The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-05-01
ping several days on the road at Spon-
delels. Trafoi and Franzenhohe.


eve shall stay ut Bormio a few dnys
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 ALP"
avowcd my ignorance.
Nor do we. There was an American
lady we met ut Innsbruck who recon.
mendcd 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 down
there ut that leaping water; that must
be the AIDA"
"Oh! our first Italian river, Bettyl
How jolly;" cried the enthusiastic
Kate, her gray eyes bcaming out from
under her dripping hat brim.
Then she looked down to 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 revel 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 ruck-sacls which I
had now in my care.
Independent though they were, the
girls seemed glad of my companion
ship. especially when we passed
through one of the dark, cavernous
galleries rooted with stones, built to
protect the road from avalanches.
They chatted in friendly, unembar-
raised manner, and the sound of the
fresh young voices and the sipht of
the two pretty faces did much to re-
deem the dreariness of the long monot-
onous road.
Inc next morning was sumptuous
one was soon dressed and out of
doors. I caught the sound of a wom-
ans voice trilling out the refrain of an
Italian volkslied.
The lark-like joyousness of the song
seemed in harmony with the glorious
morning. In dreamy mood 1 listened.
The singing voice hoated nearer.
caught sight Of white straw sailor
hat and pink cotton blouse.
Italian peasant girls do not attire
themselves thus. 1 am a trifle short
sighted, but. in very few moments, I
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 crisply starched
pink blouse.
wished her good morning and in
CURED for her absent friend.
ooh, Betty is all right, thanks, only
rather sleepy. 1 thought it pity to
waste one single hour of this heavenly
sketch from the bridge"
AN artist as we'll as singer?' I in
quired, smiling.
"Oh, you heard Inc chirruping, sup
pose One must sing when one feels
SO utterly happy. Isn't the air ex-
hilarating? But I must make M
sketch can sit on the parapet-so-
and &c t just the view want"
Her busy pencil did it's work with
great rapidity, and, when asked per-
mission to look at the sketch, was
really surprised at the masterliness of
her touch, and her knowledge of per.
spective.
She closed her sketch book, 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 in
formation that had made me acquainted
with Miss Kittie's name had told me
her's-Blount.
At breakfast happened to mention
her by name, and fancied a look of
surprise crossed her face at the glib
ness with which I uttered it. But her
manner showed no displeasure, and I
was encouraged to offer my escort for
an expedition to the town of Bormio.
The quaint, old-world place, with it's
Tough pavements and narrow streets,
SO Italian in its aspect, with the yell
low-washcd houses and curious log
gias, and musty, silent church, de-
lighted Miss Kittie, and gave much oc-
cupation to her pencil. But Miss Blount,
whose artistic superiority her friend
had proclaimed, did not make any
sketches, although, no doubt, she stored
up impressions for future use.
Nothing but violent wrench would
have enabled me to leave Bormio I
fingered on, hugging my chains; and
the two girls, for what reason 1 know
not, fingered too.
The place had curious charm; it had
the strength and grandeur of the noun
tains and the glory and glamour of the
south. a week passed. during which