The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-09-05
THE EXPRESS.

Of the approaching marriage of Valentin
Sancerre! Whatl He-the confirmed
old bachelor, the skeptic Of the boule-
wards, the scoffer at marriage, the gay
est of the men about town, he who had
sworn a hundred times that he would
have none of it-Valentin, in short, 60
ing over to the enemy? And who is he
going to marry? A widow! And, what's
more, from the country! We couldn't
make it out.
So the first time met him l grabbed
him by the collar and demanded an ex-
PLANTATION.
81 haven't minute" he said; "such
lot Of things to do. l have Just come
from the Marie, and am going to Storms,
the engraver, Passage des Panoramas,
for the announcement cards. Come
along, won't your
"Of course l WILL" said l.
We were just in front of the Made
leine, and we walked down the boule-
ward arm in arm.
'It's a short story" said Valentin,
land commonplace to degree, but since
you are bent on knowing it, the fact is
am going to take the fatal plunge"
In February was on my way to Nice
for the carnival. l hate to travel at
night, so l took the 8:45 train in the
morning, arriving at Marseilles at five
minutes after midnight. was to spend
the day at Marseilles with my friends,
the Rombauds, who were expecting me
to luncheon, and the next morning was
to leave for Nice, to arrive there about
o'clock in the afternoon.
At the station at Lyons there was
terrific crush. Thanks to the well
known politeness of NJ Fregnoul, the
station master, | got carriage facing
the engine. found myself alone except
for one other traveller who had a severe
executive manner, a decoration, and
portfolio. He had no baggage except
this same portfolio, and of course he
couldn't be going far, so should soon be
left to myself-alone; the only condition
which makes a railway journey endur-
able.
Everybody was on board and the train
was on the point of departure. There
was noise of vehement discussion Just
outside our door.
mo, monsieur! Nor said a woman's
voice, very sweet and fresh, with an al
most imperceptible southern accent.
81 ordered a coupelet, and coupelet l
must have"
"But, madame, if we haven't any!"
"Why didn't you pay some attention
to my letter."
eve didn't receive any letter, ma
dame!'
'Put on another carriage, then!'
impossible! We have already put on
all we are allowed. Come, come, hurry
the train is going"
81 must have place, at leastr"
"But have just offered you two in
the carriage"
"There!'
Eyes, there"
A little dark head peeped in at the
door and Immediately disappeared if
In fright.
"But there are two men there"
"Well, madame, l can't give you a
carriage all to yourself"
Every well, then, won't CO."
GAS you please-the train is going.
must give the signal"
"Stop, sir, stop. l absolutely must 60
and as there is only the carriage will
they give me coupelet at the next sta
Hon?"
Eyes, madame! Yes, madamel"
"You promise me?'
Certainly"
"YOu are surer'
eyes. Yes. Yes"
The door opened, the little brown head
tumbled in, surrounded by halo of
packages and rugs. whistle shrieked,
and we were off.
The executive gentleman politely seat
ed himself next me, so as to leave all one
side for the new arrival. She was flushed
and excited, and did not deign to give
us glance, but set to work to arrange
her packages in the net above and in the
seats about her with the haste that people
usually manifest when they have hours
before them in railway carriage. There
was one bag-two bags-three bags and a
number of rugs.
watched her arrangements from the
corner of my eye and came to the decided
conclusion that she was charming. In
fact, it is always pleasanter to travel
with pretty woman than with an old
lEngishman with spectacles. 1t was bit
terly cold. The country, covered with
snow and illumined with pale, cold
sunlight, seemed to flee away rapidly
ON either side of the carriage.
Our little traveller, wrapped to her chin
In her rugs. set herself obstinately to
looking out of the window at her left.
The executive gentleman drew from his
portfolio great state papers with seals in
all colors OF the rainbow-yellow, green,
blue and purple-which he read with
considerable attention.
As for me. comfortably seated with my
feet on the heater. looked over the pile
OF papers had bought at the station to
pass away the time.
Twenty-one minutes after II. 'sLa-
roche!" The train stopped. The execu-
tive gentleman arranged his papers, got
up, took off his hat and left the carriage.
He had hardly reached the platform be
fore he was received by the station mas
ter, who addressed him as M. rInspec-
teur in tone Of deep respect. Our little
passenger rushed to the door.
is this the station masterr
Eyes, madame"
"You have received telegram from
Paris for coupelet?"
II have. madame. and have sent on the
6motch.n