The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-04-25
VOLUME XI.

watched the drawing. | recognized the
long sandy beard OF the intruder of my
bath, but gave little jump when l
further discovered that he wore the uni
form Of an American naval officer. The
merchant Immediately pounced ON him.
Almost unconSoiously the stranger If
the sandy beard appealed to ME in En-
glish for explanation, as he did not un-
derstand Italian. The next moment he
held in his hand very pretty shell
comb for a lady's hair as a prize.
Madam, DO You think this would
please-a woman - he enquirei scrutin-
inng il.
/" Undoubtelly, l replied, eamly. |
had taken him under my protection as
one Of HarrY's friends.
His face flushed, aud aquiEEical smile
lighted mp his keen eyes. 81 mean a
lady-home-in America. You are an
American -
"Yes, said, at my ease: for he WAS
not thinking Of me at all l WAS even
half tempted 10 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. kR route remembered tn
fling commission az the milliner's. En-
tering the shop, the first object present
ei 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 bewll-
dered and helpless in that sea of straw.
executed my commission quietly, and
Was about 10 leave, when he accosted
me,
Would Won have the kindness 10
give me your advice ?" he said. "Iwish
TO make present Of q L4eghorn hat TO a
lady in America, and il must be Of the
best quality"
Thus appealed to, / sifted ont the
finest straw for his inspection. Leg
horn hats are al made in the Florence
manufactures, you know, l said.
he made no response; he was staring
at my hands with a very peculiar express
sion. / 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
q 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 foreign city actually pausing
in the midst of buying gift for an I'M
known lady-probably his fancee-to
stare at my little hands in evident aston
ishment Was more veIed than fiat
tered. What right had he 10 gaze at me
so i1edly. after having claimed my
assistance What would Annie think
of nv adventure
recalled him somewhat primly 10 q
sense of duty, i suppose, for he pro-
ceeded 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 hinted that as the ship was 10 be IN
port some weeks, he hoped any residents
would come on board. | relented sufti-
ciently te inquire how he proposed send
ing the Leghorn hat, and learned that It
was to be entrusted TO the captain Of q
brig. bound for New York.
Perhaps had best address the box
here, he said, again consulting me with
his eyes.
"Yes, 1 assented, gaining irmness
and decision Of tone from his very ire
solution.
The clerk brought him an immense
inkstand with very rusty and gritty
pen attached. My companion dipped
the pen into the ink and stirred il
thoughtfully, as If it had been soup.
Il hope she will like il, " said the ex-
traordinary man, consulting me again,
with most sheepish expression Of coun-
tenance. Perhaps she owns ever so
many Leghorn hats already" in sudden
alarm.
"No, 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 10 church
How envious would be her neighbors
"There, will that answer r. he held
before me the written address.
/ gasped as 1 read: 4" Miss Helen
Westmore, Berryville, Vermont
NV own name was Helen Westmore,
and Berryville had been my home The
Leghorn 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. 81 am
his sister"
"He told me his sister had the small
est hands in the world" he replied 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 explanations
and condolences. The surgeon who had
taken care Of Harry had been his init
mate 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 Annie's household, after
all, but 10 return TO her own country as
n happy wife, even if In a sober, sedate
fashion. Verify human destinies hang
by q straw
A box stands on the high shelf in the
old home. It contains an untrimmed
Leghorn hat.-Hdrper's Weekly.
The Scrap Book.
Every one who takes a naRananer