Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-04-24


 ill personal appearance. Bit by bit got to know moro about my damSels errant They had walked most of the way from Innsbruck. through the Brenner pass to Botzen. There they had taken the train to Meran, and thence had pursued their tramp, stopping several days on the road at Spondelak. Trafoi and Franzsnhohe.
 We shall stay at Bormio few days and rest. and then we shall meet our bags again. You can't think how glad we are to see those bags WeQuite love the very straps and buckles Do you know Bormio at all?"
 1 avowed my ignorance.
 "Nor do we. There was an American lady we met at Innsbruck who reoom- mended the Nuovi Bagni to us. I think she thought us quite mad, but she was extremely kind
 ''Kittie," she added. suddenly ad- dressing her companion, ''do look down here at that leaping water. That must be the Adda
 "Oh, our first Italian river, Betty How jollyI" cried the enthusiastic Kate, her gray eyes beaming out from under her dripping hat brim.
 Then she looked down the valley and tried, I think, to realize that this rain beaten scene really was Italy.
 'Cheer up, Kittie; it will be fine to- morrow and won't We revel in the sun shine when it comes?"
 It was Betty who spoke. The manner of the girls toward each other amused me. They seemed to take the role of guide and cousoler in turns. just as, l have no doubt, they had taken it in turns to carry the rucksack which 1 had now in my care.
 Independent though they were, the girls seemed glad of my companionship, especially when we passed through one of the dark. cavernouS galleries roofsd with stones, built to protect the road from avalanches. They ohattsd in Q friendly, unembarrasSed manner. and the sound of the fresh young voices and the sight of the two pretty faces did much to redeem the dreariness of the | long, monotonous road.
 The next morning was Q sumptuous one. 1 was soon dressed and out of doors. caught the sound of q woman's S voice trillinG out the refrain of an Ital ian volkslied.
 The larklike joyouSneSS of the song seemed i'll harmony with the glorious morning In O dreamy mood listened. The singing voice 6oatSd nearer. caught sight of white straw sailor hat and pink cotton blouse.
 Italian peasant girls do not attire themselves thus I am trifle short sighted, but in very few moments I | hot fI,,,o ,tc stress was Miss Kate Morrison. A glance at the hotel register had informed me of the names of my fellow pedestrians
 She looked very pretty and fresh. The mass of light brown hair was twisted up neatly at the back of her head. Clearly the luggage of the two girls had turned up. for there were ne signs of travel stain about the trim blue serge skirt and tine crisply starched pink blouse
 1 wished her good morning and in quired for her absent friend
 "Oh, Betty is all right, thanks, only rather sleepy. l thought it pity to waste one single hour of this heavenly morning, and wanted to make little sketch from the bridge"
 | quired, smiling.
 "Oh, you heard my chirruping, sup pose. One must sing when one feels SC utterly happy. Isn't the air oxhilarat- ing? But I must make my sketch. I can 1 sit on the parapet-so-and get just the view l want"
 Her busy pencil did it's work with great rapidity, and when asked per, mission to look at the sketch was real. ly surprised at the maStsrlineSs of hsI touch aud har knowledge of perspective.
 She clessd her sketch beck, and va walked back together ts the hStel. h the garden we met Miss Betty. She, too, looked dainty and fresh after hel nights rest The same source of infer nation that had made me acquainted with Miss Kittio's name had told mt her 's-Blount
 At breakfast l happened to nentisI her by name, and faneisd a lssk s surprise crossed her face at the glibRss' with which uttered 1t. Bat her man ner showed Be displsaSurs, and wal encouraged ts 0ffsr my escort fer aR sx petition to shs tswR sf Bernie. Th' quaint, cid wSrld place, with its reugl pavensnts and narrOw streets, SC ItAl ian in its aspect, with the ysllow wash ed houses and curious lsESias, an, musty, silent church, delighted 4iS Kistis and gave mach occupation ts hs pencil. But Miss BlsuRt Hhoss artisti superiority her friend had proclaimed did net make any sketches, althOugh h nc doubt, she stored up impressions to future use.
 Nothing but violent wrench would have enabled mo to leave Bormio. fingered on. hugging my chains, anC the two girls. for what reason I know not, fingered too.
 The place had Q curious charm. I had the strength and grandeur of th, mountains and tho glory and glamou of the south. A week passed, during which the two girls and were almoS always together. Their utter unconven . tiOnality surprised me, but it deliShte, me too. Their plans wero not fixed, bu something had been said once or twic about extending their walking tour the Engadine, by way of the Bernin pass l had just made up my mind tha where they went l would go, for th thought of Betty tramping unprotecte and exposed to the chance of insult file me with dismay. Already assumed t T myself the mans right of protection.
 The two girls listened respectfully. a most obediently, to my advice and mad !, no objection whatever when declare i. that I, too, intended to visit the Enga = dine and would go when they went
 In my own mind had fully planne ~ how my romance was to end. woul marry Betty. We should be poor. but r knew her. tastes vera simple. and
 would work trebly hard and win su' cess for myself and wealth for her b,