Aunt Jane's Nieces Abroad

ous gardens, and as you emerge from these you find yourself upon t

frantically to attract attention. One tall fellow was dressed in a most imposing uniform of blue and gold, with a high hat bearing a cockade a la Inglese and shiny to

t to ride," w

Lubrense or Saint' Agata or at least Il Deserto! The others stood by to list

hn was o

the town," he declared, "We're

road, signore! Surel

, perhaps;

is good. At what hour, t

n't bot

to-morrow," suggested Beth. "It

t; we'll

gnore?" begged the cabman

us se

There the uniformed vetturio stood beside the one modern carriage in the group. It was new; it was gl

a, signore?" aske

nodding approval. "Be ready to star

l interest in the matter and the strangers were

at the arrangement and as eager as the others to make the trip. It is one of the most famous drives in the world, along a roa

lock; but when they came to the gate of the garden the

e John asked the driver, at the sam

ore. I am engage by

efully. It was long-legs, sure enoug

ur uniform?

y, very; I must not ruin a nice dress when

become of the fine carriag

ot remain good for a long ride. So I leave him home, for I am kind. I do not wish the signorini bella to tir

Uncle John, doubtfully. "I rented the best lo

; it is only you who must ride. You

ke it," said the little man, in a

ble despite the appearance of dilapidation everywhere prevalent. The driver m

he beautiful turnout he had hired yesterday. It was standing just as it had before, and beside it

paid no heed. He cracked his whip and rattled away through the streets without a glance behind him

; "swindled most beautifully. But I supp

be as pretty as the other, but I expect that one is only kept to m

But I'll get even with this rascal b

gain and more sunshine. "Sunny Italy" seemed a misnomer that day, as indeed it does many days in winter and spring, when the climate is little better than that prevailing in the eastern and central portions of the United States. And perhaps one suffers more in Italy than in America, owing to the general lack of means to keep warm on cold days. The Italian, shivering and blue, will tell you it is not cold at all, for he will permit no reproach to

g and delightful; but seldom is t

rrento, climbed the further slope, and brought the carriage to the other side of the peninsula, where the girl

ighway overhangs at an average height of five hundred feet, the traveller being protected only by a low stone parapet from the vast gulf that yawns beneath. And on the other side of the road the cliffs continue to ascen

big as peas, which threatened to dash in the frail roof of their carrozza. While they shrank huddled beneath the blankets, the sun came o

the fishermen sat before their tiny huts busily mending their nets. From that distance the boats drawn upon the sheltered beach seemed like mere toys. Then they would span a chasm on a narrow stone bridge,

overtook them. Without warning the wind came whistling around them in a great gale, which speedily increased in fury until it dro

th. But the man clung to the reins desperately, and they arrested his fall, leaving him dangling at the end of them while the maddened horses, j

r caught the plunging steeds by their heads and tried to restrain their terror, at his own eminent peril, while the carri

apet, stepped boldly to where the reins were pulling upon

to the driver, and began drag

k of the rock and assist her by relieving her of part of his weight. Just above was a slight ledge; he could reach it now; and the

n their bits was relaxed, were easily quieted. Before those in the carriage had quite realized

ch good reason to distrust. He was sitting upon his horse and staring with amazement at Beth, at whose feet the driver was grovelling while tears flowed down his bronzed cheeks and he pr

ralti. "However could such a sl

"we're trained to do such things in the gymnasium at

her cousin an admiring hug; "she kept her wit

he Count. One of the young man'

urt, sir?"

and his eyes re

c at the time and wrenched my wrist viciously as I tried to hold them. I felt

k to Sorrento," said

y to Amalfi now, and you may as well go on. For my part, if the wrist troubles

defferent bow and

count, but the manliness and courage he had displayed in their gr

lcome to join us,

a broken strap and found his

ar in their lives. So the girls and their uncle climbed into the vehicle ag

ositano-which is four hundred feet high, the houses all up and down the side of

nversation. His lips were tight set and the girls, slyly observing his face

hem, shining from out a blue sky, and they wondered what ha

of the ancient Cappuccini-Convento, now a hotel much favored by the tourist. Count Ferralti promised to join them later and rode on to the town to find a surgeon to

st views in Europe, and while the girls sat enjoying it Uncle John arranged w

nt Ferralti rejoined them. His hand was bandaged and supported by

pped. But my surgeon is skillful, and say

he take a seat in the carriage on the return journey. Beth wanted to ride the Count's horse home, but there was no side saddle to be had,

ain came up. They reached their hotel damp and bedraggled, but enthusiastic over