The Washington herald., 1913-03-01
RENEWING OLD ACQUAINTANCE
BY FRED c. KELLY.

ny FRED Z. hELLH.
| As the car slowed up a man and .
woman stepped off. The woman was .
demuFe but pleasant-faced little creature.
dressed neatly in plain clothes.
The man who got of right behind her
was dressed better than she was. He
was not immaculate, but he was well
dressed and looked fairly prosperous
| The two did not recognize each other.
But as they waited for an automobile
to go by, making faces at the speed
limit. the woman turned around and got
good look at the man. A glimmer of
recognition lighted her face. She started
to speak, and then hesitated. At that
moment he caught her eye looked at her
squarely. and then turned away, half
embarrassed for fear she might think he
was trying TO be fresh.
rs il you, Rob-" spoke up the woman.
ftimidIy.
The nan grinned as he replied:
| thought i recognized you when
saw you sizing me up Well. how are
you. Carrie. anyway? Livin' here
now?"
| Yes" she replied. we've been here
Ia little more than a year. Isn't II
funny that ] should have recognized
you: ! don't think I've ever seen you
nut once since You quit school. See. what
| stopped?'
Eighth" replied the man. ''I went
as lar as the high school and then quit.
I've often wished I'd gone on, but
couldn't see IL tfen. You went on and
graduated. didn't you?''
The woman nodded II remember
now, she said. You dropped out when
We were in Miss Jackson's grade. II
i was the wear that YOU sat right cat-a-
ccrnered from me You
Yes, interrupted the man. you prob
ably remember how You used to help me
out on grammar. I could get arithmetic
all right. but how I did hate that thing
OF parsing sentences. Seemed SO foolish
Arithmetic You could figure out, but
grammar got me. You were always good
in grammar, wern't your"
The little woman laughted at the COM
pliment. You know she said. Il re-
member you best sitting right behind
me. II must have been in about the sixth
grade, think. You were always foolIng
with the ribbons on my hair when they
would fall back on your desk. and I got
mad and asked the teacher to move nv
seat. Then about a week after that YOU
pulled me out OF the ice pond when I
Tell In. OF course the water wasn't very
deep. but l remember thought you were
mighty brave to venture SO close TO the
break in the ice and pull me out. Well.
those things seem like a long time ago,
X
either. except when YOU stop to think Of
all the changes that have come since
then. Are YOU married. Bob
"oh. yes" NODDED Bob. You are.
spose."
Yes" she replied smiling We've
been married about three years and a
half. You just ought to see our little
girl-just fifteen months old next week.
Everybody here thinks she's lots older
than that. she looks so big and healthy.
guess you never knew my husband
met him in the East four or five years
ago. He came here TO take charge OF a
church whose pastor died suddenly
presume You have some little ones at
home
Yes a couple" admitted the man.
One three and the other one just a
Few months old-eight months"
I'd like so much TO see them. You
must come out and look us up some day
-apd she began to tumble for card to
give him their address-'it would be such
fun talking over the old days when we
were youngsters in school. haven't
been back home for long time. ! sup
pose there's been good many changes.
DO YOU get home very Often2 You don't?
No. ] don't suppose there is much to take
you back any mere. Well. you come TO
see us some day and bring the children
know we'll have a good laugh chatting
=
them are still teaching. I guess Oh, do
You remember how you used to make me
pass your notes over to that little curly
haired Martin girl that sat on the other
side of me-the one that lived in the old
Hamilton property on Market Street. you
know
Bob grinned foolishIy as he ac-
knowledged that he did have some reccs-
lection of that affair.
Well. she repeated once more. 'be
sure To come out now real soon I'm
glad to see you looking so we'll. Bob.
You must he getting along nicely
She started on up the street to the
marked-down sale she was after, and
he went mis- way in an opposite direc-
;ion. \ quarter of an hour later. as he
stood in his place of business. wiping up
the foam on a mahogany counter In front
of him. he smiled a peculiar little smile
to himself as he thought OF the chance
meeting.
Funny thing happened while ago.
Tom" he remarked to the man with his
foot on the brass rail. as he filed his
order. Just as ! was getting off the car
a little girl-woman she is now. Of
! used to go to school with
recognized me and spoke to me- ] don't
believe I'd have known her If she hadn't
spoke TO me first. She's married to a
preacher now. she told me. Wants mo
10 come out ana see em and bring the
kids along. What d'yuh know bout that
He and I'd be great company for each
other. wouldn't We. Huh, Well, she
didn't ask me what my business was,
and | was glad Of II. ! suppose she'll he
though. why don't come out
and get acquainted with her husband
Yes. that's right He don't move in my
set. Ha, Same thing over again for
yours All right
Funny about that girl bein' married
10 a preacher and askin' me out to see