St. Landry democrat., 1878-05-18

edly must be my oead brothers TREND.
Five years Of winter and summer in the
old house at home, wandering from room
To room in a ghostly fashion, with the
portraits Of father and mother in the
shadow of the best parlor, and Harry's
dog following me with dumb intelligence
to thrust his nose into my hand; five
years of mourning, Of silence, that left
me plain little old maid, my hair turned
gray! Then Annie, happy wife and
mother, schoolmate and friend of many
years, had written to me long letter
from her home at Leghorn, where her
husband was engaged in business, urging
me to come abroad. I saw my future
clearly enough. In thisgenial household
I should be companion, friend, old maid
aunt to the children. 1 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 q
franc. The merchant counted up the
numbers, and found the corresponding
one in his stock of prizes represented by
set of coral, resembling sticks Of red
sealing-wax. Somebody approached and
watched the drawing. | recognized the
long sandy beard of the intruder of my
bath, but gave a little jump when |
further discovered that he wore the
uniform of an American naval officer.
The merchant Immediately peunced 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 prize.
MADAM, do you think this would
please-a woman?' be enquired scrutin-
izing it.
Undoubtedly l replied, calmly. I
had taken him under my protection as
one of Harry's friends.
His face flushed, and quizEical smile
lighted up his keen eyes. II mean a
lady-heme-in America. You are an
Americana
eyes," I said, at my ease for he was
not thinking of me at all. I 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 I
gazed out over the sea from the tent
then the heat of the sun warned me to
return. Enroute remembered trifing
commission at the milliner's Entering
the shop, the first object presented 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 bewil-
dered and helpless in that sea of straw.
I executed my commission quietly, and
was about to leave, wher he accosted
me.
"Would you have the kindness to
give me your advice ?'' he said. IT wish
TO make present Of Leghorn hat to
lady in America, and it must be of the
best quality"
Thus appealed to, I sifted out the
finest straw for his inspection. "Legh0rn
hats are all made in the Florence MAJ ID
factories, you know" said.
He made no response; he was staring
at my hands with very peculiarexpres-
sion. I blushed SLIGHTLY, and hid them
in the crown of the Leghorn hat. They
were very small and well shaped; I 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 I'M
known lady-probably his fancee-to
stare at nay little hands in evident aston~
ishment. I was more vexed than fiat.
tered. What right had he to gaze at me
30 fxedly, after having claimed my
assistance? What would Annie think
Of my adventure?
I recalled him somewhat primly to a
sense Of duty, ! suppose, for he pro,
ceeded to pay for the hat, after I had
warned the shop people not to charge
MIN more than double the usual price.
He thanked me in subdued accents, and
sven limited that as the ship was to be in
port some weeks, he hoped any residents
would come on board. I relented sufi-
GENTLY to inquire how he proposed send.
ne the Leghorn hat, and learned that it |
vas to be entrusted to the captain of a |
,rig, bound for New York.
Perhaps had best address the box
lere," he said, again consulting me with |
lis eyes,
eyes," I sssented, gaining firmness
nd decision of tone from his very irre>
olution.
The clerk brought him an immense
nkstand with very rusty and gritty
en attached. Ny companion dipped
he pen into the ink and stirred it