The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-11-13
A CUP OF COFFEE.

BY Hero Strong.

WV
I Ten minutes for refreshments"
sang out the conductor, with grandi-
loquent air, as if he were conscious OF
enunciating a very highly important
truth, when he knew and every one
else knew, that he was telling a down
right falsehood, for the ten minutes
promised would dwindle into five, and
then the warning bell would be struck,
and lunchless passengers would boil
their thrOats with scalding tea and
coffee, and rush for their seats with
the comfortable impression that they
had drank it, and saved their money,
even if they had got their Threats
scalded.
George Rossmcre knew very well
that there would not be half time
enough to eat anything in a Christian
manner, for he had travelled a great
deal in his lie; but his head ached,
and he was out Of sorts generally, and
a cup of coffee was all important
So he left his comfortable seat, rush
ed into the refreshment room, called
for his beverage, and did his best to
put himself outside of it when it came.
But it was absolutely boiling, and in
his frantic efforts to cool it, by pour
ing it into a saucer, his elbow was
logged by somebody beside of him, and
spilled the scalding contents Of his
cup on the lovely silk dress Of lady
on the other side.
{ Rossmore was not lady's man; he
detested women generally. He had
been Tilted in his youth by golden
haired little wretch of firt, and he
had given the sex a good deal of sea-
room ever since.
But he must, Of course, apologize
for running her dress, and he turned to
(. do So The lady turned also, gave one
Hook into the handsome face, so full
\ Vf concern and so far above her-for
she was little thing, and Rossmore
was a six-foot giant-and then with
scream of delight she flung her arms
around him, pulled his face down to
hers, and gave him a series of kisses
which fairly knocked all ideas Of
sgerything out of his brain.
Ding ding! ding! dong!" went the
CoRfounded bell, and the lady seized
Rossmore's arm and hurried him to
the car.
1--WE shall lose the train, Willie" she
said tugging at his hand, "and that
would be so unfortunate. Help me up,
do. Where's your manners? l declare!
you act like a pig!" And before Ross
more knew how it had been accom-
he found himself sitting very
slNa Use to most ravishing French hat,
WI Nth lavender ribbons; and peeping
Vat from beneath it, a periloUsly be-
y witching face, with blue eyes and lips
like a rifted pomegranate And she
had kissed him!
After ALL it wasn't so dreadfully I'M
pleasant to think of as it might have
been.
1--WE didn't expect you on this train, "
said the fair girl pulling at the but
ton Of her glove. Dear me, how l de-
test. that kind of a button!-and l was
- Aing on before you. Florence will
delighted to see you! Tell me-
9ease, are you going to propose to
Florence"
She crept Up very close to him as she
asked the question, and laid her little
hand conidentially on his arm.
IL don't know" said Rossmore
1'That is, l don't feel acquainted with
her"
IA The fair unknown laughed. Such g
silvery and enchanting laugh as She
Z had
you don't? Well. that is good
How long does It take to get acquaint
ed with her? You've only known he
fifteen years to my certain knowledge
Dear me. you have ruined my dress
The whole cupful went over
should say. And I crank mine bill
dRZ. / knew it would "a 'u BIZ