The Washington critic., 1888-03-31
Fcquaintanee.

lusL Ol NONelnDcf, you KNOW, bUcy
went abroad--so have had no oppor-
tunity since. She was anxious : to
have roe pay her visit in November,
that might make the young gentle
mans acquaintance; but, owing to
mammals Illness, didn't 60"
AT any rate, l shall be glad to
have ho,, the pleasure e@s Of introducing O
when heard that Edith was engaged
| to Tom, and now am waiting impa-
| tiently for your opinion of him"
"Oh, II you and Edith both like
| him, probably / shall not" laughed
Jean; 81 am apt to be perverse.
believe you said you expected the
other brother also. Is he Just as
| nice %
'1is coming is not at all certain"
answered May; business may detain
him." Then, in reply TO her friends
other query, she continued: 81 like
him; but whether you would is an
other thing. YOU are so difficult"
Jean laughed.
"Now tell me who else is coming"
she said.
While May was describing the rest
Of the party, most of " HON Jean knew,
hardwood appeared in sight.
Miss Athol gave an exclamation of
delight. at is lovely here at all
seasons OF the year. was her admring
comment. 81 quite envy you
| May smiled, pleased with her
friend enthusiasm.
81 prefer il to New York" she said;
''and then Albany is so near"
As she finished speaking, they
reached the house and alighted. In
few minutes Jean was resting in ner
room. ttt
Some days later Miss Athol's horse
and groom arrived, and the two girls
had several pleasant rides together,
The remainder of the week passed
quietly, but agreeably. A soft spring
day ushered the new month in.
| May was in state of high delight
and anticipation. During the course
of the morning she amused herself
greatly by practicing all sorts of alb
surd Jokes on her much enduring
family and friend.
MAY is rs fond of fun as ever--is
Z she not?" aughingly inquired Jean,
n after one of these attempts al hoax.
~ Indeed she is," said Mrs. Gilling-
ham. shaking her head and glancing
indulgently at her only child. 81
believe she is just as bad as when
she was at boarding school,"
Such pranks as she did play,
then" And Jean laughed merrily at
the remembrance of them.
But now," pouted May, "you are
all sowide awake that cant victim
ize you"
perhaps you'll have ( chance
get" said her friend, smiling as she
spoke. = -|t
Later in the afternoon, the cx-
pected visitors arrived, carriages hav-
ing been sent TO meet them.
"In the midst of the merry contu-
sion of greetings and introductiobs,
May approached Jean, followed~by a
tall and rather good looking man of
about 28, who answered TO her friend
Edith's description. D., x
let me introduce you, Mr.. Collins,
to my friend-Miss Athol," she said.
81 am delighted to meet you," was
the young mans cordial response TO
Jeans graceful greeting, 81 have often
heard my cousin speak of you"
Edith, May and i are very dear
friends" Jean spoke warmly.
'Please add" cried their hostess,
gaily, "though of course il is not of so
much importance, that / also have
mentioned her TO YOU"
"Oh, | hope not" exclaimed Jean,
in mock dismay. "She would have
bee insure to say nothing good about
me-"
Mr.. Collins laughed, then fastened
to add:
LET me reassure YOU, Miss Athol; |
have heard your name from both
these ladies', but only in such q way
as to induce me to desire very much
the pleasure | have just now had,
though j don't doubt there was no
lack of will to abuse you on Miss
Mays part
"rhat's right" said the latter, in
pretended indiuatiOn. "Take the
privilege of,long acquaintance and de-
sclt me for the last newcomer, ii
! you choose; ] shall be reveAged
later"
Just then the warning bell rang,
and the party separated to dress for
dinner. As they did so Jean whispered
, in her friends ear
II think shall like Edith's lover.
|, So the, other brother didn't come|'
y NO. Answered May, as she turned
toward her own room "IIe went to
Washington to attend to some busi-
ness" 81
Her place at the dinner table being
d at some distance from Mr.. Collins,
Jean had good opportunity of study.
ing his face. Atthe close of the meal
she decided that she liked it. Yes,
} she was inclined to approve her
friends judgment. She must culti-
vate his acquaintance and see whether
time would confirm the first impress
sion
| The gentleman himself seemed to