Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1894-11-24
A PASSING ACQUAINTANCE.
ICY NJ. L.. Is. BRaSC

lapful of shaded silks; 81 hope nobody
else will GOMEZ"
Except to fill vacancies as we drop
off said a gentleman, as he laid aside
his letters. ''You will see W vacant
chairs at the table Tomorrow"
Very we'll" was the reply. IF you
mast 90. we will spread ourselves and
keep the table full. II we can't have
Mrs. Bruce and you we don 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 rarnble in the pine woods, some to
the concert in the casino. Returning
toward dinner time, they found that Il
telegram had been received from Miss
Milicent Paul. bespeaking a room.
There was n shout of delight on read
ing the telegram. Miliccnt Paul was
known to some of the party, and two
of them had been her schoolmateS at a
fashionable 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
Mt the table.
'Who has Gomez the guests inquired
of one another.
As they took their seats, n man and
his wife entered. in IL hesitating man
new, and were given the two chairs.
Swift chances were directed at them,
and side looks exchanged. They were
evidently plain, hard working people,
entirely unaccustomei 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 o personality that Jared on oil
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 r%aisins,
Did you ever?' II call it an out
rage, forcing such people on u.s."
"The plowman had better stay at
home and plow.' His hands took
away my appetite" 81 hope they are
not going to stay overnight"
The offending couple spent the after
noon walking about to see the views,
aud 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. a. What vii
Milicent Paul say. She will have tc
sit next to them" She'll freeze then
with one glance when she ices tina,
hand reaching in front of her for the
butter"
ooh, 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"
"!lush! I'm too provoked for any
thing. We we're such a nice party til
I those folks pushed in. And wher
= Milicent is coming tool 1t just spoil'
the table
n Next day, while the newcomers were
,,& NJ,1;,a,t D,,l n~r,,oI .,-,t Al,
welcoming EXPLANATIONS of her friends
She was a tall, slender girl with NJ
animated countenance, fashionably
dressed, carrying gold eyeglasses, ant
holding her head uloft in a way pc
culinrly her own. She had plenty t.
say, said it well, and was at once tn,
center Of everything.
At dinner time she took the vacan
seat, and was just receiving her plat
of soup when the much-criticiset
couple came in. The guests were al
consciously watchful, but Miss Pau
seemed to notice nothing. She wa
giving a vivid description Of her jour
ney. Suddenly she paused an instant
u beg your pardon"' she said, pleas
antly, as her embarrassed neighbor at
tempted, rather awkwardly. to rencl
the salt, and, placing it convenient,
near, she resumed her description.
MAY ] trouble you for the pepperp
she asked him a little later; mo
black, ] prefer white. Thank you.
And she spoke in exactly the same ton,
as when she asked handsome youn,
Mr.. Warning across the table if he knev
when the mail went ont. He admired
her non the less for it.
"She has a broader outlook than tn,
rest of u.s. he thought to himself.
A trip to the Notch was planned TO
the next day, to go in the morning ant
return at night, There were enough t,
I'LL two mountain wagons. No, no
quite enough. Those who counte,
found there would be room for tw,
more.
Don't mention it. or Mr.. Wilbu
and his wife may offer to GO" said on,
lady. with a touch of irritation in he
voice.
"Oh. we can't have them," said on,
of the girls, who had been Miss Paul
schoolmate, ''cdn we, Milicent?"
: why notT asked Miss Paul.
"Obl why, because-you known,
doubt they are excellent people, bu
how they would look along with us!'
( my dear Hetty," said Miss Paul
y why be narrow? Why voluntaril,
live in a groovep l have found tn,
most interesting people in the mos
: unexpected places. Don't turn you
back upon your fellow creatures"
Mr. Waring stepped into the hal
where the Wilburs stood difidentl,
examining a last years register.
Would you like to take the trip t,
the Notch tomorrow, with the rest o
the party?" he asked. cordially.
1--WE would like it very much" sait
the man.
Every much indeedw echoed tn,
wife.
The expense is three dollars 70,
each seat"
That's all right" said the man.