The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-07-11
A FAIR SMOKER.

Time was precious In my case, and could
Ill afford to miss this special train, which
did not stop till IL reached Crewe
rushed along as fast as l could, carry
ing my travelling bag.
"What classp" shouted porter.
First" replied, struggling to open
the door OF the nearest first class comparl
ment.
"That's engaged" said the porter.
"Come along quick, sir, or the train will
start without you"
The carriage was Pullman and was
wholly reserved, and into the first com
partment of the next carriage 1 was hasti-
ly hustled as the train gradually acquired
motion.
The first thing noticed as l recovered
self possession was that tho only other oc-
cupant of the compartment was lady,
young good looking and stylishly attired.
The second, which may appear slightly in
oongruous, was that smoking was un-
mistakably inscribed on the windows.
The anomaly struck me Immediately,
and my mind, seeking compromise, sug
gested that the lady might be foreigner
and had not oomprehended the significance
of the window legend.
Her style was not English. There was
an elegance and fitness combined with SIM
plicity in her attire, something so strictly
feminine in her "get up, which was for
eign to an English woman's appearance.
So far had my reasoning gone when my
companion, who had been looking at me
with mingled expression of astonishment
and pity, said:
You nearly missed the train"
There was suspicion of foreign ac-
cent in her tones, but otherwise her Eng
lish was perfect.
"Yes,'' 1 replied. "I was lucky for
once. 1t was matter Of Importance for
me to catch this train"
"Are you fatalistf" she asked.
"Are we not all obliged to be so more
OF less9" returned. Had the cab came
in got in q block, had even missed my
footing as l ran along the platform,
should have missed the train"
at might have been better for you.
Who knows what incidents might not have
sprung for your good from either OF these
accidentsP" she returned, more as If mus
ing aloud than as If directly addressing me-
"The consequence would have been that
should have missed my train, and will
chance missing the other improbable pos
sibilities of good. Who knowsp
She continued: "This train may meet
with an accident. We may all be smashed
up. Your what you call luck may have
been your bad genius fighting against your
better genius, which was holding you
back"
laughed loudly as she obstinately stuck
to her pessimism. She smiled as she lean
ed back in her corner and drew from her
pocket AN elegant little case, which she
opened, and which saw contained ciga-
rettes.
"This Is smoking compartment, is 1t
notP' she queried as she struck match
and lit q cigarette she had selected from
one side of her case.
own was rather disturbed. Possessed
and perfectly at her ease as my companion
had been, there had been feminine charm
about her that did not seem to me suited
to a woman who smokes. However, / took
out my cigar case and was selecting one,
when she said:
"Will you try one of these cigarettes
Please do--one of these. They are slightly
stronger than the one smoke, but they
are very good"
/ thought of refusing, but her eyes had
q way of entreating stronger than hei
words. / took cigarette, and sho smiled,
as If she were gratihed.
"It is good, is 1t notr' she asked, when
puffed the first Whit.
Eyes" l said, "but strong-very
strong"
"Not for a manY'
'For me, yes," answered.
AS 1 remember now, 1t seemed to mt
that the train acquired an unsteady move
ment. noticed that my companion sway
ed backward and forward, and that l hat
to devote all my energies to maintain {
sitting position. / felt convinced that Il
was this swinging motion thai made mi
feel giddy, almost seasick, yet which pro
duced a sort of indifference and listless
ness which assumed a sensation far from
disagreeable gradually bringing on rest
less feeling OF being asleep as to volitior
and power of action, but daily consciou
Of what was passing round me.
/ noticed my companion rise, open th'
window and put her head outside, and
was aware that at the same time, for SOM
reason or other, she held at the top Of tn
window shawl which hung down he
back so that her head and the top part o
her body were concealed from me. My i'm
preston was that this action was consid
crate one TO keep the draft from me.
1t was now quito dark. We had lef
Kings Cross at b:15 p m, and the tim
Of year being very early In February, an,
the weather cloudy, the outside obscurit.
was only occasionally and briefly encroech
Cd upon by the lights of some station
which we dashed by.
My companion only remained at tn
window for few seconds. After CLOSING
1t she took down parcel from the rack
and moving from the corner sat opposit
me.
She leaned forward and closely scruti
nized me- / was in a happy kind OF stu
,sor. could see all she did, though fel
Nat was only able to keep my eyes hal
open. She then rose, and bending over M
delioately raised my eyelids with her mid
die fingers. She seemed now satisfied.
look, Of relief passed over her face.
She CROPPED about on the floor Of the car
riage for something. All, 1t was for tn
end of my cigarette. Having found II
she threw II out OF the window. Then sh
opened the parcel and produced some thil
ropes and small, strange looking instr
ment.
In an incredible short space Of time sh