McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-06-12
MAB'S KEEPSAKE.

Nab and / had been idling about in
Tuscancy for some weeks with Uncle
Wallace, and we had many plans made
for more extended journeyings, 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 quiet lit
tie hotel, gave us a liberal amount of
pocket money, and left us with strict
lnJunctions to remain quietly where we
were until his return. We were to
make no excursions requiring longer
than a days absence-for Uncle Wal
lace highly disapproved of ladies travel
ing alone in foreign countries. I was
quite old enough to chaperon Nab
withersoever she cared to go; but, not
being argumentative, agreed to keep
her and myself in strict seclusion until
our uncle 1ejoined us.
But, after three days of our own So
ciety, 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 confec-
TONER'S, and had read our small library
twice over.
"Effie, there is to be rural fete at
San Vito on Wednesday, and am 60
ing" Mable announced on the fourth
day.
''San Vito is eight hours from here, "
1 said deprecatingly.
SCI don't care if it is eighty.
''But think of your promise to Uncle
Wallace not to 60 anywhere.
owe shall be away only one night !;
and shall die of the sblues' it we don't
have some amusement
demonstrated to the utmost of my
ability, but was over1uled 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 twenty. So
the next afternoon, armed with shawl
straps and small valise, we betook
ourselves to the railway station and
bought tickets for San Vito.
"Mademoiselle should inquire care
fully the hours of the trains, as the
timetables are ofte inaccurate on this
line," said our smiling landlord as we
departed.
Our only fellow traveller in the coupe
was gentleman of about thirty. He
was reading the Times as we entered :;
but noticed that he seemed to take
more interest in Mab's pretty face than
in the news. Yet he was not the least
impertinent; and he apparently mag
ined that his furtive but comprehensive
chances were quite unnoticed.
Every one admired Mabel-she was
like sea-shell, or a tea-rose, or any
delicately-tinted lovely bit of nature
and could not blame this man for
being only human. He lad pleasant
dark eyes with plenty of fun in them,
sleek dark hair, a good length of limb,
and look of the patrician about him
from the toe of his we'll fitting boot to
his fnely-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 en-
graved, "Sidney Weir, Oakland, Kent ~
and he CLEANED from our conversation
that the Misses Warburton of Exham
were his travelling companions. I sud-
denly occurred to me that was play
ing the chaperon very hardly in making
such advances to perfect stranger,
and [ tried to brighten Nab into becom-
ing propriety and reserve; but, when l
fattered myself that 1 was looking my
sternest, she actually gave Mr.. Weir
her pretty lite hand to hold while he
told her fortune in the pink palm.
The subject of bric-a-brac having
come up, Mr.. Weir produced curious.
ly-carved little silver whistle from his
pocket, which he said had once saved
his life in India. Ii had peculiar shrill
note, very penetrating and striking for
so small an article, and used as sig
nal of distress, it had brought help
when he was overpowered by the
enemy. He seemed pleased with Mab's
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 as keepsake.
shall only lose it if it continues to Jingle
about with my keys and small change
and perhaps it would serve as charm
to ward off danger from you on some
occasion. Its duty to me is done.'
Nab hesitated; but, seeing the dis
appointed look on MIR. Weir's face, she
took the little trinket, with a smile of
thanks, and fastened it to one of her
bracelets. I thought it bold, forward
thing to do, but l knew that my opinion
or displeasure 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 carriages for
San Vito. Our companions destina-
ton was town further along the Gim-
inc line, so we should soon be obliged
to separate. 1 was secretly pleased;