The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-04-24

W k0OW lDOTb dDOub my udIuSelS eTThIlU.
They had walked most of the way from
Innsbruck, through the Bremen 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 Franzenhohe.
1--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. We quite love
the very straps and buckles. Do you
know Bormio at all?''
l avowed my ignorance.
Nor do we. There was an American
lady we met at Innsbruck who recon-
mended the Nuovi Bagni to us. l think
she thought us quite mad, but she was
extremely k md.
'Kittie, he added. suddenly ad-
dressing her companion, "do look down
here at that leaping water. That must
be the AIDA"
"Oh, 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 revel in the sun
| shine when 1t comes?"
Independent though they were, the
girls seemed glad of my partnership,
especially when we passed through one
of the dark, oavernous galleries rooted
wit h11ll fn hn Il
from avalanches. They chatted 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 sumptuous
one. | was soon dressed and out of
doors. l caught the sound of a woman's
voice trilling 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 f1oated nearer. ]
caught sight of white straw sailor hat
and pink cotton blouse.
Italian peasant girls do not attire
themselves thus. | am trifle short
| sighted, but in a very few moments !
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
l wished her good morning and in
quired for her absent friend.
"Oh, Betty is all right, thanks, only
rather sleepy | 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 a singer?' in
CURED, 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. l can
sit on the parapet-so-and get just the
view l want. ~
| Her busy pencil did its work with
great rapidity, and when l asked per
mission to look at the sketch was real
ly surprised at the masterliness of hel
touch and her knowledge of perspective
She closed hcr sketchbook, and We
walked back together to the hotel Ii
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 | happened to mention
her by name, and l fancied a look OF
surprise crossed her face at the glibness
with which uttered it. But her man
ner showed no displeasure, and l was
encouraged to oNer 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
superiority her friend had proclaimed
did not make any sketches, although.
no doubt, she stored up impressions for
future use
Nothing but a violent wrench would
have enabled me to leave Bormio. |
fingered on, hugging my chains, and
the two girls, for what reason 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. A week passed, during
which the two girls and were almost
always together Their utter unconven,
tionality surprised me, but it delighted
me too. Their plans were not fixed, but
something had been said once or twice
about extending their walking tour to
the Engadine, by way of the Bernina
pass. l had just made up my mind that
where they went / would go, for the
thought of Betty tramping unprotected