The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1915-12-03

over fabric of woman's apparel.
One of the girls had kissed him.
Whoever she was she must have made
"A careful observation as to his exact
position. for she could not see him.
she first struck his cheek. but instantly
passed to his lips. The whole contact
occupied only one or two seconds.
Nine or ten minutes of darkness re-
manned, during which the perpetrator
Jf this bit OF mischief might compose
herself. Doubtless all the girls were
'onspirators and would bear themselves
| in such manner as to protect the guilty
one. Probably the kissing had been
| done on bet. Ned's opinion was that
Jack had been the perpetrator. but he
could not be sure.
The matter must have been well ar
ranged during the stop before the train
entered the tunnel, for when it emerg-
ed there was not the slightest indica-
| ton on the face of any OF the girls
that anything unusual had occurred
| Ned scanned the features of each with
out observing any betrayal. AS for
Jack, she began at once as soon as
there was light to read guidebook
| The only person in the party who did
not seem to have secret was the du-
emma, and Ned made up his mind that
| the mischief had been Matched with
out her knowledge.
The ride to Lucerne was not long.
| Though Ned kept his ears open for in
| formation. not a word was spoken that
| would give him even an inkling as to
| which one of the girls had kissed him
He watched to see if the party were
going to hotel. intending to go to the
same hostelry. But they went to
| pension, and he lost track Of them.
One day while Ned was in Munich a
| clap Of thunder came from clear sky
in a declaration of war by Austria
| against Servia. 1t was followed by
another from Russia, another from
Germany. from France, England and
| the rest.
Ned, who was intending to return to
America by way of England, had
drawn the balance on his letter of
credit, consisting of some 5000. 1t was
evident to him that he had better get
out of Europe as quickly as possible.
But by what route? To make his way
through France seemed next to i'm
possible. Italy was neutral country,
and the distance compared with any
other route was short. He would go
to Italy.
But the only mode of conveyance
was legs. This did not trouble him.
Indeed, he had been making pedestrian
tours among the Alps. Putting what
clothes he could carry in pack on his
back, he sailed forth to walk some
thing like a hundred and fifty miles.
Unfortunately he must pass through
a portion Of Austria. AS soon as he
struck the border he found everything
in confusion. He was obliged to show
his passport continually. and, as for
getting n conveyance for any part of
his journey. that was out of the ques.
ton.
One morning while he was trudginy
along within ten or twelve miles OF
the italian border he saw an Austrian
officer with several soldiers stop an
automobile and say something to some
women In 1t, and they got out. Then the
officer put one of his men in 1t for
chauffeur. and the machine sped away.
leaving the women In the road.
Ned inferred that the machine had
been taken by the Austrian govern
ment and FASTENED to offer his sympa-
thies. He found despairing group.
And to his establishment they were the
duenna and the girls with whom he
had passed through the st. Gothard
tunnel. Forgetting that he was sup
posed to be a German, he said In good
American English:
Ladies. can l be Of any assistance
to you"
"Oh. my goodness gracious!' ex-
claimed all the girls in breath.
''For heavens sake" said the duen-
ma, what are we going to dor
"It Is ten miles to the Italian Dor
der" replied Ned. IF you are able to
walk 1t think we can get convey
ance Of some kind there"
But we haven't dollar with which
TO hire conveyance"
Don't trouble yourselves about that
I am well provided"
Under Ned's guidance and protection
the party set out for the Italian Dor
der, striking 1t on railroad north Of
Verona. They succeeded in getting
transportation to Milan and thence to
Genoa.
All expenses were paid by Ned until
the party reached Genoa. where they
found that certain Americans in Italy
DESTROYS of going home had chartered
a steamer. The women were still with
out money. and Ned had just enough
to carry them all home
s"I will pay tho passage Of each and
all of you" he said to them. ION one
condition"
Name any condition you like" said
the duenna.
"Tell me which one Of you kissed me
In the st. GotharG tunnel
IL III x~l.t..