Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-02-26
DEAR OLD FRIENDS"
Delight and Astonishment of an
.-. Unexpected Meeting. ..--

1 had Just come out of the post-office
when 1 caught sight of face that
seemed familiar to me. .- .- -.at
It was that of man about my own
age, with bronzed features and some
what attenuated figure.
As I was trying to recall when and
where I had seen him before our eyes
met. I Immediately perceived that our
recognition had been mutual, for he
came toward me with frank express
sion of pleasure and held out his hand,
saying:
"HeIIoa, old fellow, who'd have
thought of seeing you here?" l don't
know why he said this, and of course, l
don't attempt to defend it; butt is astyle
of address affected by some men who are
as profoundly astonished if they meet
you in a restaurant as if they had run
across you in the mines of Siberia. 1
felt little bit annoyed at his want of
originality; however, smiled pleasant
", and said, as shook hands:
''Wel, If you come to that, old fellow,
who'd have thought of seeing you here?'
We stood opposite each other for
few seconds, I simpering somewhat
emptily at the nature of our greeting,
and struggling to recall his name; and
he, with his head slightly on one side,
and an expression of courteously sup
pressed amusement on his face, as if
my presence on the steps of the post
office was one of those inexpicable
freaks of chance for which it is hope
less TO seek to assign any reasonable
law.
l gave him a few seconds to digest
his establishment, and then, feeling that
the silence was becoming a little en-
barrassing, said, incOnsequently:
''Well, what have you been doing all
this time?''
''Well," he replied, I've. been in
Australia. .
''Oh, ahr' l calculated, as if it had
for a moment slipped my memory;
why, you went there"-and hest
tated, as though calculating within my
self the exact day of his unknown de-
parture- ..a
Three years ago." he put in shortly,
land quite long enough it is, too
1 ran over in my mind my acquaint-
ances of three years ago, but could re-
call no trace of recollection of my new
companion; so, to gain time and to
gather fresh information, / asked:
''And what sort of time have you
had?" ...... ..:.s..
''Oh, much about the same as before, &"
he answered, with a slightly puzzled
air. .-.
1 candidly admit that the sensible
thing for me to have done would have
been to own up and admit that had
forgotten my friends personality. Tn
fortunately, 1 am one of those painfully
constituted people who shrink with
nervous horror from any thing in the
nature of an explanation, and, in addi-
ton, 1 felt that had gone too far to
cry off without some appearance of in
sincerity. Besides, he seemed to con-
graduate himself SO warmly upon what
he insisted upon looking on as our prov
idential meeting, that my lips were
sealed, and felt confirmed in the idea
that if let things slide little longer,
his name would recur to my mind.
He had slipped his arm through mine
as we walked uptown with an easy
sense of good-fellowship, and said: ''Of
course you'll dine with me this evening.
Now, don't say you are engaged" he
added, as hesitated for an instant be-
tween my desire to have more of my
companion and my disinclination to
dine under false pretenses; you know
they'll be awfully disappointed if they
hear l have met you and let you off
without long talk, and join them to-
morrow"
l felt constrained to consent against
my better Judgment and added, in a
playfully solicitous manner:
"And how are they all?''
''oh, they are all tip-top-al except
the Colonel" after pause and with a
slightly subdued ARR don't think he
has ever quite got over that affair."
''Ah," 1 rejoined, shaking my head
alphabetically, lone doesn't get over
that sort of thing in day, you know
but the others?''
''What others?" he said, bluntly.
1 hesitated, and rejoined, vaguely
''Were there not some others?"
He pondered heavily for few sec
onds before replying: ''Yes, believe
there were some others, but they made
no difference
was just murmuring: every likely
not, when he turned to me abruptly
and said: 81 hope you don't think he
came badly out of that business?"
His hand seemed to relax its pressure
on my arm, as if he was preparing him
self for some censure or act of coldnes.
on my part. s. s a-~-s
felt touched by this little proof O.
his sensitiveness to my good opinion
and pressed his fingers as 1 rejoined
warmly: Il never, never heard any one
speak otherwise than highly of his con
duct in the matter,
He stopped and said, shortly:
why, who knows any thing abou
it? 1 thought you and l had it al t.
ourselves"
eyes, yes;'' ] faltered. and. added
you know you have been away 70
some time, old fellow"
1t did not seem to fit in very well
but he accepted it as an argument AM
said: rsf-
There is something in that, bu
don't let people talk about it. Ilnov
he relies upon you and me-"
There was something so touching il
the romance OF this unknown, UnaJ
glow Of sympathetic affection warme'
my heart and resolved on the spo
that his confidence should not be. inis
/ placed Come what might, the secre
iQf that old mans lie should never b