The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-06-03
MAB'S KEEPSAKE.

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 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 disapprovsd OF
ladies travelling alone in foreign coun.
tries. was quite old enough to chap.
eron Nab withersoever she cared to 60,
but not being argumentative, agreed to
keep her and myself in strict seclusion
until our uncle reioinsd US.
But, after three days of our own So.
ciety, we both grew horribly mopisli.
Nab 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 confectioner's
and read our small library twice over.
"Effie, there is to be rural fete at
San Vito. Wednesday, and I am going, :"
Mable announced on the fourth day.
"San Vito is eight hours from here, I"
said, deprecatingly.
II don't care if it is eighty"
"But think of your promise to Unclo
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 best of my abil.
ity, but was overruled in the end, as I
knew 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
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, I"
said our smiling landlord as we de.
parted.
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 interest in Mab's pretty face than
| in the news. Yet he was not in the least
impertinent, and he apparently imagined
that his furtive but comprehensiv 0
| glances were quito unnoticed.
Every one admired Mabel-she was
like sea-shell, or tea-rose, or any dell
icately 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-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 Exham,
were his travelling companions.
1t suddenly occurred to me that was
playing the chaperon very badly in maxi
ing such advances to a perfect stranger,
and tried to frighten Nab into becom-
ing propriety and reserve. But, when
BATTERED 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 curiously.
carved little silver whistle from his
pocket, which he said had once saved his
life in India. 1t had a peculiar shril
note, very penetrating and striking for &C
small an article, and, used as o signal oi
distress, it had brought help when he
was overpowered by the enemy. He
seemed pleased with Mabs warm admir-,
alton of the whistle. and as she was ro
turning it, he said simply
II should be 80 pleased if you woult
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 tc
ward off danger from you on some occa'
Jion. Its duty to me is DONE"
Nab hesitated; but, seeing the disap
pointed look on Mr.. Weir's face. she tool
the little trinket with smile of tina nks
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 tt
my younger sister,