Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-09-12
MAPS KEEPSAKE.

Tuscany for some weeks with Uncle Wal.
lace, and we had many plans made for
more extended journeyings, when our IN
Gle was suddenly obliged to return to
England on pressing business. As we
could not and would not accompany him,
he installed US in quiet little hotel, gave
us a liberal allowance of pocket money
and left US with strict inju notions to re-
main quietly where we were until his re.
turn. We were to make no excursions
requiring more than days absence. for
Uncle W allace highly dlsapproved Of ladies
travelling alone in foreign countries. was
quite old enough to chaperon Nab width
ersoever she chose to 60, but not being
argumentative l agreed to keep her and
myself in strict seclusion until our uncle
rejoined US.
But, after three days of our own society
we grew terribly mopish. Nab had made
crooked little sketches Of the old cathe-
dral till we both hated the sight of the
hoary edi6ce. We had tried all the cakes
in the little confectioner's. and had read
our small library twice over.
"Efie, there is to be rural fete III
San Vito on Wednesday, and l am 60
ing" Mabel announced On the fourth
day.
'sSan Vito is eight miles from here" l
said. deprecatingly.
81 don't care if it is eighty"
but think of your promise to uncle
Wallace not to 60 anywhere.
I'VE shall be away only one night, and
[ shall die of the blues If we don't have
some amusement"
1 demonstrated to the utmost of my
ability, but was overruled in the end as
knew I should be. Nab, having had her
own way ever since she was q baby, was
not likely to relinquish her sceptre at the
ripe age of 20. So the next afternoon
armed with shall straps and small valise
we betook ourselves to the railway station
and bought tickets far San Vito.
"Mademoiselle should inquire carefully
the hours of the trains. as the time tables
are often inaccurate on this liue," said
our smiling landlord, as we departed.
Our only fellow-traveler in the coupe
was a gentleman of about 80. He was
reading the Times as we entered. but no
ticed that he seemed to take more inter
est in Mab's pretty face than in the Dews
Yet he was not the least impertinent, and
he apparently imagined that his furtive
but comprehensive glances we're quite un'
noticed.
Every one admired Mabel-she was like
sea shell, or tea rose, or any delicate
ly-tinted lovely bit Of nature-and I could
not blame this man tor being only human
He had pleasant dark eyes with plenty Of
fun in them, sleek dark hair, good
length of limb, and look of the patriciar
about him from the toe of his well-1ttine
boot to his finely shaped hand.
AS the stranger had been thoughtful
and kind concerning the disposal of oul
luggage and the arrangement of refracto-
~ curtains, politeness demanded that
should address him, and we we're so0r
chatting together like old friends. HI
gave us his card, on which was engraved
Sidney Weir, Oaklands. Kent" and he
cleaned from our conversation that the
Misses Warburton of Exham, we're his
travelling companions.
1t suddenly occurred to me that I was
playing the chaperon very badly in max
ing such advances to stranger. and
tried to brighten Nab into becoming pro
priety and re.erve; but when l flattered
myself that I was looking my sternesl
she actually gave Mr.. Weir her pretty
hand to hold while he told her fortune In
the pink palm.
The subject of brio a-brac hang come
| up, Weir produced curiousIy 2yed
little silver whistle from his pocket, whict
he said had once saved his life in India
It had peculiar shrlll Lote. very penetra
| ting and striking for so small an article
used as signal of distress it had brought
help when he was Overp0wered by the
enemy. He seemed pleased with Mabl
J warm admiration of the whistle, and al
| she was returning 1t ne said simply:
81 should be so pleased if you would &C
cept the little toy as keepsake. l shal
only lose it if it continues to jingle about
with my keys and small change and per
haps it will serve as charm to ward OF
danger to you on some occasion. Its duty
to me is DONE"
Nab hesitated but, seeing the disap
pointed look on Mr.. Weir's face, she tool
the little trinket, with smile OF tnanKs
and fastened it to one of her bracelets.
thought it bold, forward thing to do
but knew that my opinion OF displeasur'
would make but little difference to m!
Younger sister.
i 1t was growing late as we drew nea
the little station Of Gimino. where W
ahould have to change carriages for Sal