The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1879-12-12

ing train-f she would only 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 me, and-well, could almost
have sworn that she blushed. bad already
told her that was bound for Paris on
special errand for my father but had not
said word about the ring, nor had she even
seen it. had put on my gloves before leav-
ing the train at Dover, ,and still wore them.
A little while longer and we found our.
selves at Calais. When we landed, Madame
admitted that she was hungry, and. that
luncheon would be a desirable feature of the
programme Accordingly, while she went
about her business, took voiture and
drove to the Hotel Dessin. There, in the
course of half an hour, Madame Joined
me.
Now one can't very well partake of
luncheon in kid gloves. The question was
wheather should psrtake OF mine with the
ring on my finger, or whether l should put
1t carefully away in the box and hide it out
of sight. If you have any knowledge of
what human nature is at 81, especially when
there's pretty woman in the case, you will
know the decision arrived at
Madame pecked little at this and that,
but hardly ate more than sparrow might
have done. How swiftly the minutes seem
to fly I could have fingered on in that
cosey little room for a year. When the
cloth was drawn and we were left to our
selves, with a bottle ofhock on the table be.
tween us, somehow our chairs seemed to
gravitate towards each other. . Or perhaps
it was the stove that attracted as, for the
afternoon was chilly. In any case we found
ourselves in closer proximity. Then said
Madame, do you smoke, Monsieur p Yes,
considerably more than is good for me, I'm
afraid Then smoke now. Oblige me.
like to see gentleman smoke 1 rose to
get cigar case out of the pocket of my
overcoat. Madame laid her hand lightly on
my ARMAND what charming hand it was !!
'Tenez. l am going to make confession,
said she i smoke, too-moi. Cigarettes
I lived for several years in Spain, where
nearly all the ladies smoke. You are not
shocked, hope, at the idea of a lady smok-
ing cigarette p
Shocked, Madame
NO, of course not. Yon are too much a
man of the world. You are above such in
sular prejudices. Eh bien, you shall smoke
one of my cigarettes From the satchel by
her side she drew an embroidered case which
she opened and bade me choose cigarette.
| did SO, and she took another. Then with her
own fair fingers she struck an allumette, ,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.
4 dare say you find the flavor a little pc.
culiar,' said Madame minute or two later.
These cigaretts are made of perfumed to-
bacco. never smoke any others. hope
you don't find yours very disagreeable.'
On the contrary, Madame, am quite in
love with it. As you say, the flavor is slight
ly peculiar, but aromatic and pleasant
To tell the truth, didn't like it at all, but
l wouldn't have said so for worlds.
We smoked on in silence. What would
this superb creature say to me, wondered
if were to tell her how madly had faller
in love with her Would she reject me with
scorn, or would she-I gave sudden star
and was shocked to find that had been fal
ling asleep. Fortunately Madame had no
noticed me. Her large melancholy eye
were bent upon the stove. There was Ger
tainly somsthing very soothing, something
that inclined to slumber and happy dreams
about Madsme's peculiar cigarettes. If
had but $4,000 year now, and this swee
creature toshare it with me, how happy coul'
| be Certainly she must have been som
six or seven years older than myself, but
never was one to care for your chits of schoc
girls, who set up for being women befor
they are out Of their teens. Here was a
angel who had been cast on bleak and un
feeling world, who had pined for heart an
home-for heart that brimmed over wit
love. Gracious goodness had a heal
that yesrned toward her--that-that---
Why eh-how was this And where ws
l?
awoke with shiver. But for the cou
yard the room would have been quite dsrl
My head was aching frightfully. got u
and staggered to the window. When lool
r ed out and saw the familiar court yal
everything came back to me like flash
light. Where was MadameY Why had
slept so long? What boor she must tai
, me to be CROPPED for the bell and rangi it v
I olently. Up came waiter with a candl
q Where is Madame?' demanded. Madam,
4 he answered went out nearly three hou
| ago, saying she wanted to make few pu
chases, and would be back in little Will
On no account, she said, was her broths
4 who had suffered terribly from NAL de m
: in crossing, to be disturbed Madame
q added, has not returned.'
e Gone three hours ago. Her brothe
| Malde mer What could it all mean ?
d | sat down, utterly bewildered, my Al
e | pIbsbtu dkdlubt tuc llllit DOA III Hy pOCk
T. Mechanically glanced at my finger 7
N ring was no longer there My heat turn
it sick within me. l sank down and burr
N my face in my hands. The waiter thoui
At was i'll, and ran to fetch some cognac.
d. saw it all now. Fool-fool that ] WAS
had allowed myself to be swindled, and
o- a common adventures.
m At 8 o'clock next morning stood bef
I'd my father miserable, haggard, woe-begC
e. wretch. told my tale, but as | did s
IS could not keep down my tears of ming
w shame and vexation. He listened to
n. with curious, cynical smile. When |
to done he went to his beuresu and opene
drawer. Set your mind at rest, Ned He
s- the ring, safe and sound =
er / could only stare at him in open mout
q. establishment When Madame, with
at ring in her possession, left you fast AISLE
ly she was lust in time to catch the aftern