Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-07-31


bonnets. Two, three, five metres" he
went on, measuring the unlucky lace
with his eye, "fchu, founce and SC
forth; so many francs, or | coniscatt
it."
The sum demanded by the officer,
added to what they had paid in pur'
chase, would have made the lace the
dearest that ever was bought. They
tore off their bonnets, pulled out in
Vulnerable pins, set free the fichus,
founces, etc., put them into the Of
ficer's hands, and ran to their seats.
Out of breath and out of pocket, they
were most unhappy. Successful cheat
ing is one thing; but unsuccessful
cheating is another, and causes sharp
pangs of conscience.
"roo bad !" cried Melissa, as the
train moved on; "we were entitled to
what we wore"
cit was that German, said Annora.
"He understood English; he heard
what we said; he told the official. Oh,
a man may grin, and grin, and be o
villain |"
They groaned over their misfor'
tune. The first time the train stopped
the villain entered their compartments,
still grinning. They glared at him.
but he still grinned. They took refuge
in silence; he began to speak.
"Ladies," he said, in Londonese
English ~ was very sorry to have to
incur your displeasure, but felt that
it was my duty to report you at the
douane. You had innocently told mo
all about the lace on your hornets.
and for the credit of our country, for
the sake of English honesty, was
constrained to point out your bonnets
to that official. Can you forgive me?"
"No, said Annora.
Bat Melissa thought that, notwith-
standing his wicked cruelty, there
was something very pleasant in his
smile.
81 entreat your forgiveness, ladies;
more, humbly ask favor"
"Sir!" exclaimed Annora.
"Miss Wylie, Miss Annora
Wylie"- the presuming wretch
had seen their names on their
luggage, even their Christian names
-"you will confer n great favor on
me if you will tell me your address. !"
Anuora reddened, Melissa blushed.
perhaps he was ashamed Of the cruel
part he had played and was about to
offer an apology ; perhaps their brave
and gentle endurance Of misfortune
had touched him; perhaps their
charms had so won upon him that he
wished to see more of them, with o
viaw to-their suppositions broke of
abruptly.
Annora looked at Melissa and Me-
lissa looked at Annora. Then tho
elder sister spoke. "We live at 1l3,
Angelina Gardens, Edwin Square,
South Kensington, S. W."
The stranger made note Of the ad-
dress. Melissa was on the point OF
asking his name, when he said abrupt
ly, "You shall hear from me-" Then
he discoursed on the country through
which they were passing; after which
he buried himself in Figaro and
talked no more. At the next stoppage
he said a brusque Good morning,
ladies" an left the compartment,
and they saw no more ef him.
There was considerable futter IN
the breast of Melissa, who was of
romantic turn of mind, and who could
only imagine one reason why this
stranger should want her address.
She still believed that he was Ger
man who spoke English remerkably
we'll, and she had seen that he was not
q gentleman she therefore made up
her mind to refuse the offer Of mar
riage which, no doubt, he would
shortly make.
Arrived at Angelina Gardens, the
Misses Wylie were occupied in arrang-
ing the household, and a couple OF
busy days were spent by them. On
the third day after their homecoming
they received, by the same post, a
parcel and a letter. Annora opened
the carefuly-tied and sealed parcel
while Melissa read the letter. Having
read it once to herself she next read 1t
aloud to her sister
"Mesdames-I felt myself under
very great obligation to you the other
day at Blandain. l am very thin
man, but was swathed round with
hundreds OF yards Of fine Brussels lace,
and / thought that the best way OF
drawing the attention of the Custom
House officers from myself was to draw
it to you. 1t was purely in self-de'
fence that l directed the raid on your
bonnets. Having been the cause ol
the loss of your lace, wish to make
you due compensation, and beg leave
to send you some finer lace than that
which you lost.
81 am, obediently yours,
''YoUR STOUT FELLOW TRAVELLER. "
Melissa took possession of black
lace founce, and Annora of dozen
yards of white lace and lsced-edged
handkerchief, and they quite forgsve
the stout German for his cruelty and
for his stoutness. The Strand Mage
zine.