The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-16
The Unexpected Happens.

the rows and rows OF moderately con-
structed dwelling-houseS so frequently
seen.
At Glenville road, squarely-oullt
house of somewhat ancient appearance,
lived an elderly widow. her two sons, and
1ler niece, the latter of whom had been
engaged to the elder son, Edwin. for the
last ten years, and who seemed as near
her wedding day at the end OF her De-
trothal as at the time our story opens.
But Miss Lancaster was seemingly con-
tent with life, until the little cottage on
the opposite side of the road at last Sc
cured a tenant, circumstance which Mr..
Bdwin seemed to take an extraordinary
interest in, since the tenant was re-
markedly progressing little woman
widow, rich in the possession Of a small
annual income and a pretty face.
The wedding day seemed further of
than ever after the little widow had re-
sided in Chenille road for the space of
six weeks, and one day, after peeping
through the glinds and seeing the tickle
couple going off together to some place
of amusement, Miss Lancaster gave way
to grief, and was found by her younger
cousin Herbert, Sobbing as if her heart
would break, on the sofa
What's up, BELIEF" said he, anxiously.
''ou haven't been yourself for some time.
What's troubling you?
And Miss Lancaster'S pride, which had
been dissolved in her tears, gave way
altogether, and she confided her woes to
her sympathetic listener and asked his
| advice as to whether she should give his
brother his freedom.
NONSENSE" said Herbert, ''Ted's all
right. It's the woman's fault: you know
men are susceptible to pretty women who
run after them. He's lots fonder of
you
DO you think so?" said Belle, drying
her eyes and looking up, brightly. she
is 50 much younger and prettier than 1
i was afraid
Don't you worry yourself about that, !"
returned her cousin, kindly. DO you
suppose Grace is jealous of every pretty
woman l speak top
but you are not engaged to Grace"
go, but 1 shall be if she'll have me;
and now cheer up, old girl-fretting was
never beautifier of the complexion, you
know"
That evening Herbert made up his mind
to interfere, fer The first time, in other
peoples business. Edwin was going a
bit too far, and the affair must be stop
ped. He unused for a long time on the best
manner of doing it, and at last decided
that the wisest thing to do was to make
love TO the widow himself. even at the
risk of offending the young lady he had
set his affections upon.
And he did, too and found making love
to the widow an easy and pleasant under
taking. Nearly every evening was spent
at the cottage, and the little widow, de-
lighted at her new conquest, became so
cold about her former one that success
for his scheme was promised from the
first. She was so pretty, and had such
winning manners. that before long the
younger brother began to excuse the ell
der for his infatuation, and to feel sorry
for him and his unfortunate engagement.
One afternoon, after escorting the wild
ow home from a walk, Herbert thought
of Grace with a pang of dutiful reproach,
and getting out his bicycle rode off wnis-
tling to call upon her.
When ne arrived at the house he found
Grace chatty and cordial, but with an
entirely different manner about her.
which profoundly puzzled him, until he
caught the sparkle of "a ring upon her
finger.
lou will be pleased, know, to hear
that lam engaged" she said, half shyly.
And 1 am sure you will be able to con-
graduate. since you intend to commit
matrimOny yourself"
'1?" gasped Herbert, in establishment.
20, yes; don't pretend not to under
stand. 1 have heard all about that fasci-
mating little widow that lives opposite
you, and 1 am sure 1 hope you viii be
happy indeed"
She talked a hot about her coming mar
riage and her fance, and Herbert sat
and listened in a dazed kind of manner.
until the appearance of the newly elected
bridegroom woke him up to the fact that
his presence was not exactly required. On
his way home he met his brother and
cousin starting out for a walk.
Congratulations shouted Edwin, like
a lunatic, pulling him off his bicycle. 20,
you artful man." said Belle, turning up
her eyes. mo wonder you were so ready
to" but she stopped suddenly and look
ed up at Edwin in confusion.
What is the meaning of this?" said
the cyclIst, angrily.
why, we have Just heard OF Grace's
enga cement, and that YOU are bent on
following suit We met Mrs. Law"
You don't mean 10 say" gasped Her
bert you said anything to her about
I'VE did, indeed" said Belle, "and she
looked so pleased"
And Herbert inwardiy groaned, and
without further remark rode off home
for all he was worth. But when he reach
ed Chenille road he was so abSent-minded
that he wheeled his bicycle straight up
TO the cottage, and before he knew what
he was doing found himself in the back
garden Of the widows snug little home
Strangely enough, there was Mrs. Law
renee sitting upon the garden seat and
looking 50 youthful and charming that he
felt quite confused at his audacity and
nervously accepted her invitation to sit
down.
Il came he began, ito make a clean
breast Of everything 70 you. haven't
treated you fairly. Mrs. Lawrence. L
Dear deari'' said the little widow.
brightly. What's all this about: you
haven't anything 10 reproach yourself
about. Don't you suppose 1 know per-
fectly well why you have made yourself
SO amiable % me all alOng?'
How you must despise me-" groaned
Herbert
Not at an smiled Mrs. Lawrence. 'I
admired you for ii. You did II for that
other woman's sake and a disinteresfed
motive is always a commendable one
DO YOU know what people are saying
OF us?' said Herbert, regretfully.
No, what?" asked the widow in limo
cent wonder.
That We are engaged TO be married"
How absurd" said the widow. family.
1T Is 50 absurd?" demanded the young
man. rs Il. Blanche?"
Ridiculous" said the little widow. as
her head fell gently upon his shoulder
Exchange.