Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-11-26

Jack had been the perpetrator. but he
could not be sure.
The matter must have been well ar.
ranged during the stop before the trair,
entered the tur
ed there was
ton on the 80 II emels
+ho+ I slightest indica-
of any Of the girls
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 a guidebook.
The only person in the party who did
not seem to have a 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 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 vert
going to hotel, intending to go to the
same hostelry. But they went to a
pension, and he lost track of them.
One day while Ned was In Munich a
clap of thunder came from q clear sky
in 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 a pack on his
back, he sailed forth to walk some
thing like 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 conveyance for any part Of
his journey, that was out of the ques
ton.
One morning while he was trudging
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 it, and they got out Then the
officer put one of his men in it for a
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 a 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 do?"
1T is ten miles to the Italian Dor
der" replied Ned. If you are able to
walk it l think we can get a convey
ance Of some kind there"
But we haven't dollar with which
to hire conveyance"
Don't trouble yourselves about that
l am well provided"
Under Neds guidance and protection
the party set out for the Italian bor-
der, striking it 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
steamer. The women were still with
out money, and Ned had just enough
to carry them all home.
II will pay the 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
I'm the st. Gothard tunnel"
"Neverv' exclaimed all the girls at
once.
very well; then you'll remain in
Italy"
Finally Jack broke the deadlock. 81
cannot tell a lie. 1t was our chap
eron."
There was a burst of laughter, and
Beaverton gave in, pretending to take
Jacks confession for a real one, though
he knew that she was the guilty per-
son.
Ihe girls and their duenna occupied
one stateroom on the return voyage,
and Ned slept on deck.
Ned and Jaquelin on moonlight nights
sat on deck a great deal. There is no
further record of any more kisses be-
tween them, but Ned having tasted the
lips Of his companion once was not
likely to sit in the moonlight without
tasting them again.
a month after their arrival Ned and
| 1Hetx haca mo man and vvffa