The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1901-12-31
THE UNEXPECTED
BY MARY A. SAWYER.


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. ut is SO
vexatious, when / tod 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
err. Then gathering up her work she
folded it away in her large work bas-
ket
"If I am to cook cartridges for sup
per, / must have a coal fire. So,"gianc-
ing at the clock, 81 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 variety; why shouldn't he have
it when he works hard to supply all
our need? He grudges me nothing
why should | be vexed over this little
extra cooking?"
Her annoyance was but temporary,
therefore, and when she heard her
husbands step in the hall she ran to
the foot of the stairs and called to him
cheerful.y:
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.
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 l say anything about par
tridges?"
"Not two hours ago. You called m,
up, and said you would bring home
cartridges for supper. And so came
down to have everything in readiness
They can't be cooked in a moment"
"You will not be troubled by them to
night. 1 said nothing about par
tridges."
"You certainly did"
"You are mistaken"
81 heard you distinctly. You said
81 said l intended to bring hom
Partridge, George Partridge. And
must say expected to find you up
stairs instead of pottering aroun'
down here"
"You must explain my mistake 4
him. He is a sensible man. He will un
, derstand why was not there to re
ceive him."
Mr.. Hamilton's face relaxed little
"Partridgesl Partridges can
think how you could confound tn
twol" he said.
II thought understood you, bu
never mind now. You must go back up
stairs at once. Send the children dow
in few moments, please. I'm afrai
they are not quite tidy"
"Tidyl" in voice which brought
swift color into his wife's cheeks
"tidyl Well" moving toward the door
''I'll send them down and you must ge
! off that calico dress"
"I'll change it before / see him. G.
up and stay with him, do! must al
ter the table and get up differen
i meal altogether"
1T seems as il man never coul
bring home his friends and find thing
; as they ought TO be-" muttered Nj
Hamilton, leaving the room in eyiden
iE-temper.
AT the close of the evening, after tn
departure of the guest, it became plai
: to Mrs. Hamilton that his displeasur
had not been materially lessened b
the appetizing supper she had pr,
pared, nor by the pains she had take
with her own personal appearance. Il
S stopped suddenly before her, afte
( pacing up and down the room.
"When / bring home man lii
Partridge, man of brains and educi
q ton, it is strange you can't appear {
S If you knew what ne was talking Dou
If you don't know anything about hi
. tory, for PHYS sake, need you say Sc
e I'd read until / did know some thing
IS were in your place!'
The tone, the words seemed brut