The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-01-05

she could want, and ask after every posi-
BILE thing to obtain for her. A rug, foot
stool, wrap for her shoulders-for the
wind blew keen, and she hadno better COW
ering than this thin cloth jacket on-noth-
ing was forgotten; and then down / sat
close beside her, as happy as any young
Tom Noddy of eighteen. | had quite for
got how Ihad valued the superiority of my
single estate on other occasions; it never
entered my head to wonder what the other
passengers thought of me; they might
think what they pleased, | did not care
sharing the rug between us, and as we got
further on, an extra wrap, too-the enjoy
ment of the passing hour was enough for
me: a little golden head rested on nv
shoulder, and every now and again there
smiled up into my face two eyes of heav-
enlv blue.
sly on are not frightened" often whis-
pered.
mot bit"
"Didn'tI tell you so? There is nothing
to be afraid of on the sea-"
mot like this there isn't" she said,
naively; 81 should not mind going ever SO
far with you"
Although l did not say so, my own incli.
nation echoed the sentiment.
SIS my head too heavy? Am l leaning
too much" she asked, anxiously.
"No; what makes you suppose sop
quickly-that is your heart, isn't it2''
she stretched out her hand, patting M1o
her fingers gently.
"Somewhere about that spot-at least"
added, calamity" that is the spot where it
used to be-"
ais it there nowp'
"Well | am not quite sure; was just be-
ginning to wonder if it hadn't strayed off a
little way"
so, the wanderer!" she exclaimed, laugh
ing; 81 wonder how long it means to be be-
fore it comes back again"
Already on my lips | found Already an
swer, which, no more than the rest of the
conversation, need be set down against me;
enough to tell that [ sighed discontentedly
as we approached the shore; aud my com
fort was not much increased by the fact
that my little companion was resolved to
go on by the train which started as soon as
the examination of the luggage set us free.
In vain | suggested dinner or tea and then
going on by the train which followed after
she was memorable.
''Perhaps it is arranged that some one
will be there to meet your"
''No"-she did not expect to be met by
anybody.
'Then, you must let me see you as far as
the end of your destination in safety"
"Will you" she said, gladly; but you
do not know where it is"
81 shall though, when you tell me. was
going to ask you to give ME permission to
call and inquire after you thought per-
haps that, being a stranger i'll London, you
would let me take you to see some of the
sights there.'
so, monsieur! but you are too kind to
me-"
"The lady of the school need not know
how short our acquaintance has BEEN"
went on, warily; ''she can suppose that
am friend of the family"
"But certainly you are, since YOU have
been so good friend to me-"
'Then, we'll arrange our programme
during our up journey. And now to get
our luggage through without delay"
eff we miss I'll meet you on the plat
form"
"But we shan't!" was going to give the
reason why when the pushing crowd seemed
to separate her from me, and it was not
until the train was about to start that we
again Joined company.
"What a fright you gave me-" I ex-
claimed, when by reason of a heavy tip to
the guard, we were off in a carriage with
out other passengers. 81 thought l had
lost you"
80, saw you all the time. I got my
box at once and then | sat down behind
some ladies and watched you"
"Was yours wooden box painted in
stripes with blue ribbons tied to the han
dles?"
"Yes, did you notice it,"
1t was next to impossible not to, bnt
kept this to myself, merely saying: "Tben,
shall be able to spare you all trouble at
Victoria Station, and when l go for my
luggage can bring yours"
And can keep the cab by sitting in it
till you come. And now about afterward.
When will you call for me, and what will
you take me to Seep'
Her cheeks were flushed, her ewes spark.
ling in anticipation; it was the face and
air of happy child looking forward to a
holiday.
''How old are you?" said irrelevantly
Just over eighteen. Last month was
my birthday"
SIS it possible? Then you are quite a
woman"
They tell me 1 ought to be. Doy you think
so, too?'
81 think you ought to be as you areu-I
could have added adorable, charming,
lovely, but prudence withheld me; and
without giving me another opportunity she
launched into her history, telling me as it
seemed to occur to her about her father. his
means, his disappointment, and finally that
her name was Sara de Montmorenci. In
exchange she had to listen to some portions
of my history; that | had when almost a
boy gone to India; how had come back,
and now was about to return there.
grew quite pathetic over the picture gave
of the loneliness of my situation and it
was quite i'll keeping with the tender dispo-
sition of my hearer that she should take
my hand and on it drop tear. kissed
that tear away, and as l did so my eyes
fell on her; her face grew afiame, and feel
ing it was so, with charming artlessness
She covered it with her hands to hide it
from me.
All, well journeys such as those seem
very short ones. l remember this came to
an end before thought it possible we had
got more than half way. The glare from
the lights of the station reused me from o
delicious dream, and we had reached the
end of our journey. The fatigues of the
day were telling on the poor child-she had
fallen asleep and was still drowsy.
''You are sure that you think you will
know my box" she murmured.
''I will try," said, confidently, shutting
the door of the cab in which she was seat.
ed and bidding the driver keep sharp
lookout for me, and away went, and as /
turned to go / saw her blow kiss TO me.
"Im so sorry to disturb you"
My head was in the cab. At nv heels
stood an irate French woman, chattering
and gesticulating about the striped box,
whose heavy weight rested on the should.
ers of a understanding porter. A great
deal of what the foreign lady said was lost
to me, but was able to comprehend so
much that she claimed this luggage as her
own, and to settle the matter had brought
her along to the rightful owner. Full OF
my difficulty, was already launched into
explanations when / perceived that the
cab was empty. Upon the seat stood NV
sticks and umbrellas, but the place which