The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-05-20

De passed even on your DOnn0tS Two,
three, five meters, he went on, meas
uring the unlucky lace with his eye,
'fichu, fiounce, etc. So many francs or
conHscate it.
"En voiture, sill vous plaitl'' was
heard.
The sum demanded by the officer add
ed to what they had paid in purchase
would havo made the lace the dearest
chat ever was bought. They tore off
their bcnnets, pulled out innumerable
pins, set free the fchus, flounces, etc,
put them into the officers hands and
ran to their seats Out of breath and
out of pocket, they were most unhappy.
Successful cheating is one thing, but
unsuccessful cheating is another and
causes sharp pangs of conscience.
"Too badl' cried Melissa as the train
moved ON. 1--WE were entitled to what
we wore.
ut was that German" said Annora.
"He understood English. He heard
what we said. He told the official. Oh,
q man may grin and grin and be vii
lainr"
They groaned over their misfortune.
The first time the train stopped the vii
lain entered their compartment, still
grinning. They glared at him, but he
still grinned They took refuge in ST.
lence. He began to speak:
Ladies' he said in Londonese Eng
lish, II was very sorry to have to incur
your displeasure, but felt that it was
my duty to report you at the douane.
You had innocently told me all about
the lace on your bonnets, and for the
credit of our country, for the sake Of
English honesty, was constrained to
point out your bonnets to that official.
Can you forgive me?"
NO." said Annora-
But Melissa thought that, notwith-
standing his wicked cruelty, there was
something very pleasant in his smile.
81 entreat your forgiveness, ladies';
more, 1 humbly ask favor"
"Sir?" exclaimed Annora.
miss Wylie, Miss Annora Wylie'-
the presuming wretch had seen their
names on their luggage, even their
Christian names-''you will confer a
great favor on me if you will tell me
your address.
Annora reddened; Melissa blushed
Perhaps he was ashamed Of the cruel
part he had played and was about to
offer an apology; perhaps their brave
and gentle endurance of misfortune had
touched him; perhaps their charms had
SO won upon him that he wished to see
Af with wiz M fhair.
suggestions broke off rapidly.
Annora looked at Melissa, and Melissa
looked at Annora. Then the elder sister
spoke. I'VE live at 113 Angelina gar
dens, Edwin square, South Kensington,
S. w"
The stranger made a note of the adj
dress. Melissa was on the point of ask
ing his name when he said abruptly,
"You shall hear from me. :" Then he
discoursed ca the country through which
they were passing, after which he buried
himself in Figaro and talked no more
At the next stoppage he said brusque
Good morning, ladies, and left the
compartment, and shcy saw no more Of
him.
There was considerable futter in the
breast of Melissa, who was of a roman
tic turn of mind, and who could only
imagine one reason why this stranger
should want her address. She still be-
lieved that he was German who spoke
English remarkably well, and she had
seen that he was not a gentleman; she
therefore made up her mind to refuse
the offer of marriage which no doubt he
would shortly make.
Arrived in Angelina gardens, the
Misses Wylie were occupied in arrang-
ing the household, and couple of busy
days were spent by them On the third
day after their home coming they re-
ceived by the same post parcel and a
letter. Annora opened the carefully tied
and sealed parcel, while Melissa read
the letter. Having read it once to her.
self, she next read it aloud to her sister:
MEsDAMEs-I felt myself under very great
obligation to you the other day at Blandain. /
am q very thin man, but was swathed round
with hundreds of yards of fine Brussels lace,
and l thought that the best way of drawing
the attention of the custom house officers from
myself was to draw it to you. 1t was purely in
self defense that directed the raid on your
DOnnetS. having Decn the cause Oh the lOSS OF
your lace, wish to make you due compensa-
ton, and beg leave to send you some finer
lace than that which you lost. / ana obedient-
lyyours, Your STOUT FELLOW TRAVELLER.
Melissa took possession of a black
lace fiounce and Annora Of dozen yards
Of white lace and lace edged handker-
chief, and they quite forgave the stout
German for his cruelty and for his stout
fess. r. Bayard Harrison in Strand
Magazine. .-1 .