Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-12-19
THE UNEXPECTED GUEST
900.

window, expecting to see her brother
among the waiting crowd. To her dis
may, he was nowhere to be seen. TAX
Ing her satchel and her packages, she.
mounted the stairs leading to the trees.
There, though the noise and din of the
great city almost deafened her, she
felt more lonely and forlorn than IL she
had been lost In the deep green woods
at home.
Collecting her scattered wits, she
took cab and ere long arrived at the
Paloma, the large apartment building
In which were located Toms bachelor
quarters. She asked In the office for
Mr.. Brooke's rooms and was put In the
charge of an elevator boy, who, stop
ping at the second story, mumbled,
First 'partment to yer left" and i'm
mediately shot skyward.
Wishing to surprise her brother, Hen
rietta opened the door without knock
ing. waiter was spreading a small
round table in the front room. She
blushed under his curious gaze; then,
in order to let him know that she had
a right to be there, she said with dig
nifty:
"My brother was expecting me. He
must have been at the depot, but the
crowd was so great he failed to find
me-"
"Yes'm," returned the waiter briskly;
"he went to meet lady. / thought he
said his mother, but I see l was mis-
taken. l was to have breakfast at
$50"
He left the room, and Henrietta re-
moved her hat and jacket. How kind
1t was of Tom to have this cozy little
breakfast all ready for her! He had
written that In this building one could
live on the American or European plan
or try mixture of both, but what had
he meant by stating that his rooms
were plainly furnished? His ideas had
changed wonderfully since he left
home. Here were expensive rugs, rich
hangings, luxurious furniture, two or
three handsome lamps and dozens of
odd curios which must be worth for
tune in themselves. Tom was either
growing eXtravagant or his practice
was increasing at phenomenal rate.
She found vase, a treasure In it
self, and in it she arranged some flow
ers, roses and honeysuckles. brought
from home, placing them In the middle
of the table, and the waiter, coming In
at that moment, glanced at them ap-
provingly. He took from his tray some
plates, which he wiped with a flourish,
and dish containing luscious hemi-
spheres of nutmeg melon filed with
cracked ice.
"The steak will be broiled as soon as
he comes," said the knight of the white
apron explanatorily, "and I'll bring it
and the chocolate up with the other
things" Tom even remembered that
she was fond of chocolate! What
dear fellow he was,
Some one turned the knob of the
door, and, exclaiming, 'There he Isl"
Henrietta ran into the dim little hall
and into the arms of the newcomer,
whom she hugged with all her might
"Oh, Tom, I'm so glad she began
and then gasped for breath, for this
handsome young man was not Tom.
He was accompanied by silver hair
coldly that the pink glow on the girls
cheek deepened to a rich carmine.
"I-I beg your pardon" she faltered.
81 was expecting my brother" and the
brown eyes filled with tears
"There Is some mistake" said the
stranger, recovering from the amaze
ment caused by having been unex-
pectedly hugged by n pretty girl.
Henrietta recounted the history of
the morning and told him her brothers
name. II have nevermet your brother"
said he, "but l happen to know that
Mr.. Brooke occupies rooms lmmedi-
ately above these on the next floor.
George, go up and tell Mr. Brooke that
his sister Is here. Allow me to intro
duce myself, Miss Brooke" he con-
tinued, smiling. MY name is Lovel,
and this Is my mother"
The old lady took the girls hand and
patted 1t affectlonately as she said,
Don't worry about it, dear; it's all
right now"
The waiter returned and said Mr..
Brooke had gone down town. "Then
he did not receive my letter." cried
Henrietta
"Never mind" said Mr.. Lovel hos
pitably; "you must give us the pleasure
of your company at breakfast. Then
will telephone your brother that you
are here"
1t was most enjoyable breakfast,
after all, and when Tom arrived, sur
prised and pleased, and had taken his
sister away, Mrs. Lovel said to her
son: "What beautiful girl! And so
naive and sweet that the scent of her
clover blossoms seems to cling to her
garments"
He agreed and added: 1--WE must not
forget our promise to call upon them.
Do-do you think it would be too soon
to go up there tomorrow eveningY-
st. Louis Star.
Very Much Alike.
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