The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1878-05-10


me to come abroad. I saw thF futute
6IeaflS eaohgh. In thisgenial household
l should be companion, friend old maid
aunt to the children. / sighed.
Just then the merchant whose wares
were displayed in one corner Of the tent
tortoise shell, coral and sienna wood
trinkets- begged me to take a chance in
his lottery. took the box and turned
out the dice on the board, having paid a
franc. The merchant counted tip the
hunters, and found the corresponding
one in his stock of prizes represented by
set of coral, resembling sticks of red
e,lirg-wax. Somebody approached and
watched the drawing. ! recognized the
bath, but gave a little jump when |
further discovered that he wore the
uniform OF an American naval officer.
The merchant Immediately pounced on
him. Almost unconsciously the stranger
of the sandy beard appealed to me in
English for an explanation, as he did not
understand Italian. The next moment
he held in his hand very pretty shell>
comb for lady's hair as a prize.
" Madam, do you think this would
please-a woman?' he enquired scrutin-
izing it.
Undoubtedly 1 replied, calmly.
had taken him under my protection a.
one OF HarIy's friends.
His face flushed, and quizsical smile
lighted up his keen eyes. '' mean a
lady-heme-in America. You are an
American -
" Yes / said, at my ease for he was
not thinking of me at all. was even
half tempted to 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. I'm route remembered trifing
commission at the milliner's Entering
the shop, the first object presented TO
my notice was the tall Ctticer with the
sandy beard, beset by two clerks, and
surrounded by piles of Leghorn hats
The poer mans aspect was most bewil-
dered and helpless in that sea of straw.
| executed my commission quietly, and
was about to leave, when ne accosted
me.
Would you have the kindness TO
give me your advice ?" he said. 81 wish
TO make present of Leghorn hat to
lady in America, and it must be of the
best quality"
Thus appealed to, l sifted out the
finest straw for his inspection. " "Leghorn
hats are all made in the Florence manu-
factories, you know" said
He made no response he wss staring
at my hands with a very peculiar expires
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
"a child's size. Brother Harry used to
admire their tiny proportions, and &C
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 a gift for an un-
known lady-probably his fqncee to
stare at my little hands in evident aston
ishment. l WIS more vexed than fat.
tered. What right had he to gaze at me
50 fxedly, after having claimed my
assistance? What would Annie think
of my adventure
recalled him somewhat primly to
sense of duty, I suppose, for be pro-
ceeded to pay for the hat, after I had
warned the shop people not 70 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 on board. / relented sufi-
ciently to inquire how he proposed send
ing the Leghorn hat, and learned that it
was to be entrusted to the captain of a
brig, bound for New York.
" Perhaps had best address the box
here" he said, again consulting me with
his eyes.
Yes ] assented, gaining frmness
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 it
thoughtfully, as if it had been soup.
Il hope she will like it, said the ex,
traordinary man, consulting me again,
with a most sheepish expression of coun>
tenanes. Perhaps she owns ever so
mani Leghorn hats already in sudden
alarm.
No, no" l returned, soothingIy.
pictured to myself this lady whom
he was so anxious to please. How proud
she would be of the exquisite Etruscan
straw which she would wear to church
How envious would be her neighbors
There, will that answer ? d" he held
before me the written address.
/ gasped as read: Miss Helen
Westmore, Berryville, Vermont"
Ny own name was Helen Westmore,
and Berryville had been my home
The Leghorn hat which had selected
with 50 much care was evidently intended
for myself,
g You can not be DIR. Easton, who
took care of my poor Harry, and wrote
me the letter about him ?" | cried,
between sobbing and laughter. = am
his sister"
He told me his sister had the small,
est hands in the world,' he replied with
excitement
After that there we're dinners at
Annie's, moonlight drives along The
shore, entertainments on the mau>of-
war. with ample leasure for explanations
and condolences. The surgeon who had
taken care of Harry had been his inti>
mate friend during long voyages, and
had retained the image OF his sister al
home all these years. In retiring on
halt pay he had been tempted to seek