The Evening dispatch. [volume] (Provo, City, Utah) 1891-1895, 1895-05-17

OuO foly SIlapS anu DuGhl6S- DO yOI
know Bormio at all?'
avowed my ignorance.
Nor do we. There was an American
lady we met at Innsbruck who recon.
mended the Nuovi Bagni to u.s. 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 AIDA.
ooh, our first Italian river, Betty
How jollyl" cried the enthusiastic Kate,
her gray eyes beaming out from under
her dripping hat brim.
Then she looked down the valley and
tried, think, to realize that this rain
beaten scene really was Italy.
"Cheer up, Kittie; it will be fine to-
morrow and Won t we reyel in the sun
shine when it comes?"
1t was Betty who spoke. The manner
of the girls toward each other amused
me. They seemed to take the role of
guide and consider in turns. just as,
have no doubt, they had taken it in
turns to carry the rucksack which l 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, Gavernous galleries rooted
with Stones built to protect the road
from avalanches. They chatted in a
friendly, embarrassed manner, and
the sound Of the fresh young voices and
the sight of the two pretty faces did
much to redeem the drea- mess of the
long, mOnotOnOuS road.
The next morning was sumptuous
one. 1 was soon dressed and out of
doors. [ caught the sound of a woman's
voice thrilling out the refrain of an Ital
ian volkslied
The larklike joyousness of the song
seemed in harmony with the glorious
morning. In dreamy mood listened.
The singing voice foated nearer 1
caught sight of white straw sailor hat
and pink cotton blouse.
Italian peasant girls do not attire
themselves thus 1 am a trife short
sighted, but in very few moments 1
was aware that the early rising song
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 no signs of
travel stain about the trim blue serge
skirt and the orisply starched pink
blouse.
| 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"
IAN artist as we'll as singer?'' in
quired, smiling.
"Oh, you heard my chirruping, sup
pose. One must sing when one feels so
utterly happy. Isn't the air exhilarat-
ing? But l must make my sketch. can
sit on the parapet-so-and get just the
view | want. -
Her busy pencil did its work with
great rapidity, and when 1 asked per-
mission to look at the sketch was real |
ly surprised at the masterliness of her
touch and her knowledge of perspective |
She closed her sketchbook, and we
walked back together to the hotel. In
the garden we met Miss Betty. She,
too, looked dainty and fresh after her
nights rest. The same source of infor-
nation that had made me acquainted
with Miss Kittie's name had told me
her s-Blount
At breakfast 1 happened to mention
her by name, and l fancied look of
surprise crossed her face at the glibness
with which l uttered it, But her man.
ner showed no displeasure, and was
encouraged to offer my escort for an ex~
petition to the town of Bormio. The
quaint, old world place, with its rough
pavements and narrow streets, so Ital-
ian in its aspect, with the yellow wash
ed houses and curious loggias, and
musty. silent church, delighted Miss
Kittie and gave much occupation to her
pencil. But Miss Blount, whose artistic
her friend had proclaimed,
did not make any sketches, although,
lbt, she stored up impressions for
iaour0 use.
Nothing but violent wrench would
have enabled me to leave Bormio. l
fingered on, hugging my chains, and
the two girls, for what reason l know
not, fingered too.
The place had curious charm. 1t
had the strength and grandeur of the
mountains and the glory and glamour
of the south. 4 week passed, during
which the two girls and were almost
always together. Their utter unconven-
surprised me, but it delighted
me too. Their plans were not fixed, but
had been said once or twice
about extending their walking tour to
the Engadine, by way of the Bernina
pass. I had just made up my mind that
where they went l would 60, for the
thought of Betty tramping unprotected
and exposed to the chance of insult filled
me with dismay. Already assumed to
myself the mans right of protection.
The two girls listened respectfully, al
most obediently, to my advice and made
no objection whatever when 1 declared
that 1, too, intended to visit the Enga-
dine and would go when they went.
In my own mind 1 had fully planned
how my romance was to end. 1 would
marry Betty. We should be poor, but !
knew her tastes were simple, and l
would work trebly hard and win sue
cess for myself and wealth for her be-
fore we were five years older. Of such
visions is love guilty!