The herald., 1898-02-20

fiSS hhdSHeu letter. der pen
scratched on busily. and just as the
Ave Maria fioated out from the belfry
of the Trinita del Monte, she gathered
UP her papers and went to the window,
with sigh, partly of relief, and partly
or rapture over the sunset glow.
A quick step was heard in the corri-
dor, and brisk, fair-haired little wo-
man burst into the room. fiinging a
dozen parcels upon the table, and her
self into chair before the open fire.
My dear Margaret" she gasped, do
let me have some tea. I'm completely
done for. What do you suppose I've
been doing since dejeuner? You know,
the Bronsons asked me to drive with
them on the Appian Way. 1t was their
! first experience, and I took a wicked
pleasure in seeing the destruction of
/ their preconceived notions. The Cap
tain was grlmly silent,-you can never
| take him by surprise! But Mrs. B.
was moved to the warmest expressions
of disapproval. And this is one of the
sights she groaned. do let us go back
to the Pin-see-o. Why, we have dozens
of prettier drives round Pttsburg.'
SO to the Pincio we went, and then
begged to be put down, and walked
over to Alinari's. where I got the Ra-
phael photographs you wanted. After
that simply flew about getting prizes
for tonight's euchre. Tell me II you
think I've made a good selection. The
first is this little bronze st. Peter in the
Chair. Isn't 1t perfect. especially the
toe? That cost more tnan ] meant TO
pay, but 1t is such a charming souve-
mir. The second is this paper-weight
with the Dying Gladiator on top; isn't
it Just too dear! For a consolation
prize bought loaf of good. substan-
tial American sponge-cake. l daresayi
there will be sharp competition for
that if we have the sort of dinner we
had last night"
Little Mrs. Ives paused for breath.
and Margaret poured the tea, while
she smiled at the recital.
What else?" she inquired. THAT is
hardly enough to have tired you,
Anne"
We'll" said her friend. II did lot
more. but first I must tell you ro-
mantle bit OF gossip Mrs. Hyde has just
whispered to me; and it is about you,
my lady!"
Margaret looked incredulous, but un-
disturbed. Her friends had q fancied
affaire du occur arranged for her al
most daily. but she was so unruffied
and placid through it all that they
were beginning to despair of her
''The elevator had, as usual stuck be-
tween the second md third stages
continued Mrs. Ives. "and while that
stupid porter, and several other
equally useless beings were making a |
wild endeavor to bulge US, Mrs HYDE |
and I had long talk. She asked me
if / had noticed the young Scotchman n |
at our table. You know. we did speak
of him, Margaret, and insisted that
with his tawny hair and mustache he
ought always to wear a Tam O'Shanter
and shooting-clothes.- is so exactly
like Blacks heroes. Now don't look so |
skeptical, my child,-he almost broke in |
two, leaning forward to watch you |
when you were talking with Captain |
Bronson at luncheon. Mrs. Hyde found |
that her husband knew him; they had |
met in the Trossachs year or so ago,
and this young Fairbairn confided to
the Hydes that he was desperately anx.
ious to know you. He said that Won
were so like some one he knows at
home.-that is. your profile, not your
full face-and he is evidently fascinat-
ed"
Margaret broke into irrepressible
laughter.
"My dear Anne" said she. "vour
canny Scot is plainly just a little mad.
No one was ever fascinated with nv
profile. Don't you know that always
make it a point to give full face view
to those of my friends whose good opin.
ion I cherish? How absurd. Besides.
n n n 90
days; it Is too much on the order of
faded flowers and locks of hair Please
don't tell me any more"
Just this" pleaded Mrs Ives, as she .
rose, picking up her euchre prizes, |
sacred and secular. "the girl whom you |
resemble so closely is also a Margaret,
and it is this coincidence that has so
completely bowled him over. ] dare
say she rejected him just before he left
home. Surely, that would be interest
ing?"
Very" replied Margaret, "but, what |
is still more interesting. you have ex-
actly fifteen minutes before dinner.
Don't keep me waiting, please; I've !
written eight letters for the American
mail, and am hungry enough to devour /,
your consolation prize on the spot"
AS Miss Raynor took her place at the
table d'hote, she glanced casually at ,
her new neghbor. Two seats beyond |
her, chatting with an elderly English
man. was the bright ht-faced, strong and |
sturdy young hero of Mrs. Ives story.
Margaret looked but for moment, yet |
he quickly turned and caught her eye, |
gazing at her for an almost inpercept-
ible instant, then she turned, with per-
feet composure, to speak to Captain
Bronson. An animated discussion. not
unlike that which took place nightly at
this festive meal. was in full swing.
LET us all refuse this horrible cur
ried mystery" exclaimed nervous lit
tie American. "then perhaps we need
never have it again." AS the others
laughed. she went on despairingly,
"0h, for a good beef-steak and some
sweet pota toes! Did I ever dream I
could crave a fish-ball?"
This outburst was followed by tender
among the older house,
keepers concerning certain tried and
treasured recipes all of which did not
serve to alloy discomfort of the par
takers of the present repast, and the
little American moaned feelingly every
time a beloved and familiar dish was
named
"Buckwheat cakes" she sighed
mine would make your hair curl and
as for my mothers corned-beef hash"
eyes rolling heavenward and heaving
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