St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-08-16
A FAIR SMOKER.

ton, where the express was to start
Immediately. Time was precious in
mycase, and | could i'll afford to miss
this special train, which did not stop
till it reached Crewe.
| rushed along as fast as could,
carrying my travelling bag.
what class?" shouted a porter.
First" l replied, struggling with
the door of the nearest first class
compartment.
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 compartment of the next car
rage | was hastily hustled as the
train gradually acquired motion.
The first thing / noticed as l re-
covered self possession was that the
only other occupant of the compart-
ment was lady, young, good look
ing, and stylishly attired. The Sec
ond, which may appear slightly in
congruous, was that smoking" was
unmistakaby inscribed on the win
dows.
The anomaly struck me immediate
ly, and my mind, seeking comprom-
Use, suggested that the lady might be
aforeigner and had not comprehended
the significance of the window legend.
Her style was not English. There
was an elegance and fitness combined
with simplicity in her attire, some
thing so strictly feminine in her get
up" which was foreign to an English
woman's appearance.
So far had my reasoning gone,
when my companion, who had been
looking at me with mingled ex-
preston of astonishment and pity,
said;
you nearly missed the train"
There was a suspicion of foreign
accent in her tones, but otherwise
her English was perfect.
Yes" replied, Il was lucky for
once TWAS matter of Importance
torme to catch this train"
Are you fatalist p she asked
Are we not all obliged to be SO
more or less?" Returned. Had the
cab l came in got in block, had |
even missed my footing as [ ran
along the platform, should have
missed the train"
at might have been better for you.
Who knows what incidents tor your
good might not have sprung from
either of these accidents?" she re-
turned, more as if musing aloud than
as it addressing me.
The consequence would have been
that should have missed my train
and will chance missing the other
impossible probabilities of good.
Who knows?"
She continues: This train may
meet with an accident. We may all
be smashed up. Your what you call
luck may have been your bad genlu;
lighting against your better genius
which was holding you back"
laughed loudly as she obstinately
stuck to her pessimism. She smiled
as she leaned back in her corner anc
drew from her pocket an elegant lit
tie case, which she opened, and whlct
| saw contained cigarettes.
This is smoking compartment
is it not?" she queried, as she struck
amatch and lit a cigarette she ha6
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 hel
that did not seem to me suited to
woman who smokes. However,
took out my cigar case and was Sc
Letting one, when she SAID:
will you try one Of these cigar
cites? Please do-one of these. They
are slightly stronger than the one
smoke, but they are very good"
| thought of refusing, but her eyes
mad a way of entreating stronge
than her words. took cigarette
and she smiled, aslfshe weregratihed
1t is good, is it not?" she asked
when | puffed the first Whit.
Yes" l said, "but strong Yer,
strong.