The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1879-02-28

for the rain was falling in "a slow,
steady drizzle.
"Oh, dear! what's to be done
now ~ asked Myra, with rueful
face. .f...g. a
Why, take a street car, of
course. | must confess l don't
fancy such close contact with the
great unwashed,' but it's better
than the rain. Wen catch the car
we want at the corner. Quick,
now" .
Laughing, flushed and slightly
out of breath, they took seats in
the car, which, owing to the rain,
was tolei ably full already. @
They logged on a few blocks,
then the car stopped again, and a
little old lady, in a wet green veil
aud an undeniably sha bby water
proof, got in. s. !.
The only seat vacant was beside
Laura Carew, and this tue little
old lady dropped into. Laura in
stantly drew her elegant skirts
away from contact with the damp
waterproof, and whispered to Myra,
"Noah's grandmother, certain as
fate ~
Hush, dear. She might hear
you," whispered Myra.
The old lady did hear the words,
and see the haughty movement,
and drawing herself as far away
as she could, she said, very gently:
Pardon me, fear | shall wet
YOU"
alt is no matter. One expects
everything in u street car,' was
Laura's answer, with toss of her
pretty head.
The old lady turned her head
without saying any more, and
Laura still held her pretty skirts
aside, as if afraid they would touch
the shabby garments OF her neigh
Dor, an expression of displeasure
clouding her pretty face. ~
The next stopping, weary-look-
ing uoman with babe in her arms
came in, and looked in vain tor a
seat.
Myra Golding rose to her feet at
once, saying sweetly.
"Sit here, | eau stand better
than you."
"Much obleeged to ye, ma'am
the baby is heavy" said the woman,
sitting down with Il tired sigh.
Two or three se.tlemer ~ who
had not stirred for the poorly clad
woman, rose speedily to offer
place to the lovely young lady. but
Myra, her red lips curved, coldly
declined them all, and taking hold
of thestrap, she stood beside Laura.
"Myra. how could youf Pm not
obliged to you for my neighbors,"
said Laura, pettishly. "My clothes
will smell of the street for Il weckw
"Oh, do hush, Laura y whisper
ed Myra. 81 aIn sure she heard
you'll" bill
If "she" did not, the little old
lady did. Turning a pair of dark,
twinkling eyes upon the young
lady, she said quietly, "Then Yen
do not believe in the great human
brotherhood, my dear" .u. ...|
mo, madam answered Laura,
shortly, almost rudely. Aud turn
ing to Myra, she added, audibly,
81 believe in these abOminable,
democratic street cars as good
place to meet disagreeable people,
though" - .as .. .'
"Don't Laura p said Myra, her
fair cheeks flush of painful Grim
son. Here is oar corner" she
added gladly. as she pulled the
strap to stop the car.
"Pm glad of it," said Laura, as
they stepped down. .''..
"How could SOU be so rude,
dear 2" asked Myra. ...
"Oh, what's the odds I They
were mere nobodips-only very
common persons, aud don't like
to mix with them. Wen never see
them again, anyhow. So hurry in,
my little Puritan cousin, or we
shan't save our hats yetw
The next day was a clear, bright
November one, the air fresh and
bracing. The two girls, in their
very prettiest toilettes (and when
was dress eper prettier than a taste
full and stylish costume of the pres
ent day y, rolled along in tue
Carew carriage to call upon Mrs.
General Gaynes. II.
Arrived at her aristocratic man
sion, they were shown into a most
elegant little recei 'tiOn parlor, to
await their hostess.
Directly the door opened, and
small figure, robbed in lustreless
black silk, her only ornament "A
rich. almost priceless brooch, which
clasped the lace at her throat, came
toward them with pleasant smile.
And Laura almost dropped TO
the floor. for the first glance at
Mrs. Gaynes showed them the
bright face and keen, twinkling,
black eyes of the little old lady of
the street car!
"Good morning. my dear girls,'
said the kind voice. This is Miss
Carewf No! Miss Golding, then.
| am very glad 10 meet Yen, dear,
for your mothers sake" shaking
Myra's hand, warmly. Sand You,
too, my DEAR" turning pleasantly
to Laura, who was so overwhelmed
with confusion, she could not utter