Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1892-04-22
MAB'S KEEPSAKE.

Tuscany for some weeks with Uncle
Wallace, and we had many plans made
for more extended lournsyings, when
our uncle was suddenly obliged to return
to England on pressing business. As
we could not and would not accompany
him, he installed US in quiet little ho-
tel. and 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 re.
quiring longer than days absence-for
Uncle Wallace highly disapproved of
ladies travelling alone in foreign coun.
tries. was quite old enough to chap
eron Nab withersoeyer she cared to go,
but, not being argumentative, agreed to
keep her and myself in strict seclusion
until our uncle rejoined us.
But, after three days of our own so.
ciety, we both grew horribly mopish
Nab had made crooked little sketches az
the old cathedral till we both hated the
sight of the hoary edifice; we had tried
all the cakes in the little confectioner's
and read our small library twice over
"Effie, there is to be rural fete al
San Vito. Wednesday, and am going"
Mable announced on the fourth day
"San Vito is eight hours from here
said, deprecatingly.
IL don't care il it is eighty"
:" 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 il we don't
have some amusement
demonstrated to the best Of my abil
ity, 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 relinquish her sceptrs az
the ripe age of twenty. So the next
afternoon, armed with shawl straps and
a 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 de.
parted.
Our only fellow-traveler 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 Mabs pretty face than
in the news. Yet he was not in the least
impertinent, and he apparently imagined
that his furtive but comprehensive
glances were quite unnoticed.
Every one admired Mabel-shs was
like sea-shell OF tea-rose, or any del
icateIy 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. a good length Of limb, and look Of
the patrician about him from the toe ol
his well-titting 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, 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, Oaklands, Kent, :"
and he CLEANED from our conversation
that the Misses Warburton, of ExhaIn,
were his travelling companions.
1t suddenly occurred to me that was
playing the chaperon very badly in max
ing such advances to q perfect stranger
and tried to frighten Nab into becom
ing propriety and reserve. But, when
fattered 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 como
up, Mr.. Weir produced a curiously
carved little silver whistle from hb
pocket, which he said had once saved his
life In India. Ii had q peculiar shriIl
note, very penetrating and striking for 50
small an article, and, used as signal Of
distress. it had brought help when he
was overpowered BY the enemy. lie
seemed pleased with Mab's warm admir-
alton Of the whistle. and as she was re-
turning it, he said simply
Il should be so pleased il you would
accept the little toy as keepsake.
shall only lose it IL it continues to jingle
about with my keys and small change
and perhaps it would serve as charm to
ward of danger from you on some occa-
sion. Its duty to me is done.
Nab hesitated; but, seeing the iisap
pointed look on DIR. Weir's face. she toob
the little trinket with q smile Of tina nks
and fastened il to one Of her bracelets.
thought il n bold. forward thing to do