The Van Buren press., 1895-05-04


faction, that the slender figure, re-
lieved of its burden, drew itself more
erect, and moved forward with greater
ease.
The two girls, tramping Unprotected
along that lonely road which winds
down from the summit of the pass to
Italy, seemed quite free from any fear
Of danger. The discomfort Of rain
soaked clothing, boots heavy with
mud, and the fatigue consequent on
the long tramp, seemed TO be the only
cause of complaint they had.
you see, when one Is on walking
tour one can't stop for weather." re-
marked Betty, with a comprehensive
glance round at the mist-shrouded
mountains, the rain.lashed rocks show
ing their rich brown In vivid contrast
to the gray sky and patches Of vivid
green moss; zone must take the good
ind the bad just as they come, like the
rough and the smooth places on the
road. My friend and l are good walk
ers, and we enjoy tramp like this, in
spite of the weather."
l had got the idea that the girls were
sisters, although they were quite un-
like in personal appearance. Bit by
bit got to know more about my dam
sels-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 from
thence had pursued their tramp, stop
ping several days ON the road at Spon-
delak, Trafoi and Frapzenhohe.
I'VE 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; we quite love
the very straps and buckles. Do you
know Bormio at all?"
Iavowed my ignorance.
"Nor do we. There was an American
lady we met at Innsbruck who recon
mended the Nuovi Bagni to us. think
she thought us quite mad, but she was
extremely kind.
"Kittie.' she added, suddenly ad
dressing her companion, do look dowr
there at that leaping water; that must
be the AIDA"
"Ohl our first Italian river, Betty
How jolly" cried the enthusiastic
Kate, her gray eyes beaming out from
under her dripping hat brim.
Then she looked down to the valley
and tried, think, to realize that thi.
rain-beaten scene really was Italy.
"Cheer UP, Kittie; it will be fine to
To-
shine when it comes9"
1t was Betty who spoke. The
manner of the girls toward each othel
amused me; they seemed to take the
role Of guide and consoler in turns, JUS
as have no doubt they had taken it il
turns to carry the ruck-sack which
had now in my care.
The next morning was sumptuou
one. was soon dressed and out O
doors. caught the sound of WON
ans voice trilling out the refrain of al
Italian volkslied.
The lark-like joyousness of the sons
seemed in harmony with the glorious
morning In a dreamy mood listened
The singing voice hoated nearer.
caught sight of q white straw sailol
hat and pink cotton blouse.
Italian peasant girls do not attir,
themselves thus I am tritle shor
sighted, but, in very few moments,
was aware that the early-rising song
stress was Miss Kate Morrison. Aglanc,
at the hotel register had informed m,
Of the names Of my fellow pedestrians
She looked very pretty and fresh
the mass of light-brown hair wa.
twisted up neatly at the back OF hel
head. Clearly the luggage Of the two
girls had turned up, for there were nc
signs of travel stain about the trim blue
serge skirt and the crisply starchet
pink blouse. ----
wished her good morning and In
quired for her absent friend. "a N
'.Oh, Betty Is all right, thanks, only
rather sleepy. thought it pity tt
waste one single hour of this heavenly
morning, and wanted to make little
sketch from the bridge" -,- 4, &,
''An artist as well as a singer?' l in
4uHci, Sillltiiks 81 a SIS 80 "a
"Oh, you heard me chirruping, sup
pose. One must sing when one feel
SO utterly happy. Isn't the air ex
hilarating? But / must make my
sketchsi ! canTsit on the parapet-so-
and get just the view want"
Her busy pencil did its work will
great rapidity, and, when asked per
mission to look at the sketch, wa
really surprised at the masterliness o
her touch, and her knowledge of per
spective.
She closed her sketch book, and W,
walked back together to the hotel. Ii
the garden we met Miss Betty. She
too, looked dainty and fresh after he
nights rest. The same source of In
formation that had made me acquainte,
with Miss Kittie's name had told M
her's-Blount.
AT breakfast happened to mentor
her by name, and fancied look o
surprise crossed her face at the glib
ness with which uttered 1t. But he
manner showed no displeasure, and
was encouraged to offer my escort TO
m expedition to the town OF Bormio
The quaint, old-world place, with II
rough pavements and narrow streets
SO Italian in Its aspect, with the vel
low-washed houses and curious log
gias, and musty, silent church, de
lighted Miss Kittie, and gave much oe
cupation to her pencil. But Miss Blount
whose artistic superiority her frient
had proclaimed, did not make an,
sketches, although, no doubt, she store
up impressions for future use.
Nothing but violent wrench woul
have enabled me to leave Bormio.
fingered on, hugging my chains; an
the two girls, for what reason / knoy