The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-04-01
WE MET BY CHANCE.

Cnly ono olNer person WIS III tAc coul'c
with mc--a stiff, magistcrial appearing
man, whose only baggage was portfolio.
Just as the train was starting sounds Of 4
dispute arose at the door of my coupe.
mo, sir! mol" said woman's voice.
Il ordered n eoupe-Ht, and must have it ~
"But, Madam, since we have nome"
"You ought to have needed my lctterw
eve received no letter, Madam"
'Make them add another Car, thcn!"
impossible! We have the regular num-
Der. Come, come, hasten--the train is
goingm
"But must have some place."
"Therc, in that coupe"
"Thcrel"
"Ycs, therc."
A little brown head was thrust in and
suddenly withdrawn, as if frightened.
"There are two gentlemen therc!"
"Eh, madam, cannot give YOU car
to yourselfn
VERY well, I will not got"
"As you plcase The train leaves! !
give the signal"
"Stop, sir, stop! am obliged to go
and since there is only that coupc---but
they will give me a coupc-lit at the first
station!''
eyes, madam--ycs, madam"
"You will telegraph for thatl"
ayes, madam-ycs, madam"
The door opened, the little brown head
entered, surrounded with bundles and
wraps. There was a piercing whistle; we
had started. The stiff gentleman calamity
took seat by me, leaving all one side free
for the new arrival. Without glancing at
us, brcathlcss and crimson with wrath, she
arranged her things as if for long jour-
ncy-one bag, two bags, three bags, and
cloaks and shawls. l 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. lie was received by the depot
master as monsieur rInspector." Tho
lady rushed to the door.
"Did they telegraph from Paris for q
COUPE lH2"
''Yes, Madam, sent the dispatch on. >
'Whatl / cannot have it at oncc2"
"Impossible, Madam. We have no cars
mere They will give you one at Lyon
Perrache."
''Not till then7 But I cannot stay here
all that time--it is impossible. l will
uot--"
"Take a care, Madam.-the train i.
starting"
,che cars were in motion. She returned
to her corner, furious, never glancing my
way. l opened my tenth newspaper
Shall Iown tit occupied me longer thar
the nine before it. read the same lines
twenty times. Ibelieve held it sometimes
upside down. ! wanted to talk with her
but where was the prctext2 Considering
the temperature the classic resource of rails
ing or lowering windows did not exist
What could do7 / saw she was woman
of the world and of the best class. coult
only attract her notice by some very origi
nal speech. But what-what? meditatee
in vain. Twas still studying the poin
! when the train stopped. ''Tonncrc
twenty-five minutes for refreshments ]
was shouted at the door.
My fair neighbor rose, dropped he
wraps and left the car. 1t was noon
Hunger made itself felt. S,~ went towart
the refreshment room. l followed.
could then admire at my ease her elegan
figure, distinctly outlined by long otte
cloak. I also remarked that she hat
pretty curls in her neck, gray felt ha
and very small feet.
Iquickly swallowed several things. NJ.
fair traveller took bowl of soup. Tn
time soon passed, and the travellers races
back to their cars. went to mine. tn
lady had not come. ! saw her at littl
book and newspaper stand, looking a
the row of books. Although l saw onl
her back l recognized her pretty figure
her otter cloak and her gray hat. Her hal
did not look so dark to me doubtless tn
effect of distance. Everybody was O.
board; doors were slamming.
She will miss her train," l thought
and then called to her from the win
dow: "Madaml Ma,lamr
was too far away. She did not heal
The whistle sounded; the train was start
ing. What should be donel An idea flash
ed through my head. She was going t
remain there, in this horribly cold weath
er, without any baggage. The poor littl
woman must have her things. / snatche
the three bags, and all her shawls an
wraps, and flung the whole out to a ma
standing near the car.