The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-21
MAB'S KEEPSAKE.

for some weeks with Uncle Wallace, and we had
many plans made for more extended iourneyings,
when our uncle 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 liberal allow
ance of pocket money, and left us with strict
| injunctions to remain quietly where we were
until his return. We were to make no excur-
slons requiring longer than days absence-for
Uncle Wallace highly disapproved of ladies trav
cling alone in foreign countries 1 quite
old enough to chaperon Nab whithersoever she
cared to go, but not being argumentative L
agreed to keep her and myself in strict secluson
| until our uncle rejoined US.
| But, after three days of our own society, we
both grew horribly mopish. Nab had made
crooked little sketches of the old cathedral till
we both hated the sight of the hoary edifce, we
had tried all the cakes in the little confectoners
! and had read our small library twice over.
''Effie, there is to be a rural fete at San Vito
| on Wednesday, and am going, Mabel announced
| on the fourth day
''San Vito is eight hours from here" 1 said
depreeatingly.
Il don't care if it is eighty"
'But think of your promise to Uncle Wallace
| not to go anywhere.
eve shall be away only one night and shall
1
| die of the blues if we don't have some amuse-
| ment."
demonstrated to the utmost of my ability
| but was overruled in the end as knew should
be. Nab having had her own way ever since
| she was baby, was not likely to relinquish her
| scepter at the ripe age of twenty. So the next
afternoon, armed with shawl-straps and small
yalse we betook ourselves to the railway sta
| ton, and bought tickets for San Vito.
"Mademoisee should inquire carefully the
! hours of the trains, the timetables are often
| inaccurate this line" said our smiling land
| lord, we departed.
| Our only fellow-traveler in the coupe was
| gentleman of about thirty. He was reading the
| Times as we entered but l noticed that he
seemed to take more interest in Mab's pretty
face than in the news Yet he was not in the
least Impairment and he apparently imagined
that his furtive but comprehensive glances were
quite unnoticed.
Every one admired Mabel-she was like sea-
shell or tea-rose or any decately tinted lovely
bit of nature-and l could not blame this man
for being only human. He had pleasant dark
| eyes, with plenty of fun in them, sleek dark
hair, a good length of limb, and a look of the
pa trician about him from the toe of his we'll
fitting boot to his finely shaped hand
AS the stranger had been thoughtful and
kind concerning the disposal of our luggage
and the arrangement of refractory curtains,
politeness demanded that should address him.
and we were soon chatting together like old
friends. He gave US his card, on which was
graved, Sidney Weir, Oaklands, Kent and
he CLEANED from our conversation that the
Misses Warburton, of EXham, were his travelling
companions. 1t suddenly occurred to me that
| was playing the chaperon very badly in max
ing advances to perfect stranger, and l tried
to brighten Nab into becoming propriety and re
serve; but when tattered myself that was
| looking my sternest she actually gave Mr. Weir
her pretty little hand to hold while he told her
fortune in the pink palm.
The subject of brio hrac having come up
Mr.. Weir produced curiously carved little sill
I Ln1
once saved his life in India. 1t had a peculiar
| shrill note, very penetrating and striking for
| so small an article and, used as signal Of dis
! tress, it had brought help when he was over
| powered by the enemy. He seemed pleased
| with Mabs warm admiration of the whistle,
| and, as she was returning it, he said simply
81 should be so pleased if you would accept
the little toy az keepsake. l shall only lose it
if it continues to jingle about with my keys and
small change; and perhaps it would serve as a
charm to ward off danger from you on some occa-
| sion. It's duty to me is done
Nab hesitated; but seeing the disappointed
look on Mr. Weirs face she took the little trink-
| ct with smile of thanks, and fastened it TO one
| of her bracelets. l thought it bold forward
| thing to do; but knew that my opinion or dis
| pleasure would make but little difference to my
| younger sister.
1t was growing late as we drew near the little
station of Gimino, where we should have to
! change cars for San Vito. Our companions des
| tination was a town further along the Gimino
! line would soon be obliged to separate.
was secretly pleased; but to Mr. Weir aud Nab
the time was slipping away altogether too quick
| ly Arrived at Gimino we made the very
| pleasant discovery that the San Vito tram had
gone On without and that there would be no
other till o'clock in the morning.
What will you do!' asked Mr.. Weir. 81
! have ten minutes to spare before my train goes;
if could be of any service to You in engaging a
room at the hotel. or in any other way, l should
be most happy"
81 think itwould be better not to go to the
hotel said Nab; 1--WE should never wake up for
the early train, and we have not the time to
wait for the next one"
''Yes"I answered. 1--WE could get some re-
freshment here, and stay in the waiting
till our train comes 1t is ii o'clock now, and
the times is not so very long. We can take a
comfortable nap in the waiting-room."
Something in WeirS manner betrayed that
he did not quite approve of our plan but he was
too polite to say anything against it. BE called
a waiter to attend to our wants and, in answer
to the second sharp cab from the locomotive
took his leave, lingering long over the hand
shake with Nab and disappeared in the dark
ness.
Il wish he hadn't gone feel lonely in this
strange place, said Nab, with little SILVER.
q Nonsense child 1t would have been obtrus-
i've and indelicate if he had remained. You
forget that we are only friends of day. Why
should he alter his plans for us2'
spoke boldly but l, too, was very i'll at ease.
The little cofee-room was gradually films with
rough-looking men, who watched us-the only
women in the place-furtively and curiously,
speaking language which but little under
stood The hotel was mile distant and we
could not take refuge in it at that hour of the
night, even if we had known the way,
NAB, how foolish of you to wear your
diamond ring a journey of this knd-it at
tracts attention. l said, in undertone as the
light caught the brilliant on her finger when she
raised her coffee-cup.
happened TO glance out of the window at that
instant and to my horror saw a man with
evil black eyes and grizzled hair staring ntently
| at Nab and me, with a wicked look about him
| which 1 could not forget. AS l caught his eye
ne SUNK away IN the aarKness' ana presently
waiting ROOM
| 1T is against the rules of the road to allow
| the waiting room to be occupied at night he
| said, but if you will be content without a
1 I l. u l-Ll- l. l.