Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1903-11-20
A CUP OF COFFEE.
By Hero Strong.

right falsehood, for the ten minutes
promised would dwindle into i've, and
then the warning bell would be struck,
and lunchless passengers would boil
their Threats 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 Rossmore 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 life; 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 1t 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 a lady
on the other side.
Rossmore was not a lady's man; he
detested women generally. He had
been Tilted in his youth by a golden
haired little wretch of a f1irt, 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 n
7 look into the handsome face, so full
of concern and SO far above her-for
she was a little thing, and Rossmore
was a six-foot giant-and then with a
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
everything out of his brain.
"Dingl ding! ding! dong!" went the
COMPOUNDED bell, and the lady seized
Rossmore's arm and hurried him to
the car.
I'VE shall lose the train, Willie" she
said, Juggling at his hand, "and that
would be sc unfortunate. Help me up,
do. Where's your manners? | declare!
you act like a pig!" And before Ross
more knew how it had been accom-
plished, he found himself sitting very
close to a most ravishing French hat,
with lavender ribbons; and peeping
out from beneath it, a p%erilously be-
witching face, with blue eyes Inc 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 | de-
test that kind of a buttoni-and l was
going on before you. Florence will
be delighted to see you! Tell me-,
please, are you going to propose to
F1orence?"
She crept up very close to him as she
asked the question, and laid her little
hand confdentia1ly on his arm.
Il don't know" said Rossmore.
That is. l don't feel acquainted with
her."
The fair unknown laughed. Such a
silvery and enchanting laugh as she
had.
you don't? Well, that is good!
How long does it take to get acquaint-
ed with her? You've only known her
fifteen years to my certain knowledge.
Dear me, you have ruined my dress!
The whole cupful went over it, 1
should say. And I drank mine boil
ing. / knew it would be just so, but
when l am travelling nothing sets me
up like a cup of coffee"
By this time Rossmore had got
breath, and began to realize that things
must not go on rs they had begun. He
cleared his throat, but he had a fear
full time doing it,; and his companion
grew very much concerned for him.
My, Willie" said she, whatever
ais you? You must have taken cold
or else you've got the catarrhi You
make a worse noise than old Grand
father Hillardr
There has been a mistake" said
Rossmore. at was all owing to that
Internally hot cup of coffee! Beg your
pardon for using the long word, but
but l shouldn't have spilled it if it
hadn't been so hot"
"Ohi never mind a dress isn't worth
fretting about. I forgive you"
Eyes, but my name is not Willie!"
Not Willie? What is it, l wonder?"
She had crept up close to him again,
and was Ticking the cinders off his
coat collar.
MY name is George Rossmore!" he
said, slowly.
She turned around and looked at him
intently, and as she gazed, the color
went out of her peach-blossom face,
and left her white as marble.
"Therei therei" cried Rossmore.
frightened within an inch of his life,
and fully believing she was going to
collapse and die then and there. Don't
take 1t So hard! 1t was a mistake
mos. natural one, I expect, else you
never would have made it! that
that Is, you-dear me! how wa it? and
what was it?"
His evident distress was too ludic-
~oils. The girl laughed again, and all
he color came back to her face. But
ihe had moved quite away from Ross