River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-07-03
MiB'S KEEPSAKE.

Nab and | had been idling about in
Tuscany for some weeks with Uncle
Wallace, and we had many plans made
for more extended iourneyings, when
our uncle was suddenly obliged to re-
turn to England on pressing business.
As we could not and would not accom-
pany him, he installed us in a quiet lit
tie hotel, gave us liberal allowance of
pocket money, and left us with strict
injunctions to remain quietly where we
were until his return. We were to
make no excursions requiring longer
than days absence for Uncle Wallace
highly disapproved of ladies travelling
alone in foreign countries. / was quite
old enough to chapsron Nab whittier
soever she cared to go, but, being argu-
mentative, I agreed to beep her and
myself in strict seclusion until our I'M
Gle reioined US.
But, after three days of our own socie-
", we both grew horribly mopish.
Nab had made crooked little sketches
of the old cathedral till we both hated
ihe sight of the hoary edifce, we had
tried all the cakes in the little confec
toners and had read our small library
twice over.
"Eflie, there is to be rural fete at
San Vito on Wednesday, and am 60
ing" Mabel announced on the fourth
day.
"San Vito is eight hours from here, I"
said deprecatingly.
II 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 die of the blues if we don't
have some amusement"
/ demonstrated to the utmost of my
ability, but was oyerruled IN the end, as
| knew | should be- Nab, having had
her own way ever since she was a baby,
was not likely to relinquish her sceptre
at the ripe age of DO So the next after
noon, armed with shawl-straps and a
small valise, we betook ourselves to the
railway station and bought tickets for
San Vito.
"Mademoiselle should inquire careful
ly the hours of the trains! as the time
tables are often inaccurate on this line,
said our smiling landlord as we depart
ed
One only fellow traveller in the coupe
was a gentlemen of about 80. He was
reading the Times as we entered, but
noticed that he seemed to take more in
terest in Mab's pretty face than in the
news. Yet he was not the least imper-
tinent, and he apparently imagined that
his furtive but comprehensive glances
were unnoticed.
every one admired Mabel she was
| like a sea shell, or tea-rose, or any deli
catelv tinted lovely bit of nature-and
/ could not blame this man for being
only human He had pleasant dark
eyes, with plenty of fun in them, sleek
| dark hair, good length of limb, and q
look of the patrieian 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 refrac-
tory curtains, politeness demanded that
/ should address him, and we were soon
| chatting together like old friends. He
gave us his card, on which was engraved
'Sidney Weir, Oaklands, Kent" and
| he CLEANED from our conversation thai
the Misses Warburton, of Exham, Were
his travelling companions. 1t suddenly
| occurred to me that | was playing the
chaperon very badly making such adj
vances to a perfect stranger, and tried
to brighten Nab into becoming propriety
and reserve: but, when / flattered my
self that | was looking my sternest, she
actually gave Mr.. Weir her pretty little
hand to hold while he told her fortune If
the pink palm.
The subject of bric-brac having com
up, Mr. Weir produced curiously
carved little silver whistle from his
| pocket, which he said had once saved
| his life in India 1t had a peculiar
| shrill note. very penetrating and strlk-
| ing for so small an article, and, used as
| q signal of distress, it had brought help
| when he was overpowered by the en-
envy. He seemed pleased with MAIDS
warm admiration of the whistle, and,
as she was returning it, he said sim
ply
II should be so pleased if you would
accept the little toy as keepsake.
| shall only lose it if it continued to jim
| gle about with my keys and small
change; and perhaps it would serve as a
| charm to ward off danger ON some occa-
sion. It's duty to me is done.
Nab hesitated but, seeing the dis
| appointed look on Mr. Wier's face, she
! took the little trinket, with smile Of
! thanks, and fastened it to one Of hel
| bracelets. / thought it bold forward
| thing to do; dut | knew that my opin-
| ion or displeasure would make hut lit
| tie difference to my younger sister.
1t was growing late as We drew neal
| the little station of Gimino, where We
should have to change carriages for Sar
Vito. Our companions destination was
town further along the Gimino line
| so we should soon be obliged to sepa
rate. / was secretly pleased; but tx
Mr.. Weir and Nab the time was slip
| ping away altogether too quickly. AR
| rived at Gimino we made the very nm
pleasant discovery that the San Vito
| train had gone on without us and thai
! there would be no other till the morning
"What will you do" asked Mr.. Weir
Il have 10 minutes to spare before ny
train goes; if l could be of any service
to You in any other way, | should b'
most happy"
81 think it would be better not to e
to the hotel" said Nab; Eve SHOULD
never wake up for the early train ant
we have not the time to wait for thu
| next one.
Eyes, ANSWERED, eve could getsom'
refreshments here, and stay in the wait
| ing-roo till our train comes. 1t Is Il
o'clock now, and the time is not so yer.
| long. We can take comfortable MAJ
| in the waiting-room.
Something in Mr.. Weir's manner be
| trayed that he did not approve Of ou
| plan, but he was too polite to say any
thing against it. He called waiter t
attend to our wants, and, in answer t.
the second sharp call from the locomo
tive, took his leave, lingering long owe
the hand-shake with Nab, and disap
peared in the darkness.
II wish he hadn't gone. ] feel lionel.
in this strange place" said Nab, with
little shiyer.
Nonsense, ehildi 1t would hav
been obtrusive and indelicate if he hat
remained You forget that we are onl