The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1894-11-22
A Passing Acquaintance.
BY NJ. L. B. BRANCH.

In n mountain hotel gay group of
,aorders were seated about in hall
and parlor, engaged in fancywork,
reading or light games, while CHEEKY
FIRE burned brightly on the hearth,
br it was late in the season.
"We are just nice party now,
said one young lady, looking up from
ler lapfnl of shaded silks F.; hope no.
body else will come y
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. eff
vou 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
10 ramble in the pine woods, some to
| the concert in the casino. Returning
toward dinner time, they found that
Telegram had been received from Miss
lIicent Paul, bespeaking a room.
| There was a 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
fashionable seminary three years be-
fore
"Miicent will be the roseleaf on
our cup of happiness, said one; "and
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 Gomez" the guests in
lulred of one another.
AS they took their seats, o man and
us wife entered, in a hesitating man
Per, and were given the two chairs,
witt glances were directed at them,
nd side looks exchanged. They were
udently plain, hard working people,
ntlrely unaccustomed to travelling
nd to hotel life. In an instant the
rglnal party became a clique. They
Afdiy concealed their dislike of the
eVcomers, who had brought among
lem personality that Jared on all
pelr sense of what was stylish, con-
thuonal and agreeable. The two
rangers ate heartily, helped them
ives to what they wanted, finished
eir meal and left the table, before
I rest OF the company had reached
ell nuts and raisins.
Did you ever?" 81 call it an out
81 forcing such people on us"
ine plowman had better stay at
''ne and plow." ellis hands took
ay my appetite" 81 hope they
not going to stay over night"
ine offending couple spent the af-
'uooh walking about to see the
s"S' and then sat out in the piazza
supper time. After supper, the
iucism recommended.
iheyre going to stay. Their trunk
gone up to No. IA" "What will
'iceht Paul say? She will have to
next to them" "She'll freeze
'n with one glance when she sees
= nand reaching in front of her for
butter"
on' come now!" said the brother
'le last speaker; ''you knew they
'uea the butter, and you should
passed it, seeing the waiter was
on hand"
huSh! I'm too provoked for any
As' We were such a nice party till
80 ioiks pushed in. Aud when
.Vu' is coming tool 1t just spoils
table"
eA' aay, while the newcomers were
-u'icent Paul arrived, amid the
'0inihs ordinations of her friends.
was a tall, slender girl with an
''eu countenance, fashionably
,s'a' ! carrying gold eyeglasses, and
a'ug her head aloft in a way pecu-
! lss own. She had plenty to