Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-04-12

gave little Jump when | further discovered
that he wore the uniform Of an American ma
val officer. The merchant Immediately pounc-
ed on him. Almost unconscously the stran-
ger of the sandy beard appealed to me in
English for explanation, as he did not under
stand italian. The next moment he held in
his hand very pretty shell comb for n lady s
hair as prize.
Madam do you think this would please
n woman z" he inquired scrutinizing it.
Undoubtedly" l replied calmly. l had
taken him under my protection rs one of Hnr-
rys friends.
His face flushed and quizzical smile light
ed up his keen eyes. II mean lady-home
in America. You are an American
Yes, 1 said at my ease for he was not
! thinking of me at ALL ! was even half tempt
ed to ask him if he had known my poor Har-
ry.
Thank you, he said with sudden stiffness,
and raising his cap, walked away.
Another hour passed swiftly while l 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 | remembered n tri1ing commission at
the milliner's. Entering the shop, the first
| object presented to my notice was the tall Of
ficer with the sandy beard, beset by two
clerks and surrounded by piles of Leghorn
hats. 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 he thus accosted me-
Would you have the kindness to give me
your advice - he said II wish to make
present of a Leghorn hat to n lady in Ameri-
ca, and it must be Of the best quality"
Thus appealed to, sifted out the finest
straw for his inspection. 'Leghorn hats are
all made in the Florence manufactures, you
know, / said.
He made no response he was staring at
my hands with a very peculiar expression.
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 Broth
cr Harry used to admire their tiny proportions,
and accuse me of vanity in the possession 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 fdHcee-to stare at my little hands in evil
dent astonishment. l was more vexed than
fattered. What right had he to gaze at me
so tiNedly, after having claimed my assist
anceI What would Annie think of my ad-
venturey
recalled him somewhat primly to Il sense
of duty, | suppose, for he proceeded to pay
for the hat, after had warned the shop peo-
pie not TO charge him more than double the
uhuhl price. ne luhnktu me III SuDuueQ aC-
cents, and even limited that as the ship was to
be in port some weeks, he hoped any resi-
dents would come on board | relented suf-
ficiently to inquire how he proposed sending
the Leghorn hat, and learned that it was to be
lntrusted to the captain of brig, bound for
New York.
Perhaps l had best address the box here"
he said, again consulting me with his eyes
Yes" l assented, gaining firmness and de-
cision of tone from his very irresoluton.
The clerk brought him an immense ink
stand with very rusty and gritty pen attach
ed. My companion dipped the pen into the
ink and stirred it thoroughly, as If it had been
soup.
II hope she will like it, said this extraordi-
nary man, consulting me again, with a most
sheepish expression Of countenance. Per
haps she owns ever so many Leghorn hats al
ready, in sudden alarm
mo, no. | returned, sOothingly.
pictured TO myself this lady whom he
was 50 anxious to please How proud she
would be of the exquisite Etruscan straw
which she would wear to church How enyi-
Gus would be her neighbors
There, will that answer :" lie held before
me the written address.
| gaspcd as | read: Miss Helen West
more, Berryville, Vermont"
My own name was Helen Westmore. and
Berryvillc had been my home The Leghoru
hat which had selected with so much care
was evidently intended for myself.
You can not be Dr. Easton who took care
of my poor Harry, and wrote me the letters
about him - l cried, between sobbing and
laughter. Il am his sister"
He told me his sister had the smallest
hands in the world. he replied with excite
ment
After that there were dinners at Annie's.
moonlight drives along the shore, entertain
ments on the man-Of-war, with ample leisure
for explanations and condolences. The sur
geon who had taken care of Harry had been
his intimate friend during long voyages, and
had retained the image of the sister at home
all these years. In retiring on half-pay he
had been tempted to seek her out.
Had not assisted at the purchase of my own
hat, he would never have found me when he
returned to America. The little woman in
gray was not to be the old maid aunt in An
nie's household, after all, but to return to her
own country as a happy wife, even if in a So
ber sedate fashion. Verify human destinies
hang by straw!
box stands on n high shelf in the old
home. 1t, contains an untrimmed Leghorn
hat.-HaTper's Weekly.