Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-07-02

MAPS KEEPSAKE.
Nab and I had been idling about in
Tuscany 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
little hotel, gave us liberal supply 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 a days absence Uncle Wal
lace highly disapproved of ladies travel
ing alone in foreign countries. I was
quite old enough to chaperon Nab
whithersoever she cared to go, out, not
being argumentative, I agreed to keep
her and myself in strict seclusion until
our uncle reioined 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-
toners, and had read our small library
twice over.
"Efie, there is TO be a rural fete at
San Vito, on Wednesday, and am GO
ing" Mabel announced on the fourth
day.
"San Vito is eight hours from here"
said deprecatingly. y
81 don't care if it is eighty" st3
"But think of your promise to Uncle
Wallace not to go anywhere"
We 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 overruled in the end, as
knew I should be. Nab, having had
her own way ever since she was 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
time tables are often 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 I 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 comprehen-
sive chances were quite unnoticed.
Every one admired Mabel-she was
like a sea-shell, or tea rose, or any
delicately tinted lovely bit of nature
and [ could not blame this man for be-
ing only human. He had pleasant dark
eyes, with plenty of fun in them, sleek
dark hair, good length of limb, and a
look of the patrician about him from
the toe of his well-ftting 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, onwl1ich was engraved,
Sidney Weir, Oakland, Kent" and he
cleaned from our conversation that the
Misses Warburton, of Exham, were his
travelling companions. 1t suddenly oc-
cured to me that / was playing the
chaperon very badly in. making such ad-
vances to a perfect stranger, and
tried to brighten Nab into becoming
propriety and reserve; but when l fat
tered 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 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. It had a peculiar
shrill note, very penetrating and strik-
ing for so small an article, and, used as
signal of distress, it had brought help
when ne was overpowered by the en-
envy. He seemed pleased with Mabs
warm admiration of the whistle, and,
as she was returning it, he said simply
II should be so pleased if you would
accept the little toy as keepsake I
shall only lose it if it continues to jim
gle about with S1ny keys and small
change; and perhaps it would serve as
a charm to ward off danger from you on
some occasion. It's duty to me is
DONE" G
Nab hesitated; but, seeing the disap-
pointed look on Mr.. Weir's face, she
took the little trinket, with a smile of
thanks, and fastened it to one of her
bracelets. I thought it a bold, forward
thing to do, but knew that my opin-
ion or displeasure would make but lit
tie difference to my young sister.
It was growing late as we drew near
the little station of Gimino, where we