Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-01-16

lueTe was ChLup etuOi ucdl ny
q Presently | ventuced to draw it little
nearer and sit down on it, blushing at my
temerity as | did so. She did not seem
at all offended, aud presently we were in
the midst of an animated aud interesting
conversation. There was no haWeUT
about madam. Ga the contrary, she was
candor, itself She had only been three
days in London. she told me. She had
been stopping with Sir Henry Fitz Evans
who had charge Of her late husbands
interest IN England. She was now going
back into seclusion-going back to The
little cottage where she had dwelt ever
since her dear husbands death. She
would not be able to 60 forward by the
tidal train, she told me. having business
call to make in Calais She would 60
forward by the evening train.
All this was told me with charming
frankuess. There was no reason why |
should not wait and so forward with her
by the evening trsin--if she would allow
me to do so. When threw out hint
to that effect, she offered no objection, =,
She admitted at once that she was fond
Of society, and then she looked at pe,
snd-wen, | could have sworn that she
blushed. had already told her that |
was bound Tor Paris, on = special errand
for my father; but bad not said word
about the ring, nor had she even seen It,.
had put on my gloves before leaving
the train at Dover. and still wore them.
\ little while longer and we found our
selves al Calais When we landed, madam
admitted that she was hungry. and that
luncheon would be desirable feature Of
the programme. Accordingly, while she
went about her business. | took couture
and drove to the Hotel Dessin. There.
in the course OF half hour, madam join
ed me.
Now. one can't well partake of lunch
con in Kid gloves. The question was
whether | should partake OF mine with
the ring on nv inger,o or whether should
pu, it carefully away in the box, and hide
i: ont Of sight. Ii you have any know!-
edge OF what human nature is attwenIy-
one, especially when there's a pretty wo-
man in the case, you willknow the decision
arrived at
Madam peckej little at this and that,
but hardly ate more than a sparrow might
have done. How swiftly the minutes
seemed to fly could have fingered in
.ha, cosy little room tor year. When
the cloth was drawn and we were lelt to
somehow our chairs seemed to
grayitsle toward each other; or, perhaps
i, was the stove that attracted Us, for the
afternoon was chilly. Ia any case, we
found ourselves in closer proximity -
Tnen said madam: ADO you not smoke,
Yes. considerably more
than is good for me. I'm afraid" Then
smoke now. O5lige me. like to see
a gentleman smoke rose in order to
ge, my cigar case on, Of the pocket OF
o.. my overcoat. Madam laid her hand
lightly on my srm-snd what charming
hand il WAS "Teae-. | am going 10
make a confession" she said. Il smoke
t,o-m0i Cigarettes. lived Tor several
years in SPAN. where nearly all the ladies
smoke. You are not shocked. hope, at
the idea of LADY smoking cigarette p
shocked. madam
"No. ofcourse not. You are too much
q man OF the world, You are above such
insular preju4ices. Eh bieH, you shall
smoke one OF my cigarettes. From the
satchet oy her side she drew an embroid-
cred case, which she opened and bade
me choose n cigarette. did so, and she
took another. Then with her own fair
fingers she struck au Gliumei!e, and held
it while l lighted the weed. Then she
lighted her own. She could not fail TO
see my ring as she lighted the match.
Il daresay you find the flavor little
peculiar" said madam. minute or two
later. These cigarettes are made Of
perfumed tobacco. / never smoke any
others. hope you don't lind yours very
disagreesble.
"On the contrary. madam, am qlite
in love with it. As you say, the flavor is
slightly peculiar. but aromatic and pleas
snt-very pleasant" To tell the truth,
didn't like it at all, but wouldn't have
said so for worlds.
We smoked on in silence, What
would this superb creature say to me, |
wondered, il / were TO tell her how mad
ly had fallen in love with her? Would
she reject me with scorn, or would She
gave a sudden start, and was shocked
TO ind that | had been falling asleep.
Fortunately madam had not noticed me.
Her large melancholy eyes were bent
upou the stove. There was certainly
something very soothing, something that
inclined to slumber and happy dreams,
about madam's peculiar cigarettes. II |
had but two thousand year now, and
this sweet creature 10 share it with me.
how happy could be. Certainly she
must have been some six or seven years
older than myself, but never was one to
care for your ehits OF schoolgirls, who