Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-01-27

about the ring, nor had she even seen it.
l had put on my gloves before leaving
the train at Dover, and still wore them.
A little while longer and we found our
selves at Calais. When we landed, ma
dam admitted that she was hungry, and
| that luncheon would be u desirable feat
ure of the programme. Accordingly,
while she went about her business, took
a Uotttre and drove to the Hotel Dessin.
| There, in the course Of half an hour, ma
dam Joined me.
Now one can't well partake of lunch
con in kid gloves. The question was
whether should psrtake of mine with
the ring on my finger, or whether |
should put it carefully away in the box
and hide it out of sight. If you have
any knowledge of what human nature is
at twenty one especially when there's Il
pretty woman in the case, you will know
the decision arrived at.
Madame pecked little Mt this and
that, but hardly ate more than a sparrow
might have done. How swiftly the min
utes seemed to fly | could have linger-
ed on in that coy little room for year.
When the cloth was drawn and we we're
left to ourselves, somehow our chairs
seemed to gravitate toward each other
Or perhaps it was the stove that attract
ed us, for the afternoon was chilly. In
any case, we found ourselves in closer
proximity. Then said madam Do
you not smoke, monsieur ?" Yes, con-
siderably more than is good for me, I'm
! afraid" "Then smoke now. Oblige me.
| like to see gentleman smoke" | rose
in order to get my cigar case out of the
pocket of my overcoat. Madam laid her
hand lightly on my armand what n
charming hand it was IeReS. | am
going to make confession" she said.
" | smoke too-moi. Cigarettes. | lived
for several years in Spain, where nearly
all the ladies smoke. You are no. shock
ed, hope, at the idea of Il lady smoking
a cigarette ?"
Shocked, madam -
" No, of course not. You are too much
a man of the world. You are above such
insular prejudices. Eh bien, you shall
smoke one of my cigarettes. From the
sachet by her side she drew an mbroid
cred case, which she opened and bade
me choose cigarette. | did so, and she
took another. Then with her own fair
ingers she struck an dttumette, 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.
" daresay you find the flavor little
peculiar" said madam, II minute or two
later. "Thcse cigarettes are made OF
perfumed tobacco. | never smoke 9th
ers. hope you don't find yours very
disagreeable."
"On the contrary, madam, / am quite
in love with it. AS you say, the flavor
is slightly peculiar, but aromatic and
personal---very. pleasant" To tell the
truth, | didr'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, | wonder
ed, il / were 20 tell her how madly had
fallen in love with her Would she re-
ject me with scorn, or would she-I gave
a sudden start, and was shocked to find
that | had been falling asleep. Fortu-
nately madam had not noticed me. Her
large melancholy eyes were bent upon
the stove. There was certainly something
very soothing, something that inclined
to slumber and happy dreams, about
madam's peculiar cigarettes. If l had
but two thousand year now, and this
sweet creature to 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 chts of schoolgirls, who set up
for being women before they are out OF
their teens. Here was nn angel who had
II bleak and unfeeling world, who pined
for heart and home-for heart that
brimmed over with love. Gracious good.
ness | had heart that yearned toward
her-that - that - Why-eh - how was
this And where was II
awoke with shiver. But for the
lamp in the courtyard the room would
have been quite dark. My lead was
aching frightfuly. got up and stag
gered to the window. When l looked
out and saw the familiar courtyard, ev.
erything came back to me like fash o
light. Where was madam Why had
slept so long 2 What a boor she must
take me to be ? | groped for the bell and
rung il violently. Up came the waiter
with candle. "Where is madam ?" ]
demanded. " Madam" he answered
went out nearly three hours ago, say
ing that she wanted to make few pcr.
chases, and would be back in a little
while. On no account, she said, was her
brother, who had suffered terribly from
NAL de mer in crossing, to be disturbed
Madam" he added, has not return
ed"
Gone three hours ago Her brother
Nal de n,er! What could it all mean
AS sat down, utterly bewildered, my
arm pressed against the little box in my
pocket. Mechanically, | glanced at my
finger. The ring was no longer there
my heart turned sick within me. / sunk
down and buried my face in my hands
The waiter thought was i'll and ran tc
fetch some cognac. / saw it all now
. Fool-fool that / was had allowed
myself to be swindled, and by common
adyenturess.