Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1892-08-24
THE UNEXPECTED.

Il don't care-Tm happy" said
Frank.
"pm sure l don't care, Pm happy,
perfectly happy-dou't see how I could
be more So" said y ellie.
Neither was looking at the other.
Each tried to absorbed in book; but
certainly neither was absorbed; for on
the average, during the entire after
noon, they had made remarks similar
to the foregoing at least once every ten
minutes.
''Did you say, Nellie" continued
Frank, Just tritie doubtfullv. 'fhat
there was enough in the house for sup
per and breakfast?"
I'm quite sure, dear, said Nellie,
that there is enough for supper, and
perhaps for breasfast. But We shall
not want much for breakfast. You
know that you have very often said
that you did rot care for much break
fast, and really can get along on
nothing at all.
I don't see what we have to worry
about, then, do you?"
Indeed / do not 1 think we have
every reason to be perfectly happy"
she answered.
Sure of supper to-day and break
fast tomorrow .hould say We have
every reason to be thankful, " continued
Frank.
.'Yes," added Nellie. "Just think of
the number of people in the world who
are sure OF neither supper to-day, nor
breakfast tomorrow. Take the case
of cannibal-"
Just what was thinking" broke
in Frank. "He is dependent on the
ao1 nF Srralvr
precarious existence"
"Oh, Frank, You are iokingw said
Nellie.
proof that l am perfectly happy, 8"
responded Frank.
while l am perfectly happy, said
Nellie, 81 do wish that the firm had
not failed, and that you had not lost
your position"
Yes, and while L am perfe tly hap
py, said Frank, "I do wish that our
parents had not objected 10 our mar
riJge."
''The idea that We, who are children,
both of US, of rich parents, should be
left to the disagreeable expedieut of
pawning the few wedding presents that
We received"
''Say rather the disagreeable expedi-
ent OF pawning the last wedding pres
ent that we received-now-now-
little wife, you are going to crv."
Indeed, l am not, said Nellie,
struggling bravely to suppress the
tears, 81 think We are very lucky to
have any wedding presents to pawn.
In fact. l think we are very lucky,
indeed"
''And so do l., added Frank. every,
very lucky-" just there he was
interrupted.
There is no better time than an in
terruption to explain the condition OF
affairs in a romance, so l will take adj
vantage OF the present one, which may
be the only interruption in my story.
Frank and Nellie Hayward had mar
ried against their parents wishes
Their parents though rich, refused to
help them in any way, or even to re-
celve them In their homes. Frank was
brave and manly, and Nellie was SEN
sible and womanly. They determined
to do for themselves, and ut the very
outset made a solemn compact with
each other that, come what might,
they would consider their love for
each ether compensation for all the
ills of life.
For a time things went very well.
Frank obtained position that enabled
them to live very comfortably IN
furnished fat. But, as In the lie OF
everyone else, the time came when
luck turned sgalpst them. The firm
that employed Frank failed, and he
WAS unable to get another position:
The little money that they had saved
up from his salary was soon exhausted.
They were forced to the disngreeable
eIpedient of pawniDg such things OF
value as they possessed, and finally
they had come to the end of even that
resource.
Never during all their trouble had
either acknowle ged to the other that
they were anything but happy. Ihe
crisis, however, had just about been
reached. They were in q quandary. 1t
was question whether they would be
forgiven by their parents under any
circumstances, and they were not at all
willing to acknowledge that they had
made mistake.
But there was an interruption lt
vas knock at the door. Nellie rose
from her scat, and Frank was about to
do so, when il occurred to him that
the chances were that it was q creditor,
and he thought it hardly worth while
TO go to the door. He was rather sur
prised, though. when at the invitation
Of his wife the door was opened by q
queer old man, who looked at each OF
them over the rims of his glasses for
full minute before be spoke.
Mr.. and Mrs. Hayward, l believer
ne said at length.
"Yes, sir, replied Nellie. viii You
take chair?'
Ought to have been named Way
ward, | suppose, he said. chuckling to
himself as he took the prohered
chair. 81 suppose my visit is rather
unexpected?"
Decidedly" said Frank curtly:
well, it is the unexpected that al
ways happens" said the old gentle
nan. 81 was rather surprised to hear
You through the door, accidentally, oi
course, assuring yourselves that you
we're very lucky and very happy and
all that sort of thing"
'May 1 inquire what business 1t is oi
yours, sir?" asked Frank.
None, except that it assured me
that L had found the right place" an
swered the old gentleman.
And what place were you looking
for?" asked Frank.
''The house OF a happy married
couple" said the old gentleman.
.You have found it." said Frank and
Nellie together,