a
most uDlucky proceeding; tried Tho piano,
but found it but sad reminder of our court
ing days; poked my fingers in all the pockets
OF the coats Algy had left at home, but found
nothing save few old envelopes; 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 SUI
PCiU oCb VI QloAOuuo tudt 1du UCCu Ill LILY
family for ever 80 many years, and that my
father, even in his darkest days, would in no
wise part with. There was necklace and
cross, brooch and pair of earrings with
exquisite pendants that one could detaeh at
pleasure; bracelet, and ring that put Algy's
solitaire, sparkling on my small third finger,
to the most unquestionable blush; but
loved the solitaire with most unreasonable
passion and, in contrast, looked coldly on the
nlne-stoned gem lying among its splendid
fellows in the bic 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 La Manche. He could not be spared
TO come and fetch me, so | was to 60 to him,
and alone, without even the meagre 'sprotec-
ton" of maid, and with naught save the
sense of being Mrs. Algernon Sidney West
moreland as shield and a buckler for my
timidity, my 10 years and babyish face, and a
journey of five days duration. Still l 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 a week and feel his big brown NOUS
tache on my mouth, redoubled the enchant-
ment IN most singular manner; and, more
over, in the fact OF performing this voyage
unattended there was to me sweet flavor of
unaccustomedness, so to speak, that quite
bewitched me as rehearsed the department
should display to admiring tourists over the
packing of my brand new trunk.
crossed the Channel, suffice it to say, not
less sufferer from mal-de-mer than any
woman on board the pitching, lurching YES
sci; and, after three hours at the Hotel
Rationale for refreshment and rest, 1 took
my seat in the railway cars bound for P,
where was, according to Algy's express in
functions, ITO stay at the Hotel du Bon Dieu
over night'-armed with small travelling
bag, containing sundry necessaries, in the
one hand, and my shawlstrap in the other,
glrded around my thick blanket plaid, which,
in its turn, was folded securely around nv
cot-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 1.-THE of their
value.
settled myself and my possessions quite
comfortably, when, just as the cars were
ABOUT to stort, some one tapped me on the
shoulder, and pleasant voice, with lust the
faintest flavor of foreign accent, spoke;
"Are you expecting companion? Is this
seat engaged?" pointing to the one beside
me.
"No-oh, mop answered.
"With your permission, then"
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 Ishould use the nilder form-elderly
lady, with punches of soft, gray curls on
either side of her face, cofee-colored COM
plexion, two bright gray eyes, small mouth
and nose! The foregoing eXclamatien
point is not intended to implu .l-s'v-I was In
the habit of ASSOCIATIVE Win persons whose
faces lacked tI---V important feature, the nose !;
bnt s.-spfy to indicate the extreme astonish-
anent felt on beholding this particular nose
To say that 1t was long gives but a faint
idea OF the actual state of the case, but it was
OF great length, and very thin and very
pink, and vast deal more than very I'M
pleasant; it seemed, as it were, to be peering
and investigating everything, to be inquiring
and ferreting out all visible and invisible OBJ
Jects, and to have quite an independent char
acter and time of its own. It extended we'll
over the old lady's long upper lip; and, in
brief, 1t was not only nose that my COM
panion was mistress of, but nose and half.
Il hope do not incommode you?' The
pleasant, courteous voice recalls me to my
senses.
'.Not in the least, 1 assure you.n re-
ply, casting one more fugitive glance at the
nose.
"Tis little chilly, is it not9" 1 think
need more wrappings."
With which the elderly lady arose and took
down one OF her small canvas bags. drawing
tnerefrom blue cloak, with which she en-
veloped herself, aud swapping the catch, re-
instated the bag in its place.
Gan not hand your plaid? ?" the elderly
asked me, courteously, before seating herself.
glanced up as l answered her, and read
the small card that was neatly tackled on the
bottom of her satche, "Mme. la Comtesse
de Girondelle, Paris"
mo, thanks. All, beg pardon, it is chilly
please"
And she hands it to me, resuming her seat
with nice, cheerful smile. unbuckle my
straps, unroll my plaid, and leave my precious
morocco case quite bare with its brass mount
iings and paddock, and the new plate papa
had put on it for my wedding day.
says politely, helping me on with INV bic
shawl. "Fellow-tfavellers should be on ex-
cellent terms, especially when they chance
10 be two ladies travelling alone. You have
been on the Continent before, presume,
Inc English ladies are such ladies for sight
seeing."
NO." replied, bashfully, and--why I
know not-feeling mortified that I had not
been abroad before.
NO! Is it possible? You are SO self
FoSSSNSeN eaoo L iuuo5luCQ 1Oa VIVID
all these scenes"
Worthy Countess! Her eyes were begin
ming to fail her, feared.
"I-ah, helas have been many times
over Europe, and alone, also, since the death
OF my husband"
Here it occurred to me to wonder, with an
other furtive glance, how any man could have
married such nose.
You are going to Baden to Join your
mother and father,-to F.? will SO gladly
Gnaperone you so far as in my poor power.
l know what it is to be so young, though
never lever 50 pretty,"-with a sigh-"and voy-
GU are very kind" reply, with great
satisfaction as l take in the idea of once
more being dependent upon some one-which
is, to tell the truth, my normal state-and
that some one a worthy elderly LADY,. although
with more than the usual share of nose.
But am not going to F., only to Ba-
dem" w -"
''So?" interrupted the Comtesse, with a
smile of genuine delight 81 go to Baden
myself The waters have been prescribed for
me by my physician"
"YesT ' I say, interestedly, 81 am sorry
that do not stay there. 1 90 right on by
coach to P, and thence to La Manche,