Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-07-29
Gales aud Sketthes.
MiB'S KEEPSAKE.


was suddenly obliged to return to England
on pressing business. As we could not
and would not accompany him. he installed
US in a quiet little 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 a davis absence-for Uncle Wallace
highly disapproved of ladies travelling
alone in foreign countries. | was quite
old enough to chaperon Nab whitherso-
ever she cared to go; but, not being ar
gumentative. agreed to keep her and
myself in strict seclusion until our uncle
reioined US.
But, after three DAYS of our own socie-
tv, we both grew horribly mopish. Mao
had made crooked little sketches OF the
old cathedral till we both hated the sight
of the hoary edifice; we had tried all the
cakes in the little contectiOner's, and had
read our small library twice over.
''Effie, there is to be a rural tete at
San Vito on Wednesday, and | am 60
ing" 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"
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 relinqush her scepter at
the ripe age of twenty. 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.
"MademoiselIe should inquire carefully
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
noticed that he seemed to take more in
terest in Mab's pretty face than in the
news. Yet he was not the least imperti-
nent, and he apparently imagined that his
futive but comprehensive chances were
quite unnoticed.
Everyone admired Mabel-she was like
a 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 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 fitting
boot to his finely shaped head
AS the stranger had been thoughtful
and kind concerning the disposal of our
luggage and the arrangement of refrac-
tory curtains, polteness 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 Washburne of Exham were his
travelling companions. 1t suddenly &C.
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 | flattered 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, WI w Gil
little silver whistle from his pocket, which
he said had once saved mis- life in India
1t had peculiar shrill note, very pene-
trating and striking for so small an article
and, used as a signal of distress, it had
brought hell 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:
Il 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 a charm to ward
off danger from YOU on some occasion.
It's duty to me is done"
Nab hesitated; but, seeing the disap-
pointed look on Mr.. Weir's face she took
the little trinket, with smile of thanks,
and fastened it to one of her bracelets.
thought it bold forward thing to do;
but | knew that my opinion or displeas-
ure would make but little difference to nv
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 destination was
a town further along the Gimino line; so
we should soon be obliged to separate. |
was secretly pleased; but to Mr.. Weir
and Nab the time was slipping away al
together too quickly. Arrived at Gimino
we made the very unpleasant discovery
that the San Vito train had gone on with
out us and that there would be no other
till five O'Clock in the morning.
What will you do?" asked Mr.. Weir.
81 have ten minutes to spare before NV
/ train goes; if could be of any service to
/ you in engaging a room at the hotel. or
in any other way, should be most hap
Ipy."
/ II think it would be better not to 90 to
4 the hotel,' said Nab "we should never
wake up for the early train and we have
not the tine to wait for the next one''
Yes | answered, I'VE could get some
refreshments here, and stay in the waiting
room till our train comes. 1t is eleven
O'Clock now, and the time is not so very
long. We can take comfortable nap in
1 the waiting room"
/ Something in Mr.. Weir's manner be-
trayed that he did not quite approve of
/ our plans, but he was too polite to say
anything against it. He called waiter to
attend to our wants, and. in answer to the
second sharp call from the locomotive,