St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1891-07-18
DEAR OLD FRIENDS"

DEAh UIJ hlENIO.
Delight and Astonishment Of al
Unexpected Meeting.
had just come out of the post-offict
when I caught sight of face thai
seemed familiar to me.
1t was that of a man about my OWE
age, with bronzed features and some
what attenuated figure.
AS was trying to recall when and
where had seen him before our eyes
met. Immediately perceived that our
recognition had been mutual, for he
came toward me with frank expires.
sion of pleasure and held out his hand,
saying:
sHelloa, old fellow, who'd have
thought Of seeing you here?" pdon't
know why he said this, and o. course. I
don't attempt to defend it; but L is style
OF address affected by some men who are
as profoundly astonished if they meet
you in a restaurant as if they mad run
across you in the mines of Speria. I
felt little bit annoyed at his want of
originality; however, smiled pleasant
", and said, as shook hands:
''Well, If you come to that, old fellow,
who'd have thought of seeing you here?"
We stood opposite each other for a
few seconds, 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 il
my presence on the steps of the post
Office was one OF those inexplicable
freaks of chance for which it is hope
less to seek to assign any reasonable
law.
I gave him a few seconds to digest
his astonishment and then, feeling that
the silence was becoming little en-
ibarrassing, said, inconsequently:
well, what have you been doing all
this timer" s,.5s s8Sy
.Well," he replied. eve been in
Australia.
"Oh, ahw ejaculated, as If it had
for q moment slipped my memory
.swhy, you went there"-and / hesi7l
tated, as though calculating within my
self the exact day Of his unknown de-
parture-
''Three years ago." he put in shortly,
"and quite long enough 1t is, too"
! 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:
Sand what sort of time have YOU
had?"
"Oh, much about the same as BEFORE
he answered. with slightly puzzled
mir.
/ 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. I'm
fortunately, I am one of those painfully
constituted people who shrink with
nervous horror from any thing in the
nature of an.explanation, and, in addi-
tion, felt that had gone too far to
cry off without some appearance Of In
sincerity. Besides, he seemed to con-
gratulate 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: 'sOf
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; s'you know
they'll be awfully disappointed If they
hear / have met you and let you off.
without long talk, and join them to-
felt constrained to consent against
my better. Judgment and added, in
solicitous manner:
And how are they all?'
ooh, they are all tip-top-an except:
the Colonel;" after a pause and with
slightly subdned air-''I don't think he
has ever quite got over that affair"
"Ah," rejoined, shaking my head,
sympathetically, lone doesn't get over.
that sort of thing in day, you know;
but the others?"
"What others?" he said, bluntly.
hesitated, and rejoined, vaguely:'
ssWere there not some others?"
He pondered heavily for few sec
pnds before replying: Eyes, / believe
there were some others, but they made
no difference"
I was just murmuring: Every likely
not" when he turned to me abruptly
and said: II hope you don't think he
came badly out of that business2"
His hand seemed to relax its pressure
On my arm, as if he was preparing him
self for some censure or act of coldness
On my part.
( felt touched by this little proof of
his sensitiveness to my good opinion,
and pressed his fingers as rejoined,
Il never, never heard any one
speak otherwise than highly Of his con-
duct in the matter"
He stopped and said. shortly:
tsWhy, who knows any thing about
4? I thought you and had it all to
ourselves"
Eyes, yes;" ! faltered, and added