Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1901-12-20
THE UNEXPECTED
BY MARY A. SAWYER.

Dear mel"
Mrs. Hamilton rose swiftly from
her seat at the sewing-machine and
hurried into the hall to answer the
telephone bell. A few moments later
she came back and resumed her work.
Dear mel" she said, again. 1T is so
vexatious, when 1 told him this morn
ing that we had plenty Of cold meat.
Partridges are dear now, too, for they
are out of season. And did want to
get this dress Of Gracie's done before
dark"
She stitched for few moments long
er. Then gathering up her work she
folded it away in her large work bas-
ket.
eff am to cook cartridges for sup
per, must have coal fire. So,"glanc-
ing at the clock, II must get it under
way at once. William is always pune
tual when he is bringing home any
thing he especially likes for his sup
per-"
She reproached herself for this re-
mark almost instantly. "Of course he
likes a variety; why shouldn't he have
it when he works hard to supply all
our need? He grudges me nothing
why should I be vexed over this little
extra cooking?'
Her annoyance was but temporary,
therefore, and when she heard her
. hus bands step in the hall she ran to
the foot of the stairs and called to him
cheerfully:
Bring your partriuges down here,
William. I'm all ready for them, and
the fire is burning splendidly."
Receiving no reply she went back into
the kitchen. He had not heard her, but
he would be down directly, she said to
herself. She went into the dining-room
and turned the gas higher. He might
come through it, and it would not do
for him to stumble against the table.
A few moments later her husband
Joined her. His voice was cold.
why are you down here?" he said,
In displeased tone.
II wanted to be all ready for your
cartridges. Where are they?"
my cartridges? What do you mean ?
When did I say anything about par
-tridges?"
mot two hours ago. You called me
up, and said you would bring home
partridges for supper. And so came
down to have everything in readiness.
They can't be cooked in moment
"You will not be troubled by them to-
ri
tridges."
"You, certainly did"
"You are mistaken"
81 heard you distinctly. You said-''
II said | intended to bring home
Partridge, George Partridge. And 1
must say l expected to find you up
stairs instead of pottering around
down here"
"You must explain my mistake to
him. He is sensible man. He will un-
derstand why L was not there to re-
ceive him.
Mr.. Hamilton's face relaxed little
"Partridges! Partridgesl can,
think how you could confound the
two!" he said.
II thought I understood you, but
never mind now. You must go back up.
stairs at once. Send the children down
in few moments. please. I'm afraid
they are not quite tidy"
"Tidy!" in voice which brought q
swift color into his wife's cheeks
"tidy! WE'LL" moving toward the door
'1ll send them down and you must gel
of that calico dress"
I'm change it before l see him. Gt
up and stay with him, dol, must al
ter the table and get up = differen,
meal altogether"
1T seems IS il : maj never coult
bring home his friends and find thin9i
~ they ought to be-" muttered Mr.
Hamilton, leaving the room In evident
iN-temper: .: =
At the close of the evening. a fter tn,
departure of the guest, it became plai1
to Mrs. Hamilton that his displeasur,
had not been materially lessened b,
the appetizing supper she had pre-
pared, nor by the pains she had take1
with her own personal appearance. II,
stopped suddenly before her, after
pacing up and down the room.
'When l bring home man lik
Partridge, a man of brains and educa
ton, it is strange you can't appear a
If you knew VIVA he was talking about
If you don't know anything about his
tory, for PHYS sake, need you say so
I'd read until did know mething i
I were In your place!' III:
The tone, the words seemed bruta