Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-07-18
An UNPLEASANT SURPRISE.

Aud mother II ns'er grow old.
An UNPLEASANT SURPRISE.
Louise" said Miss Harrison. passing
Mt the foot of the stairs, on her way from
the kitchen to the sitting room. Are
YOU ready? think / hear the sleigh
bells"
"Oh, auntier" replied Rirlish voice
from bedroom at the head of the stairs.
IL haven't even begun 70 dress. Do
come up aud help me, please
my dear child, Why, supposed you
were ready long ago" said Miss Harri-
son. as she entered her nieoe's room.
what has been the natter"
al became so nterested in that book"
replied Louise. indicating with nod a
volume lying on the floor by the table,
THAT I forgot all about the sleighing
party" and IA she spoke she caught a
dress from hook in the closet and drew
Il over her head.
stop! stop" exclaimed her aunt,
"don't put on your dress until you
change your skirt, Louise. l see the
rufile has been torn almost all the way
around"
"But pinned it on again" said the
girl.
"Why did yon not sew it?''
ooh, I hadn't time. Never mind, 1t
won't show. Ican't stop to find another
skirt now"
"But surely you are going 10 ar
range your hair. Louise" said Miss
Harrison. cit Is ia most untidy con-
dition."
III mussed it lying down on the sofa.
But IL will have to do as II Is. haven't
time TO tix il now" and Louise hastily
buttoned her dress and tied scarf
about her neck. I'm put my veil on
and 1t won't show. Where's my ulster?
Oh, there's the sleigh stopping at the
door now" and she seized her hat and
caught up pair Of gloves lying on the
window sill.
"Louise, stop. my dear. Don't run
of half dressed. Your shoes are not
even buttoned. and the fingers Of those
gloves are all out. Where can l look for
another. pairT'
~ don't know, I'm sure" hurriedly
answered the girl. Never mind; I'll
keep my hands In my muff," and, tying
her veil about her hat, she ran down
stairs aud ont OF the front door before
her aunt could utter another word.
by the curbstone large sleigh, drawn
by four powerful horses, stood waiting.
Is was filled with happy. faced young
people, and az Louise ran down the steps
a young man pushed aside the buffalo
robes and sprang ont to meet her, gen.
eral smile going round as he did 60; for
Harry Valiant's attentions to Miss Har-
rison's niece had been too marked dur
ing tho past few weeks to escape notice,
and had caused good deal Of gossip In
Briartowa.
Harry was general favorits by rea-
son Of his wealth, good looks and pleas
ant manners. and he had already &C
quired considerable reputation as law.
yer. So there was large number Of
young ladies' In Briartown who would
gladly have exchanged places with Lou.
lac In his regard, and who thought IL
rather hard that his choice should Rave
fallen upon one who was comparatively
astranger 70 them all; for Louise's home
was In large city several hundred miles
distant, and she was visiting her aunt
for tho first time.
The sleighine party had been arranged
by the young lawyer In Lonise's honor.
and It proved veiy important event in
her life; for, coming home by moonlight,
Harry asked and obtained her consent
to become his wife, snbjsct to the APP
proval OF her parents.
Miss Harrison was sitting MP for her
niece when at ten o'clock she came ir,
her eyes sparkling and her cheeks flushed
with excitement.
"Aunt Margaret" she said. throwing
herself on hassock at tho iady's feet,
am just the happiast girl in the world.
Can't You guess whyf"
Think can, Louise" said Miss Har-
rieon, In low voice. "My dear child,
you are 10 be congratulated. Harry Va
liant 10 one Of the finest young men
have ever met"
And you don't think father will OBJ
"why should he? think he will be
very much pleased that you have done
90 we'll. And you must try to make
Harry happy. Louise"
"Oh. shalt, Of COURSE said the girl,
with q little laugh. al will begin ut
once TO copy after you, Aunt Margaret.
fou are as nearly perfect as any woman
Her aunt smiled.
i do not think Harry will find you
unamiable OF. exacting," she said. II
only fear
"That win shock him by my careless
habits" interrupted Louise. Nov you
know that is what you were going 10 say.
Aunt Margaret"
"Somethina like that. my dear. OF
course, when you marry You will live At
never desert his widowed mother. And
Briartown than she il. l don't think
ffsNlA o0f Tan mi sne 1xx~k
you .poksd IN every crack and chink Of
her house,
II shant AJAX her to LET metry, laughed
Louise But really. auntis, think You
ars inclined 10 cxaggcrAts my untidiness
. little. Surely IL IL not crime 10 have
ones shoes unhuttonea or q collar loose.
The horrid pins never will stay"
They would stay u you put them in
properly. Louise" said Miss Harrison.
gently. "But you don't seem 20 think
neatness or order OF the slightest inn
portance..
al haven't been brought up TO give
them much thought, that's fac" said
Louis. Al home everything il at sixes
and seyens. Yes we all get along well
enough. As mother says: What 10 the
use Of worrying about little things
when We have minds 10 improve and
cultivatey"
Miss Harrison sighed.
"One need not neglect self Improve
mont while looking carefully after the
ways OF the household" she said. "But
] must not keep you up any longer, INV
dear; u 10 time You we're asleep. Go 10
bed now, and perhaps tomorrow NAV
be able TO convince you that il will he
we'll for you TO have little more regard
for Heaven's first Law when you become
Harry valiAnt's wife,
fear you will find me incorricible.
Aunt Margaret" said Louise, ss abe Jeff
the room. Sc What il bred In the bone
will come out in the flesh. you know"
A troubled look came upon Miss Har-
ris0n's face as the door closed upon the
graceful figure of her niece.
SO pretty, 10 accomplished. 90 tai
ented and 10 amiable," she murmured,
and yet fear her one fault will bring
her many heartache In the future.-
Miss Harrison accompanied her niece
10 Ms. valians's 10 make formal call.
and Louise, thanks 70 her auut's care.
was % beautifully and neatly drssssd
that Mrs. Valiant, sharp a. were her
eyes 10 detect q faw, had no fsult 70
ind, and vas completely Won ~ the