Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1884-08-07
MAB's KEEPSAKE.

AL kAo - -A1AG 9A A6.
Nab and 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
return 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 allowance OF
pocket money, and left us with strict in
functions to remain quietly where We
were until his return. We were to make
no excursions requiring longer than a
days absence-for Uncle Wallace highly
disapproved of ladies travelling alone in
foreign countries. l was quite old
enough to chaperone Nab whithersoever
she cared to go, but, not being argumen-
tative, agreed to keep her and myself
in strict seclusion until our uncle re-
joined 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
A.e sight of the hoary edifce, we had
tried all the cakes in the little confec-
toners, and had read our small library
twice over.
.Effie, there is to be rural fete at
San Vito on Wednesday, and 1 am
going" Mabel announced on the fourth
day.
''San Vito is eight hours from here, "
said, deprecatingly.
Il don't care if it is eighty"
''But think of your promise to Uncle
Wallace not to go anywhere"
I'VE shall be away only one night;
and shall die of the blues if we don't
have some amusement y
demonstrated to the utmost of nv
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 scepter
at the ripe age of twenty. So the next
afternoon, armed with shawLstraps
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, y
said our smiling landlord as we departed.
Our only fellow traveller in the coupe
was a 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 imperti-
nent, and he apparently imagined that
his furtive but comprehensive glances
were quite unnoticed.
Every one admired 8Iabel-she was
Ike a sea-shell, or tea rose, or any deli
cately 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 look
of the patrician about him from the toe
of his well-ftttng 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 that the
Misses Warburton, of Exham, were his
travelling companions 1t suddenly oc-
Cured to me that I was playing the
chaperone very badly in making such
advances to a perfect stranger, and
tried to frighten Nab into becoming pro-
priety and reserve; hut, when 1 fatter-
ed myself that I was looking my stern
est, 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 curiously
carved little silver whistle from his
pocket, which he said had once saved Iii
life in India. 1t had peculiar shrill
note, very penetrating and striking fol
50 small an article, and, used as signal
of distress, it had brought help when he
was overpowered by the enemy. He
seemed pleased with Mab's warm ad-
miration 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 loose il if it continues 10 jingle
about with my keys and small change