The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1894-12-07
A PASSING ACQUAINTANCE.
BY NJ l. Il. BRANCH

boardarS 1n tain motel gay group of
and parlor, engaged in fn'onh ianin IN hall
reading or light games, while d CHEEKY
fire burned brightly on the hearth, for
ii was late in the season.
We are just a nice party now" said
one young lady, looking up from her
lapful of shaded silks; Il hope nobody
9jhe will comet"
his letters. You eancies as we drop
chairs at the table tomorrow. --;1A
Very we'll was the reply. ''If 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
fashi onabIe seminary three years be-
fore
''MiIicent will be the roseleat on our
cup of happiness" said one; ''and how
fortunate that there is room for her at
our ia BILE"
The dinner bell rang, and the merry
group betook themselves to the dining
room. Two chairs were turned down
at the table.
'Who has Gomez" the guests inquired
OF one aHOJner.
As they took their seats, a man and
his wife entered, in a hesitating man
new, 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 mad 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-
y
rage, forcing such people on us"
The plowman had better stay at
home and plow" ''His hands took
away my appetite" Il 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
MiIicent 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 nice party till
those folks pushed in. And when
Milicent is coming too! 1t just spoils
the table"
Next day, while the newcomers were
out Milicent Paul arrived, amid the
welcoming exclamations of her friends.
She was tall, slender girl with an
animated coun tenance, fashionably
dressed, carrying gold eyeglasses, and
holding her head aloft in way pc
cuIiarly her own. She had plenty to
say, said it well, and was at once the
center of everyth ing.
At dinner time she took the vacant
seat, and was just receiving her plate
of soup when the much-criticlsed
couple came in. The guests were ali
consciously watchful, but Miss Paul
seemed to notice nothing. She was
giving vivid description of her jour
ney. Suddenly she paused an instant.
Il 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 descrip ption.
May / trou bic you for the pepper"
she asked him a little later; mot
black, | prefer white. Thank you"
And she spoke in exactly the same tone
as when she asked handsome young
Mr.. w airing across the table if he knew
when the mail went out lie 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 go in the morning and
return at night. There were enough to
fill two mountain wagons. No. not
quite enough. Those who counted
found t-ere would be room for two
more.
Don't mention it, or Mr.. Wilbur
and his wife may offer to GO" 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 Paufs
schoolmate, ''cdH we, Milicent?'
why not?" asked Miss Paul.
''Oh. why, because-you know-no
d oubt they are excellent people, but
how they would look along with u.s."
MY dear Hetty," said Miss Paul,
''why be narrow? Why voluntarily
live in a groove? l have found the
most interesting people in the most
unexpected places. Don't turn your
back upon your fellow creatures"
Mr.. Waring stepped into the hall
where the Wilburs stood di ffidently
examining a last years register.
Would you like to take the trip to
the Notch tomorrow, with the rest of
the party?" he asked cordially
1--WE would like it very much," said
the man.
Very much indeed" echoed the
wife
THE expense is three dollars for
each seat"
That's all right" said the man.
..And now which of US will have to
sit next them?" murmured the girls in
the parlor.