Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-07-30

never forgive myself as long as I live"
II wish to have nothing to say to you,
SIR" she said, dryly.
| was nervous and much excited. In
the first place / thought her perfectly
charming. In the next place [ was
furious at my idiotic mistake. In short,
[ was ready for the most desperate
steps.
swear [ will throw myself out on the
track" and casting the rug between us
[ lifted the window and took hold of
the outside handle Of the door.
Was | really in earnest? Entire nous,
not really, l suppose, but it seems [
must have looked SO, for she cried out:
But you are crazy, monsieur, you are
crazy
rug and said in softened tone:
But you, monsieur; you will die of
cold"
Don't disturb yourself about me,
madam. 1 am not delicate and even if
[ do take cold it will only be the Just re-
ward of my objectionable stupidity"
''Say rather your haste, for of course
as you say, your motive was good-but
how could you have taken that other
woman for me?'
Because she was so pretty" She
smiled; the ice was broken-the ice of
conversation, | mean, for otherwise l
was chattering with the cold. But how
soon forgot the cold, the journey-ev-
erything. She was delicious, exquisite,
adorable, a clever mind, bright, gay,
original. She was fond of travelling,
like myself. Like myself she had been
in Italy, in Spain. She dreamed of 60
ing to Egypt, just as | did. In litera.
ture, music, III everything, in fact, the
same tastes as mine. And then, only
think, a host of mutual friends.
She was intimate with the Saint Chances,
with the Savonys, particularly with the
Mont Vazins. And to think that |
might have seen her twenty times at
those houses, and that had not noticed
her. x Where were my eyes, [
should like to know; where were my
eyes?
She spoke freely, pleasantly, with
that distinguished simplicity which | al
ways SO much admire, with little, a
very little, Southern accent-almost i'm
perceptibly, rathera lisp-giving little
bird-llke sound to her voice. TWAS en-
trancing.
But, although | did everything to
keep from showing it, heavens, how
COld NoS Az bljOH kZ.ZO U CLOCK l..
NJ my right hand was seized with a
cramp. We telegraphed to Tonnerre
for the bags. At Macon apo O'Clock p.
NJ the left foot went the same way. A
dispatch would reach Marseil]es the
next day. At Lyon-Perrache (5:4S
o'clock P. NJ my left hand became in
sensible. She forgot to claim her
coupelet. at Valance $3.50 O'Clock P.
NJ my right hand followed the exam
Pile of my left / learned she was a
widow without membranes My
nose turned brilliant purple. | was
given to understand that she never
loved her first husband. At Mar
settles, finally tive minutes after mid
nlght,) | sneezed three times, violently.
She handed my rug and said, grac-
''Au reuoirp' I was in the seventh
heaven
[ passed the night at the hotel at
Noailles. A restless night, filled with
thoughts of her. The next morning
when / awoke [ had the most terrific
cold in the head that / could imagine.
Did [ dare present myself at the Rom
bauds in such a state? Unfortunate,
of course, but they knew | was on the
journey-they will have to take me as l
am, and tomorrow [ shall be cured in
the sunshine of Nice
But, my friend, what surprise await
ed me That good fellow, Rombaud,
had asked several friends to meet me,
and among these friends was she, my
travelling companion, my enchantress.
When [ was presented to her an i'm
perceptible smile auttered over her lips.
1 bowed.
And Tonnerre ?" asked, very low
II have them" she replied, in the
same low tone.
We went to luncheon.
"What q cold you have, old fellow"
said my friend Rombaud. Where the
devil did you catch it? Travelling, per-
haps."
Perhaps" I replied, "but I really
don't regret it," No one understood
this curious reply, of course, but my
fair fellow traveller sent me tender
and sympathetic glance from across the
fragrant fumes of the magnificent rag
out which adorned the table, and was
content.
What more shall say, my dear fell
lowl [ did not 60 to Nice next day, and
am to be married in afortnight.