South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1893-09-28
j" THE HORRID THNG." "

Frank Hastings was an American. rcsid
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 wa,
the head. America was good enough 70,
the father, rich though he was. but tn,
young man had been educated abroad
ana he was slow to return to the paterna
home. He was about %, and for a mum
6er OF years Paris had been moro of {
nome TOR him than any other place. Hs
was good-looking fellow, and, of course
he was popular. not only in Paris, but il
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.
cceded in making 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 at
Boulogne had taken his place in first
class compartment, when he was almost
immediately followed by two pretty
American girls with chaperon as deaf
Us post, if he were to Judge by 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, they became restive, and at
last one of them turned to hiu>
II beg your pardon" she said, "but
oan you tell us when this train will po3''
MIR. Hastings was, in his way, an artful
dodger, and here was his Opportunity.
Two pretty girls, with ar insatiable de-
sire to talk; deaf chaperon; nobody
else in the compartment, and a long ride
TO faris. That was as much as any man
need have to enjoy himself with, and
nlr. hastings was living just then with
that commepdable object in view. He
looked like a Frenchman. he certainly
mad the manner of one, and why should
he not DC one3 That was the propos;.
tion which form ulated itself in his mon tai
chamber, and on that he acted, witt
Promptness and despatch, as Ibe adver.
tisements say.
Hhen the young woman addressed
him, therefore, he made his politest bow.
shook his head voluminously, shrugged
his shoulders pathciically, and replied:
'Je ne vous coinprcnd pas, mademoi-
seiie,' adding very fetching smile to
that 'mademoiselic.
The girls face Redeemed visibly. She
had to explain to the chnperon. The
other girl laughed, and Mr.. Hastings
shrugged his shoulders again, and no.
litely became unconscious of the pres
ence Of the ladies.
"You might have known he was a
Frenchman," said the other girl. '.He
certainly does not look like an English
man, and no body would take him for
an American
well, you didr's know it," was the
petulant answer
"If / did or did not. ! did not max
him what time the train left - and the
other girl laughed tcasipgly.
The first girl shook her head.
II guess don't care" she said. def.
antly. "He's good.lookiug, whether
he's Freuchrnan or Timbuctooer. and
good-lookitg men can't be spoken. 10
every day. .'p.. sc0s
Mr.. Hasti, aIi9aoted to thank taatio'
that, but shsp who post ,ssrs.-St.
his right ear
"Well,