The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1899-04-28
THE UNEXPECTED
HAPPENS

~ LENVILLB road was situated
y in the most fashionable part of
~ London suburb and boosted of a
number of small and large houses, all
of different ages and architecture,
which came as a welcome relief after
the rows and rows of moderately con-
structed dwelling houses so frequently
seen.
At Chenille road, a squarely built
house of somewhat ancient appear
ance, lived an elderly widow, her two
sons, and her 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 beginning of her betrothal as at the
time our story opens.
But Miss Lancaster was seemingly
content with life, until the little cot
tage on the opposite side of the road
at last secured a tenant, a circum-
stance which Mr.. Edwin seemed to
take an extraordinary interest In, since
the tenant was a remarkably prepOs-
sessing little woman-a widow, rich in
and IL pretty face.
The wedding day seemed further Off
than ever after the little widow had
resided in Chenille road for the space
of six weeks, and one day, after peep
Ing through the blinds 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.
whats up, BELIEF" said he, anxious
ly. you 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, warmly;
"Teds ali 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 SOP" said Belle, drying
her eyes and looking up, brightly. "She
Is so much younger and prettier than |
Il 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 TOT"
But you are not engaged to Grace"
30, but l shall be If she'll have me;
and now cheer up, old girl-fretting
was never beautifier Of the complex
lon you know"
That evening Herbert made up his
mind to interfere, for the first time, In
other peoples business. Edwin was
going bit too far, and the affair must
be stopped. He unused for long time
on the best manner of doing 1t, 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
undertaking. Nearly every evening
was spent at the cottage, and the little
widow, delighted at her new conquest,
became so cold about her former one
that success for his scheme was prom
Used from the first. She was so pretty,
and had such winning manners, that
before long the younger brother began
to excuse the elder for his infatuation,
and to feel sorry for him and his unfor-
tunate engagement.
One afternoon. after escorting the
widow home from walk, Herbert
thought of Grace with a pang Of dut-
full reproach. and getting out his bicy-
Gle rode or whistling to call upon her.
When he arrived at the house he
found Grace chatty and cordial, but
with an entirely different manner about
her, which profoundly puzzled him. I'M
til he caught the sparkle of a ring upon
her finger
You win be pleased, know. to hear
that am engaged" she said. half shy
ly. "And am sure you will be able to
congratulate. since you intend to com
init matrimOny yourself"
Up gasped Herbert, In astonlsh-
ment
20, yes; don't pretend not to under
stand. have heard all about that fas-
cinating little widow that lives oppO-
site you, and am sure hope you will
be happy indeed"
She talked Il lot about her coming
marriage and her finace. 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 n walk.
] Congratulations" shouted Edwin,