The Van Buren press., 1894-12-01
A PASSING ACQUAINTANCE.
ny NJ. L. n. BRANCH.

IN a mountain hotel gay group OF
boarders were seated about in hall
and parlor, engaged in fancywork,
reading or light games, while CHEEKY
fire burned brightly on the hearth, for
1t was late in the season.
I'VE are just nice party now," said
one young lady, looking up from her
lapful of shaded silks; 81 hope nobody
else will comel"
Except to fill vacancies as we drop
Off" said gentleman, as he laid aside
his letters. "You will see two vacant
chairs at the table tomorrow"
VERY we'll" was the reply III you
must go, we will spread ourselves and
keep the table full. If we can't have
Mrs. Bruce and you we don't want any.
one."
The next morning the home-bound
travellers left on the early stage, and
at the last moment another guest de-
cided to accompany them.
The party remaining went out, some
TO ramble in the pine woods, some to
the concert in the casino Returning
toward dinner time, they found that a
telegram had been received from Miss
Milicent Paul, bespeaking a room.
There was shout OF delight on read
Ing the telegram. Milicent Paul was
known to some Of the party, and two
of them had been her schoolmates at a
shionable seminary three years be-
fore.
"Milicent will be the roseleat on our
cup Of happiness" said one; land how
fortunate that there is room for her at
our table"
The dinner bell rang, and the merry
group betook themselves to the dining
room. Two chairs were turned down
at the table.
"Who has come?' the guests inquired
of one another
As they took their seats, man and
his wife entered in hesitating man
nev, and were given the two chairs.
Swift glances were directed at them,
and side looks exchanged. They were
evidently plain, hard working people,
entirely unaccustomed to travelling
and to hotel life. In an instant the
original party became a clique. They
hardly concealed their dislike of the
newcomers, who had brought among
them a personality that Jared on all
their sense of what was stylish, con-
ventional and agreeable. The two
strangers ate heartily, helped them
selves to what they wanted, finished
their meal and left the table, before
the rest Of the company had reached
their nuts and raisins.
"Did YOU ever?" II call It an out.
rage, forcing such people on us. !"
"The plowman had better stay at
home and plow." "Ilis hands took
away my appetite" II hope they are
not going to stay overnight"
The offending couple spent the after
noon walking about to see the views,
and then sat out in the piazza till sup
per time. After supper, the criticism
recommended.
"They re going to stay. Their trunk
has gone up to No. IA" What will
Milicent Paul say? She will have to
sit next to them" "She'll freeze them
with one glance when she sees that
hand reaching in front of her for the
butter"
"Oh, come now!" said the brother OF
the last speaker; you knew they
needed the butter, and you should have
passed it, seeing the waiter was not on
hand"
Hush! I'm too provoked for any
thing. We were such a nice party till
those folks pushed in. And when
Milicent is coming tool 1t just spoils
the table"
Next day, while the newcomers were
out, Milicent Paul arrived, amid the
welcoming EXPLANATIONS of her friends.
She was tall, slender girl with an
animated coun tenance, fashionabiy
dressed, carrying gold eyeglasses, and
holding her head aloft in way pe-
culiarly her own. She had plenty to
say, said it we'll, and was at once the
center of everythi ing.
At dinner time she took the vacant
seat, and was just receiving her plate
of soup when the much-criticised
couple came in. The guests were all
consciously watchful, but Miss Paul
seemed to notice nothing. She was
giving vivid description OF her jour
ney. Suddenly she paused an instant
II beg your pardon!" she said, pleas
antly, as her embarrassed neighbor at
tempted, rather awkwardly, to reach
the salt, and, placing it conveniently
near, she resumed her description.
MAY trou BILE you for the pepper"'
she asked him little later; mot
black, prefer white Thank you."
And she poke in exactly the same tone
as when she asked handsome young
Mr. Waring across the table if he knew
when the mail went out. He admired
her none the less for it.
"She has a broader outlook than the
rest of u.s." he thought to himself.
A trip to the Notch was planned FOR
the next day, to 60 in the morning ana
return at night. There were enough TO
fiji two mountain wagons. No. not
quite enough. Those who counted
fo,od there would be room for two
more. ,,,.,,.
Don't mention it, or Mr. Wilbur
and his wife may offer to go, b" said one
lady, with touch OF irritation in her
voice.
"Oh. we can't have them," said one
of the girls, who had been Miss Pauis
schoolmate, "cdn we, Milicent'
"Why not?" asked Miss Paul.
"Obl why, because-you know-no