The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-24
A LUNCH IN PARIS.
MRS. cHesTERS REMARKABLE ex-
PERIENcE WHILE ABROAD.

She Recognized m Old Friend, She
Thought. Among tho Crowd on One Of
tho Fashionable Thoroughfares Of the
Gay City and Lunchcd with Him.
Interesting adventures have not been
numerous in my existence" Mrs. Chester
remarked from the corner OF the sofa,
placing a large, soft cushion behind her
and crossing her feet comfortably; but
can tell you one that happened only last
summer and which / think is somewhat
out of the ordinary run. Wewere in Paris
at the time. One morning went alone to
my bankers in the Rue - and drew some
money for my sister. AS / came out
recognized Mr.. Fairman, who was passing.
| bowed, and he Immediately Joined me,
asking If / would allow him to accompany
me to my destination. whatever that might
be. had known Arthur Fairman slightly
for number of years, and probably would
never have become better acquainted with
him had we not met in a foreign land.
There seems TO be fraternal feeling be-
tween Americans abroad that In many
cases would not exist at home.
Az dUJ Idtt, kdNC buC oNcftA
permission, and we strolied along, enjoy
ing the life aud gaiety so peculiar to the
Paris bou,evards. At the Maison D.,
where had expected him TO leave me, he
remarked that be would be glad to wait
while tried on several hats. Must con-
fess that | was pluming myself upon
having made something of conquest OF
formerly Indifferent acquaintance His
patience was angelic, for after three-quar-
ters of an hour he greeted me in the Same
amiable manner, and asked me to lunch
with him at the Cafe Cambon. Charming
mani reflected moment, then accepted.
as knew returning home would mean .
solitary meal-ab the best hurried, IN
satisfying repast.
AS IT was, had an extremely pleasant
time. We secured a table in one of the
windows, and Mr.. Fairman almost imme-
diately inquired if had ever been TO Rus
STA. | think this was our principal topic
OF conversation | was surprised TO find
him such a travelled, cultivated man and
80 interesting talker. The lunch was
excellent, also the company, and when he
babe me adieu at the hotel am sure 1t
was with sincere regi>t on both sides, par
ticularly as he was about leaving Paris for
London, and our renewed acquaintance
would have to be suspended until we met
in New York.
my sister returned from shopping ex-
petition later In the afternoon, and gave
her graphic account OF how / spent the
morning, concluding, And here is the
money you wanted my hand gliding into
my pocket. 1t was emptyl Ny purse had
disappeared without tear in the material
TO mark its exit. | had not taken ii out
after leaving tho bankers; of that was al
most certain; therefore my pocket must
have been picked EN- route. | remembered
a crowd of people in the Rue Daunou,
which jammed the narrow sidewalks, but
| Mr.. Fairman had been behind me the en-
tire way. Could he help me, 1 wondereds
Ny sister advised me TO write to him at
! once.
Perhaps we could stop him before he
| left the city. l looked at the clock; 1t
was striking 4. He leaves at g. mnr-
INJURED hopefully. L will send for him inn
mediately.' Then, remembering: But
don't know his address. Is ii not provok-
| ingP, | went over 20 the window and
gazed absently out. | had been watching
passers by for some time, feeling deeply de-
pressed, when suddenly l caught sight of
Mr. Fairmau hurrying along ON the oppo-
site side What luck Without word
of explanation to my sister, l ran to the
door, down tho staircase and into tho
street.
I'm few seconds had overtaken him,
and, while trying TO regain my breath,
managed TO tell him of my loss. He was
most sympathetic and much distressed
over the occurrence.
"I am mortified at not having been
able to take better care of YOU he kept re-
peating apologetically; you cannot inn
agine how badly feel However, l will
90 to the police station and report the
theft on my way 10 the depot. so that your
interests will he well looked after when
am gone
He walked with me back TO the hotel
entrance, and | gave him a minute de-
scription Of my pocketbook and its con-
tents. after which he excused himself, as
be said he must return to his apartment
before going to the train. In spite Of his
kindly interest, as is usual in such cases.
the money was never heard Of again.
"A few days ago." Mrs. Chester con-
tinued, drawing n long breath and sitting
more erect, II met Mr.. Fairman on Fifth
avenue and stopped 10 speak TO him.
How have you been since j saw you last
summer in ParisY / exclaimed cordially.
He shook my hand rather mechanically,
thought, and seemed somewhat puzzled
DO you know went on, we never found
any trace Of that money that was stolenr
And | added, laughing, We almost ac-
cused you OF petty larceny
"Mr. Fairman's face wore an extraordi-
nary expression Paris? Petty larceny
he stammered looking blankly at me; but,
my dear Mrs Chester, l have not been
abroad for three years.
For moment there was dead silence,
each gazing at the other. Not been
abroadY / gasped unbelieyingiy. But
saw you; lunched with you
81 can prove an alibi whenever you
please Mr.. Fairman replied seriously. L
spent August aud September with my sis
ter Carrie in Newport
"Then the truth flashed over me. Ths
small differences | had not noticed before
became only too clear now. The clever
duplicate had traded on his mistaken iden-
tity, and had calmly lunched me and rifed
my pocket to pay for the spree. Well. 1t
was a good lunch, but IL cost me 1000
francs IN. II. McVickar in Harper's
Weekly.