The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-02
MISS WINCHELSEA'S HEART,
BY H. WELLS.
copyrighted. 1895, by H. C. WELLS.

abundantly into her conversation that
quite number of people who were not
going to Rome. and who We're not likely
to go to Rome, had made it a personal
grievance against her.
Some indeed had attempted quite I'M
availiugly to convince her that Rome WAS
not nearly such desirable place as It
was reported TO be, and others had gone
so far as TO suggest behind her back that
she was dreadfully stuck up" about
that Rome OF hers" And little Lily
that SO far as she was concerned Miss
Wnchelsea might go TO her Old Rome
and stop there; she Miss Lily HardhursO
wouldn't grieve." And the way in which
Miss Winchelsea put herself upon terms
OF personal tenderness with Horace and
Benvenuto Cenini and Raphael, and shei-
ley and Keats-if she had been Sheley's
widow she could not have professed a
keener interest in his grave-was a mat
ter of universal astonishment
Her dress was a triumph of tactful dis
oretion. sensible but not too "touristy'-
Miss Winchelsea had a great dread OF be
ins too "touristy' -and her Baedekker
was carried in a cover of grey to hide its
glaring red. She made prim ana pleas
ant little figure on the Charing Cross plat
form, in spite of her swelling pride; when
at last the great day dawned and she
could start for Rome. The day was bright,
the channel passage would be please Mt,
and all the omens promised well. There
was the gayest sense of adventure in
this unprecedented departure.
She was going with Two friends VINO
had been fellow students with her at the
Training College, nice honest girls both,
though not SO good at history and utera-
ture as Miss Winchesea. They both
looked up to her immensely though physl-
cally they had to look down, and she ans
ucipated some pleasant times to be spent
in stirring them up" to her own pitch
OF aesthetic and historical enthusiasm.
They had secured seats already and well
coined her effusively at the carriage door.
In the instant criticism of the encounter
she noted that Fanny had p slightly
"touristy' leather strap and that Helen
had succumbed to a serge jacket with side
pockets into which her hands were thrust.
But they were much too happy with them
selves ana the expedition for their friend
to attempt any hint at the moment about
these things.
As soon as the first ecstasies were over
-Fanny's enthusiasm was little noisy
and crude, and consisted mainly in en-
phatic repettions Of Just fancy were
going to Rome, my dear! RomeP-thay
gave their attention 70 their fellow trav-
elers. Helen was anxious to secure a
Themselves n grfaS
to discourage intruders got out and plant-
ed herself firmly on the step. Miss Win
chelsea peeped out over the shoulder, and
made sly llttle remarks upon the accunu-
lating people on the platform, at which
Fanny laughed gleefuuy.
They We're travelling with one Of MI.
Thomas Hunu's parties-fourteen days in
Rome for ia. They did not belong TO the
personally party of course
Miss Winchelsea had seen to that-but
they Travelled with il because of the con
Venience Of that arrangement. The peo-
pie were the oldest miXture, and wonder
fully amusing There wak a vociferous
red-faced poyglot personal conductor in
a pepper and salt suit, very long in the
arms and legs and very active He shout
ed proclamations. When he wanted 10
speak to people he stretched out an arm
and held them until his purpose was ac-
complished one hand was fun OF papers,
TICKETS, COunltflOlS OF TOURISTS.
The people of the personally conducted
party were, it seemed, of two sorts; peo-
pie the conductor wanted and could not
find, and people he did not want and who
followed him in a steadiy-growing tail up
and down the platform These people
seemed indeed to think that their one
chance of reaching Rome lay in keeping
close to him. Three little old ladies were
particularly energetic in his pursuit, and
at last maddened him to the pitch of clap
ping them into a carriage and daring them
TO emerge again.
For the rest of the time, one, two or
three of their heads protruded from the
window wailing inquiries about "a little
Wickerwork box" whenever he drew near.
There was a very stout man with a very
stout wife in shiny black, there was a lit
tie Old man. like an aged ostler.
What can such people want. in Rome?'
asked Miss Winchelsea. What can 1t
mean to them?"
There was a very tall curate in a very
small straw hat, and a very short curate
encountered by a long camera stand. The
contrast amused Fanny very much. once
they heard some one calling for "Snooks."
Il always thought that name was in
vented by noveiists." said Miss Winchel-
sea. Fancy! Shocks! / wonder which is
Mr.. Shocks"
Finally they picked out a very stout and
FeSOiule lutte man III large cHeGk suit.
If he isn't Shocks, he ought to be-
said Miss Winchelsea.
Presently the conductor discovered Hell
ems attempt at a corner in carriages.
Room for FIVE" he bawled, with q par
aliel translation on his fingers. party of
four together-mother, father. and two
Observation-Disclosures in, all greatly excit-
ed.
IT'S all right, ma; you let me-" said
one of the daughters, hitting her mother
bonnet with a handbag she struggled 10
put in the rack. Miss Winchelsea detest-
ed people who banged about and called
their mother Ma"
A young man travelling alone followed
He was not at all "touristy" in his cos
tune, Miss Winchelsea observed; his
Gladstone bag was of good pleasant leath-
er with labels reminiscent of Luxembourg
and Ostend, and his boots, though brown
were not vulgar. He carried an overcoat
on his arm. Before these people had prom.
erly settled in their places, came an in.
specton of tickets and a slamming al
doors, and behold they were gliding out nj
Charing Cross Station on their way Il
Rome
Fancy! cried Fanny, I'VE are going I,
Rome, my dear! Rome! | don't seem r.
ha1