Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1894-07-20

The German wore the tatuous grin
affected by people who listen to a
language which they do not un-
derstand.
At last the train slowed into
Blandin station, the frontier. Out
jumped the Misses Wylie with their
hand baggage. They calmly await
ed the approach of the officers.
Dat Numbered the German with his
fatuous smile. He sauntered up to
one Of the chiefs of the douane.
'Rien declarer,' said both ladies.
'EIu de cologne, dentelles, tobac,
spiritueuN (cologue water, lace,
tobacco, srlIits), the officer ran
of.
'Rien, H.. ~ said the Misses
Wyle.
The man said nothing more, and
the ladies, expecting the cry of Get
vO.ture, s'Il vous plaltp felt ex-
tremely hapny.
But at that moment the Offic al
to whom the German had been
speaking came up TO them aud said,
in very fair Eag!iSl: The ladies' are
fond of lace9'
Their hearts sank within them.
'Rather,' they conceded.
aud to carry it on the bonnet is
a convenient manner OF avoiding
the duty.'
They we're undonei
Bat we are wearing it, sCreeched
ApnOra. Melissa painted.
'Mesdames, admire your in
genuity, but such an amOant of
new lace cannot Ce passed even on
your bonnetS. Two, three, five
meters, be went on, measuring the
unlucky lace With his eye, 'ichu,
dOunce, etc. 50 many francs or |
l coudScate it,
'En vOitnres sill VOuS plait y was
heard.
The sum demanded by the officer
added TO what they had paid in
purchase wOuld have made the
lace the dearest that ever was
bought. They tore eff their bon.
nets, pulled ont innumerable pins,
set free the fichus. hounces, 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 unsuc-
ccsSful cheating is another,
and causes sharp pangS OF con-
science.
Too badr cried M-lesSa as the
train moved on. 'We were entitled
to what we wore.'
1T was that German, sad
AuDOra. lie understood English.
He heard what we said. He told
the official. Oh, man may grin
and grin aid be a villain!
They grOaned over their mlsfor'
tune. The first time the train
stopped the villain entered their
compartments still grinuing. They
glared at hin, but he still gTinned.
They took refuge in silence. He
began 10 speak:
Lldies,' be said in L)ndonese
English, Il was very sorry to have
to locur yoYr displeasure, but |
felt that it was my duty TO report
YOU al the dOnane. You had in
nOcently told me all about the lace
ol your bonnets, and for the credit
of our country, for the sake of
E0glish honesty, l was constrained
to point out your bonnets to that
Official. Cln you forgive meP No.
said AnDOra.
But Melissa thought thar, rot
withstauding his wicked cruelty,
there was something very p'eagant
i his smile.
81 entreat your forgiveness,
lad .es; more, humbly ask favor
'Sir p exclaimed Annora.
Miss Wylle. Miss AunOra Wylie'
the presumlng wretch had seen
their names on their luggage, even
their Christian names-'J on will
confer a great tavOr on me If yOn
will rell me your address,
AnuOra reddened; Melissa blush
ed. Perhaps he was ashamed OF
tue cruel part he had played and
was about to offer an apology; per-
hap, their brave and gentle en-
durance OF misfortune had touched
him; perhaps their charms had 80
won upon him that he wished to
see more of them, with a view to
their suppOsltlOns broke oil rapidly.
AnnOra looked at Melissa, and
and Melissa looked at AnnOra.
Then the elder sister spoke. 'We
live at 113 Angelina gardens
Edwin Square, Sjulh KensingtOn,
5. w!