Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1878-05-11

Undoubtedly replied calmly. l
had taken him under my protection as
one OF Harry's friends,
His face flushed, and quizzical smile
ll9nted up his keen eyes. 81 mean a
lady home-in America. You are an
American ?"
YES" said, at nv ease; for he was
not thinking of me at all. was even
half tempted to ask him if he had known
my poor Harry.
"Ihank you," he said. with sudden
stiffness, and raising his cap, walked
away.
Another hour passed swiftly while l
gazed ont over the sea from the tent /;
then the heat of the sun warned me 10
return. Armies phaeton bore me back
to the city again. En- route / remember
ed trifing commission at the milliner's.
Entering the shop, the first object pre-
scented to my notice was the officer vita
the sandy beard, beset by two clerks. and
surrounded by piles of Legborn hats.
The poor mars aspect was most bewil-
dered and helpless in that sea of straw. |
executed my commission QUIETLY, and
was abont 10 leave when he accosted me.
would you have the kindness TO give
me your advice ?" he said. Il wish to
make present Of Leghorn hat to a
best quality"
straw for his inspection. "LeghOrn hats
are all made in the florence manufac-
tories, you Know" said.
lie made no response; he was staring
ut 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 we'll shaped /:
had trouble with my gloves usually,
wearing child's size. Brother Harry
used to admire their tiny proportions,
and accused me Of vanity in the possess
sion of such extremitieS. Here was this
tall officer i'm Il foreign city actually paus-
ing in the midst of buying gift for an
unknown lady--prObably his Jfance-tO
stare at my little hands in evident aston
ishment. was more veXed than flatter-
ed. What right had he to gaze at me so
fiXedly, after having claimed my assist
ance? What would Annie think of my
adventure
recalled him somewhat primly to a
sense of duty, | suppose. for he proceed
ed to pay for the hat, after had warned
the shop people not to charge him more
than double the usual price. He thanked
me in subdued accents. and even limited
that as the ship was to be in port some
weeks, he hoped any residents would
come OIL board. relented sufficiently to
inquire how he proposed sending the
LeghOrn hat, an learned that it was to
be Entrusted 10 the captain of a brig
bound for New York.
s.D + hoI hox
here" he said again consulting me with
his ewes.
YES" assented. gaining firmness and
decision of tone from his very irresOlu-
ton.
The clerk brought him an immense
inkStand with il Very rusty and gritty pen
attached. My companion dipped the pen
into the ink and stirred it thOughtfully
as if it had been soup.
81 hope she will like it," said this eX-
traordinary man, consulting me again.
with most shcepish expression of cOun-
tenance. Perhaps she owns ever so
many Legh0rn hats already" i'm sudden
alarm.
No, no." | returned, sOOthingly.
l pictured to myself this laty whom
he was so anxious to please, How proud
she would be of the exquisite Etriscan
straw which she would wear to church |!
How enviOus would be her neighDOrs
There, will that answer ?" he held be-
tore me the written address.
gasped as read: Miss Helen West
more. Berryville, VT"
My own name was Helen Westmore.
and Brrrysille hal been my home. The
Lcch0rn hat which had selected with
SD much care was evidently intended for
myself.
You cannot be DIR. EaStOn, who took
care OF my poor Harry, and wrote me the
letters about him ?" cried. between Sob
bling and laughter. Il am his sister,"
''iIe tod me his sister hr,l the small
est hands in the world" he replied, with
excitement.
After that there were dinners at An
MES, moonlight drives along the shore.
entertainments on the man of-war, with
ample leisure for explanations and conf
dences The surgeon who had taken
cafe of Harry had been his intimate friend
during long voyages, and had retained
the image of the sister ut home all these
years. In retiring on half-pay he had
been tempted to seek her out.
Had | not assisted ut the purchase of
my own hat. he would never have found
me when he returned to America. The
little woman in gray was not 20 be the
old maid aunt in Armies household, .af-
ter all. but to return to her own country
as IA happy wife, even if in sober, sedate
fashion. Verify human destinies hang
bya straw!
a box stands on high shelf in the
old home. 1t contains an untrimmed
LeghOrn hat.-Hdrper's Weekly.
VgoSf,or yUilIHD