The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-23
THE
OTHER : GUEST.
By GEORGE R. SIMS.
Copyright 1885, by Bachelor johnson and Bachelor
kind of company for him for Christmas

klnu OF company LOT MN ior Shfisliiao
day.
While he was talking to the waiter
the "other guest" came into the Coffee
room. He had on his hat and Overcoat,
and was evidently just going out.
He was a tall goodlooking young fell
low of about twenty and five, but his
face was pale and his eyes had a dull,
heavy look as though he hadn't had
good nights rest. AN invalid here for
the air like myself" thought Oldroyd:
| Perhaps he'll be as glad-as glad OF
my company as 1 shall be of his
The young man called the waiter 10
| him. You asked me at breakfast what
time I'd dine" he said. land said six,
| but I'd forgotten it was Christmas day.
| Perhaps you'll be wanting to go out
| II so, any hour will do for me"
THANK you, SIR said the waiter.
I'm going home to my young uns at
one, sir just to sit down with EN- at the
kids dinner sir. and must be back for
this gentleman at six. sir, SO six Will
suit me very WELL sir
Mr. Oldroyd saw his opportunity.
II hope you won't think it presump-
ton on my part or an impertinence.
he said, but we seem to be two lonely
men in an inn on Christmas day, and If
YOU would give me the pleasure of your
company to dinner tonight. in my sit
ting room, I-er-I assure you l should
be very grateful
The young man hesitated. you are
very good" he said. after pause, put
you don't know me, and
"And you don't know me, that's true
AS there is nobody to introduce us
we must introduce ourselves. My name
is Oldroyd. John Oldroyd. l believe l
have been written about good deal in
~. e;, rot from SOlt II
Africa. and you may have heard some
thing about me- The South African
Croesus, / believe, l am occasionally
called"
The young man looked up at the
| elder one, scanned him quietly for mo-
ment and then heaved deep sigh =.
You are a lucky man, sir. l can't
understand you having to ask stran-
| ger to be your companion on Cnrlst-
mas day, but If it will really give you
pleasure to have my society i VIII ac-
cept your hospitality with pleasure
My name is Weston. Arthur weston
and l am not a millionaire"
..Thank your lucky stars, sir. tha'
| Won are not; but you are going out
Six o'clock in my room-thats under
stood" r.,
eyes. Thank you very much. I'm
afraid my dinner alone in the cotfet
room would have been very cheeries'
one. Good morning.
The two men bowed pleasantly u
each other, and Arthur Weston wen
out of the hotel and strode on rapiuiS
in the direction of the hills.
"A nice young fellow, that, Yer!
nice Young fellow" said Mr.. Oldroyt
TO himself, but he's got something OF
his mind. Well. he hasn't had it there
SO long as | have. and so l suppose n,
hasn't got as used to it yet. Waiter?
Yes, sir
Let the dinner be the best you car
| manage, and the best wine in the Gel
lar. Bring me your wine list upstairs
and I'll look it over; and, by-the-bye
l wouldn't let you put any green stui
i'm my room yesterday. but as l am go
ing to have company you can stich
some holly and mistletoe about. IL
like to make that young man feel al
Christmassy as possible. He looks al
IL he wanted it,"
Punctually at 6 o'clock, Authrr Wes
| ton came up stairs in Mr.. Oldroyd
sitting-room The dinner was perfect
Il have eaten my Christmas dinner
more than once in the old-fashionet
Malvern hotel, never thank God, quite
alone, and | can vouch for the excel
lency of the kitchen and the cellar.
Both men were genial and amiable, ant
under the influence of the surrounding!
became more and more at their east
with each other. But the geniality wa!
in each case a little hollow and littl'
forced, and each of them knew by in
stinct that the other was playing {
part.
The elder man drank as much as th'
younger. but he was more seasoned, ant
the wine had no effect upon him. HI
was always John OldrOyd, the cautions