The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-09-28

went toward the lady of the book-stall. At
the same moment at the opposite side OF the
coach--the side of the platform-the door
opened and my lady traveller, perturbed,
hustled by grumbling conductor. plunged
Horror! had mistaken the traveler-the
woman of the book-stall was not the one;
the same cloak, same hat, same style, but
not she. I had played pretty trick.
She was barely in the coach when she
oat gs 6a have t stolen
looked at me-with what look! Heavens!
that look-I shall never forget it.
mo, madame" said to her, "your bun
dies are not stolen; they have been left at
Tonnerre."
''At Tonnerre? How?''
I explained it all to her. The second
glance she shot at me think shall remem-
Der longer than the other.
II am disconsolate, madame" STAN.
mered, absolutely dlsconsolate. But the
motive was good. thought you were 60
ing to miss the train, that you would be
you will pardon me. Fear nothing for
your things; they are in safe hands-a man
in uniform. At the next station YOU will
telegraph-l will telegraph-we will tele-
graph; they will send them to you right
away. You shall have them, I swear it to
you, even II 6uOulO nave I'd IebUEu Hy8oAI
to Tonnerre to get them"
Enough, sir" she said; .''I know what l
have to do" and she returned to her corner,
twisting her gloves with her anger. But.
poor little thing, she had not thought of the
cold. She no longer had her warm rugs.
gan to shiver. Well might she draw her
sealskin about her pretty figure; positively
she chartered.
.'Madame,'' said. II beg you, upon my
knees, accept my rug; you will be i'll, it will
be my fault, and never in my life shall I
IT am not speaking to you, sir" she said
I was very nervous, very excited. To be-
gin with, found her charming, and then l
was furious over my ridiculous blunder. In
short, I had arrived at great resolution.
Madame" said, ''accept this rug, or. I
the window. And. throwing the rug be-
tween her and me, I lifted the window and
seized the outside knob of the door.
Was I determined to throw myself out?
Between you and me, not altogether,
think; but it appears I looked as if were,
| for she cried Immediately: You are crazy,
sir, to think of such thingv'
"The rug, or jump!"
She took the rug, and, in a tone more
softening, said: but, sir, you will perish
"Do not disturb yourself about me,
madame; I am not chilly, and even if 1
should be cold it viii only be just punish
ment Of my objectionable stupidity"
"Say of your too great haste, for you are
right, the intention was good; but how
could you have taken that lady for me2"
Because she appeared to me charming"
She smiled; the ice was broken-the ice
otherwise, I shivered. But how quickly
forgot the cold and the journey and all!
She was delicious, exquisite, adorable.
She loved travel, like myself; she had
been in Italy, like myself; in Spain. like
ike myself; in literature, in a. music
in everything the same tastes as my
own. And then, think of this! A crowd Of
general connections. She was intimate
with the Saint Chamas, with the savnoys,
with the Mountbyzons, above all. To think
that had perhaps met her twenty times m
those salons, and that I had never noticed
her!
She spoke naively, amiably, with the
charming simplicity that I admired go
much. slight-very slight-provincial
accent, imperceptible--a MARBLE rather
gave to her words the light skipping of a
Though did everything in the world to
conceal it, heavens, how cold was!
At Dion (2:2OD my right foot was seized;
we telegraphed to Tonnerre for the things
left behind. At Macon (4:45) was the
turn Of the left foot; We received dispatch
from Tonnerre, saying the baggage would
arrive at Marseilles the following day. At
Lyon-Perrache (5:48) my left hand became
insensible; she forgot to claim her sleeping
berth. At Valence (8:OS) my right hand
followed the example of the left; learned
that she was widow and without children.
At Avignon $3.50 my nose turned violet. I
understand that she never loved her frat
husband. Marseilles at last (12N5). i
sncezed violently three times; she handed
me my J. rug and said' sraoiously "Au
An revoir! All, was wild!
| passed the night at the Hotel dc Noailles
AN agitated night, full of thoughts Of her.
The following morning, when I awoke, I
had the most horrible cold in the head
imaginable. Would dare present myself
in that state to my friends. the Rombauds?
Bah! Travellers must take travelers'
chances. They would take me as I was.
and the next day would cure myself in
the sun at Nice.
That excellent Rombaud had invited sew
eral friends in my honor, and among the
When was presented to her On imper-
ceptible smile played about her lips. I
| bowed and said: "And Tonnerre?''
II have Them" she whispered.
We sat down at table.
"What a cold, my good fellowv' cried
hOmDAuu. W0efe III the devil Qlo you
get 1t? In the cars perhapsr'
Possibly" replied; ''but to tell the
truth, do not regret it."
Nobody understood this odd remark, but
felt the soft and friendly glance of my
traveller glide toward me across the table.
What more shall tell you? The follow
ing day did not leave for Nice, and I am
| to be married in fortnight.
THE JIBOOSE.
| A New Word Which Fills One of the Polit-
ical Needs OF the Time.
The general public and the noble science