The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1893-09-16
d" THE HORRID THING" "

Frank Hastings was an American, resid-
ing in Paris for the pleasure of it, and in
cidentally to attend to the European bust
ness of the firm of which his father was
the head. America was good enough for
the father, rich though he was, but the
young man had been educated abroad,
and he was slow to return TO the paternal
home. He was about 90, and for num-
Der Of years Paris had been more of a
home for him than any other place. He
was good looking fellow, and, of course,
he was popular, not only in Paris, but in
London as well, and his visits were very
frequent. AS is usual with men who are
popular in society, this young man had
been slow in placing his heart, and
though he had known many young
women very pleasantly, none had sue
ceeded in making a lasting impression
on him, except possibly one or two whom
he could not impress, and these impress
sions he had wisely and philosophically
blotted out.
He had been in London for a week,
and was on his way back to Paris, by way
of Folkstone and Boulogne, and Mt
Boulogne had taken his place in first
class compartment, when he was almost
Immediately followed by two pretty
American girls with chaperon as deaf
as post, if he were to Judge 10y the high
pitch of the girls voices when they ad-
dressed her.
The young women chattered away very
glibly,with only slight occasional notice
of his presence, but when the train did
not leave just at the moment they had
expected, 4ey became restive, and at
last one of them turned to him.
81 beg your pardon" she said, "but
can you tell us when this train will go2"
MIR. Hastings was, in his way, an artful
dodger, and here was his opportunity.
Two pretty girls, with an Unsuitable de-
sire to talk; deaf chaperon; nobody
else in the compartment, and long ride
to Paris. That was as much as any man
need have to enjoy himself with, and
Mr.. Hastings was living just then with
that commendable object in view. He
looked like Frenchman, he certainly
had the manner of one, and why should
he not be one4 That was the PROPOSE
tion which formulated itself in his men tai
chamber, and on that he acted, with
promptness and despatch, as The adver-
tisements say.
When the young woman addressed
him, therefore, he made his poitest bow,
shook his head voluminously shrugged
his shoulders pathetically, and replied:
''Je ne vous comprend pas, mademoi-
selle," adding very fetching smile to
that "mademoiselle.
The girls face reddened visibly. She
had to explain TO the chaperon. The
other girl laughed, and Mr.. Hastings
shrugged his shoulders again, and po-
htely became unconscious of the pres
ence OF the ladies.
"You might have known he was n
Frenchman," said the other girl. "Ie
certainly does not look like an English.
man, and no body would take him for
an American"
swell, you didn'. know it," was the
petulant answer.
''If did or did not, did not ask
him what time the train left" and the
other girl laughed teasingly.
The first girl shook her head.
81 guess don't care" she said, def.
antly. "He's good. looking, whether
he's Frenchman or Timbuctooer, and
good-looking men can't be spoken 20
every day.
Mr.. Hastings wanted to thank her 70
that, but she gave no sign, only he fel,
his right ear growing warmer.
"Well, you'd better be careful how
you talk, suggested the other girl. "fol
he may think he is the subject of con.
versation, aud get at the meaning by in