The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-07-15
WE MET BY CHANCE.

Only one other person was in the coupe
with me-a stiff, magisterial appearing
man, whose only baggage was portfolio.
Just as the train was starting sounds of a
dispute arose at the door Of my coupe
No, Sir!" said woman's voice. :"
ordered coupe-l1, and must have it :"
But, madam, since we have none"
"You ought to have needed my letter ~
"We received no letter, madam
Make them add another car, then ~
Impossible! We have the regular
number. Come, come, hasten-thc train
is going!"
" But l must have some place"
"There, in that coupe"
" "There %
Yes, therer
A little brown head was thrust in and
suddenly withdrawn, as if frightened.
"There are two gentlemen there!
Eth, madam, | cannot give you car
to yourself"'
every well, will not go."
AS you please! The train leaves. |
give the signal -
Stop, sir, stop! l am obliged to go
and since there is only that coupe-but
they will give me co4e-M at the first
station %
Yes, madam-yes, madam"
You will telegraph for that :"
Yes, madam-yes, madam"
Tae door opened, the little brown head
entered, surrounded with bundles and
wraps. There was a piercing whistle !;
we had started. The stiff gentleman
gallantly took a seat by me, leaving all
one side free for the new arrival. With
out glancing at us, breathless and Grim
son with wrath, she arranged her things
as if for long journey-one bag, two
bags, three bags, and cloaks and shawls
looked on out Of the corner of nv eye,
and saw with pleasure that she was charm
ing in appearance At Laroche the stiff
man arranged his papers and left us. He
was received by the depot master as
"Monsieur PInspector. The lady rushed
to the door.
"Did they telegraph from Paris for a
coupe-Iit?" :.
eyes, madam, sent the dispatch on"
"What! cannot have it at once 20
Impossible, madam. We have no
cars here. They will give you one at
Lyon Perrache."
"Not till then? But cannot stay
here all that time-it is impossible. |
will not
"Takc a care, madam-the train is
starting"
The cars were in motion. She returned
to her corner, furious, never glancing my
way. | opened my tenth newspaper.
Shall | own tit occupied me longer
than the nine before it. | read the same
lines twenty times. | believe | held it
sometimes upside down. | wanted to
talk with her, but where was the PretcXt
Considering the temperature the elias
sic resource of raising or lowering Win
dows did not exist What could do? |
saw she was woman of the world and
of the best class | could only attract
her notice by some very original speech.
But what-what / meditated in vain.
| was still studying the point when the
train stopped. "Tonnerre Twenty
| five minutes for refreshments :" was
shouted at the door.
My fair neighbor rose, dropped wraps
and left the car. 1t was noon. Hunger
MAD, itself felt. She went toward the
refreshment room. ! followed. | could
then admire at my ease her elegant figure,
distinctly outlined by a long otter cloak.
also remarked that she had pretty curls
in her neck, a gray felt hat and very
small feet.
quickly swallowed several things.
Nv fair traveller took bowl OF soup.
The time soon passed, and the travellers
raced back to their cars. went to mine.
The lady had not come. saw her at a
little book and newspaper stand, looking
at the row of books Although l saw
only her back l recognized her pretty
figure. her otter cloak and her gray hat.
Her hair did not look SO dark to me
doubtless the effect of distance. Every
body was on board doors were slam
ming.
"She will miss her train, thought,
and then called to her from the window :
"Madam! Madam
Twas too far away. She did not hear.
The whistle sounded the train was start
ing. What should be done? An idea
flashed through my head. She was go
ing to remain there, in this horribly cold
weather, without any baggage. The poor
little woman must have her things. l
snatched the three bags, and all her
shawls and wraps, and flung the whole
out to q man standing near the car.
"Give them to that lady over there, y
Icried.
The man caught the things, and went
toward the lady at the bookstall. At
the same moment, from the other side Of
the train, came my pretty companion in
great perturbstion, hustled by grumb-
ling Official. but safely on board, just as