Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-04-09
WE MET BY CHANCE.

with mc--a still, magistcrial appearing
man, whose only baggage was a portfolio
Just as the train was starting sounds of
dispute arose at the door Of my coupe.
"No, sir no" said woman's voice
81 ordered a coupe-H, and Imust have it T
"But, Madam, since we have none-'
"You ought to have needed my letterl'
eve received no letter, Madam"
''Make them add another car, thenw
'1mpossiblc! We have the regular mum
Der. Come, come, hasten-the train il
going!"
"But l must have some place."
"Thcre, in that coupe"
'Thcrc"
Eyes, there"
A little brown head was thrust in and
suddenly withdrawn, as if frightened.
"Therc are two gentlemen thercw
'.Eh, madam, cannot give you cal
to yourselfp
VERY well, Twill not gop
"As you please! The train leavesl
give the signal"
"stop, sir, stop! am obliged to GO
and since there is only that coupe-but
they will give me coupe-la at the first
station2n
Yes, madam yes madam. .
''You will telegraph for thatY
Yes, madam-ycs, madam"
The door opened, the little brown head
entered, surrounded with bundles and
wraps. There was piercing whistle; we
had started. The stiff gentleman gallantly
took a seat by me, leaving all one side free
for the new arrival. Without glancing at
us, breathlcss and crimson with wrath, she
arranged her things as if for long jour
ney-onc bag, two bags, three bags, and
cloaks and shawls. looked on out of the
corner Of my eye, and saw with pleasure
that she was charming in appearance. AT
Laroche the stiff man arranged his papers
and left us. He was received by the depot
master as "Monsicur inspector. The
lady rushed to the door.
'Did they telegraph from Paris for a
c0upe-Gt?"
eyes, Madam, sent the dispatch on. {"
"Whatl / cannot have it at once2"
impossible, Madam. We have no cars
here. They will give you one at Lyon
Perrache."
"Not till thcn2 But cannot stay here
all that time-it is impossible. l will
not"
"Take a care, Madam-the train is
starting"
The cars were in motion. She returned
to her corner, furious, never glancing my
way. l opened my tenth newspaper.
Shall Town 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 pretext? Considering
the temperature the classic resource ofrais-
ing or lowering windows 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 origi-
nal speech. But what-what2 meditated
in vain. ] was still studying the point
when the train stopped. "Tonnerre
Twenty-Five minutes for refreshmentslp
was shouted at the door,
My fair neighbor rose, dropped her
wraps and left the car. 1t was noon.
Hunger made itself felt. She went toward
the refreshmcnt room. l followed. /
could then admire at my ease her elegant
figure, distinctly outlined by long otter
cloak. | also remarked that she had
pretty curls in her neck, gray felt hat
and very small feet.
Iquiekly l swallowed several things. Ny
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 saw only
her back | recognized her pretty figure,
her otter cloak and her gray hat. Her hair
did not look sodark to me-doubtless the
effect of distance. Everybody was on
board doors were slamming
''She will miss her train," l thought,
and then / called to her from the win
dow: Madam MADAME
Twas too far away. She did not hear.
The whistle sounded the train was start
ing. What should be donel An idea flash
ed through my head. She was going to
remain there, in this horribly cold weath-
er, without any baggage, The poor little
woman must have her things, Isnatehed
the three bags, and all her shawls aad
wraps, and flung the whole out to naa
standing neaE the car.