St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-09-23
How 1 Lost Her.

Yes, was really in Italy-land of
enchantment-lando of my dreams. |
was actually domiciled in Naples. A
doctors decree had sent me here to re-
cuperate, and in my train had come II
group of bright young spirits-Iarold
my son, Kate Lamar my sprightly
niece who blessed her lucky stars for
an opportunity to see Italy under aunt
| Holmes chaperOnage-andk kate's annie
intimie, lovely and winsOme bessie
Dunbar Besides this family party,
there was young John Hamilton
handsome and agreeable, who had fall
len in with lis by Il happy chance, he
said, while | shrewdly suspected that
Dessie's bright eyes were the magnets
that drew him within our circle. Last
there was Miss Elliott, my companion.
Last but not least. Though occupying
humble position, she was by no
means humble looking parsonage
this tall, stately girl with her clear cut
features and her crown of ebon hair
Those deep eyes seemed to hold the Sc
cret of dramatic past, but Miss Eli
OTIS manner, sweet though it was, had
proud reserve that repelled curiOsi-
| ty.
|
which overlooked the glorious bay,
was source of eager delight and Gu
rious research to the girls.
ats just grand" pronounced Kate,
coming back from an exploring expe-
dition. "There's no end to the rooms.
Some of them are superb, and others
delightfully."- musty and mysterious. Oh |!
it's perfectly Udolphoish, my darling
auntie, and one of these days we shall
stumble Oh IA mystery, mark my word"
And the butterfly thing waltzed away
followed by bessie and John, intent on
fresh discoveries.
1t was days before we cared for any
sightseeing outside the charmed city,
but at length we made an excursion to
Vesuvius and scrambled up its lava
crusted sides, assisted by bearded olive
skinned guides, whom bessie and Kate
declared wonderfully picturesque, but
John and Harold pronounced evil
lainous lot"
All romance vanished, however,
when we began to descend the vOlca-
no. To add to the difficulty and dan
ger sudden storm burst upon us, and
torrents of rain were driven directly i'll
our faces. We had abandoned our
mules and were toiling on slightly III
advance of the others, when our atten-
ton was drawn from our own cOndi-
ton by the sudden apparition of a gen.
tleman and his guide standing within a
few steps of us, and evidently await
ing our approach.
Just as we neared the strangers
there came Il fresh gust of wind and
rain, but above its sound, heard an
exclamation from our guide. My young
companion had tainted. Was it ia
tigue or fright Or-what? And how in
the world were we to manager What
could we do with her if she did not re-
cover at once"
"Harold!n | called out helplessly
but the stranger solved the problem be-
fore the others could come up to the
scene of the mishap.
He stepped forward and saying hur-
riedly: "Permit me-" lifted the girl
from the supporting arms of the guide.
''This way" he cried, striding ahead.
"There is shelter at hand"
So there was II shepherds hut
among the rocks and cedars which we
had not seen till he led the way to it,
and pushing open the door, was about
to deposit his burden upon il bench
when she struggled from his arms, and
flew to me where | stood in the door
way, having Just entered and rec0g-
nized in the tall stranger-NernOn Rut-
ledge, whom had not seen for years
and supposed to be at that time travel
ing i'll the far West.
As my arm encircled her, he stoOp-
ed down and under cover of disentang
ling the fringe of her sleeve which had
caught on button of his coat, he whis-
pered:
"You have nothing to fear from me
now"
caught the words, though so softly
uttered. What connection was there
between Vernon Rutledge and this cold
stately girlP
= The others had come up and Rut-
ledge was greeted with an amazed wei
come 1t was decided that he should
join our party. There was room fol
half hundred in the old palace. w,
looked on his advent among lis as {
happy event, knowing well what an ac-
) QUESTION he would prove with his rich
well stored mind, large experiences
and genial courtesy. He had been the
life of our neighborhood when he wa'
5 a youth, just grown up, handsome anC
D light hearted.
While we reiterated welcomes anC
j. asked and answered questions, Mis-
: Elliott stood beside me, an apparently
Indifferent listener. She had entirel,
regained her self-pOssession and seem
ed to have grown colder and paler thai
ever.
r At length the storm subsided, an,
when we left the friendly shelter of tn,
hut the sun was shining, and the eartl
freshened and revived, smiled unde
. its rays.
). "May assist you ?" Rutledge aske,
with strangely timid earnestness as Ia
laid his hand upon Miss Elliott's.
The blood mounted to her brow sh
drew away from him with hal
naughty, half frightened look, saying
Il will not trouble you"
n He bowed quietly and walked +
Kate's side.
- "Pray don't mind her." she whisper
ed. at is the storm. 1t has quite un
It nerved her"
l. Immediately after we had reache
- home, my companion disappeared, an
| was too fatigued to seek her, thougl
INV love and sympathy were with tn
!, aeitated unhappy girl. When Dime
" was announced some hours later,
knocked at her door, hoping to preva
N ON her to join us at the table.
Don't ask me, dear Mrs. Holmes,