The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-04-06
n Prophecy fulfilled.



whom he had encountered on several
occasions. the mother, In Jacks opinion,
"an old dragon" and two younger Ia
dies. evidently her daughters. Their uh-
SOPHISTICATED gunelesSness tJacks pet
hobby was the seeking out of guileless
maids. a variety he had as yet FAILED
10 discovery had interested him, as wen
as their frank indifference 10 the eN-
ecrable French they sowed broa cast
along thea path. Although they were
obviously conscious of his frequent re-
appearance the acquaintance had not
proceeded beyond an animated ocular
conversation with the elder daughter
saucy, blue-eyed girl with charming,
couuettish helplessness that suggested
her appreciation OF male superiority III
the face of obstacles, and in itself a
pleasing tribute 10 masculine VANITY.
Further than this Ii had been imposSl-
BILE TO proceed, for the mother seemed
disinclined to encourage promiscuous'
travelling acquaintances,anl the young
er daughter was a formidable copy OF
her lynX-eyed parent.
In Turin he lost them. and with them
his Indifference. His unknown charmer
had caught his fancy, and the impossl-
bility of closer acquaintance whetted
the hunter instinct inherent in every
man. A week elapsed, and his search
i'm Turin having proven fruitless he de-
termined 10 turn to Rome, that Mecca
of American tourists.
He arrived at the station a few min
utes before he train started, occupied
solely with the thought OF obtaining
comfortable seat at that late hour.
There what was that? No one but his
little inamorata was capable or such
atrocious French Comfortable seats
and the lateness of the hour were swept
away by this elation OF success
I'VE have first tickets, stupido, first!
And only three. three left Here the
fingers came into play. Three class
now left. stupido, understand! ON,
dear, If only / could speak ltallan as L
do French and with a sigh she re-
lqpsed into English.
Jack possessed the rapidity of deci-
sion which had enabled his rather 10
nmass millions. Inwardly thanking For
tune for her timely assistance. he seiZ-
ed his opportunity with courtiy .bow.
IF mademoiselle permits | may be
able TO assist her. Possibly we can yet
find some seats in the first-class
coupes," he said in English. The time
was too short to waste upon the mazes
of her French.
II am afraid il will be too much
trouble" The tone betrayed no recogni-
tion. but the CLINT of the eyes told a
more encouraging tale.
Il
train, so you have only 10 follow me-,
he hastily .ssured her.
Then / shall be very glad OF your as
sistance. But first we must find my
mother"
Not a difficult matter. for mamma
and her other nesting were forlornly
stationed in front of coupe occupied
by an immense number OF packages. A
shrivelled little man huddled in the FAR
.fh "a
ring the way to all intruders.
A distant iciness tinged my moth
er's" manner when she perceived her
daughter in company with the importu-
nate young man whom they had so
successfully eluded UP TO then. The
whitening glance she bent upon him
seemed to- say: $50 misfortune has at
last overtaken us in your person. but
she did not refuse his assistance. AS
ne turned to the repellant figure in the
door he caught the muttered aside:
How unfortunate, He can't be any
body worth knowing. for he is travelling
unattended. Well, we won't notice him
after we reach RoSle. my dear"
Monsieur cannot enter, said the port
ly lady at that instant in excellent
French marked by a slight Italian ac-
cent.
Pardon ytfa, madame, but / really
think you are mistaken"
,"The compartment is funny occupied
monsieur" she insistta. with growing
annoyance.
with packages. madame" he re-
marked.
Belonging to passengers, monsieur"
Some people prefer packages TO
trunks. madame" he retorted. suavely.
you are insolent, monsieur. / do not
travel with commoners.
I'm this instance, madame, conde-
scension lies with U.S."
The matron drew herself UP haught-
ily. ~