Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1901-01-10
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THE UNEXPECTED GUEST
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$50

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The long train sweeping into Chicago
stopped like a tired monster in the de.
pot. Henrietta looked eagerly from the
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 if 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. A 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-"
"Yesm." returned the waiter briskly;
"he went TO meet Il lady. thought he
said his mother, but see | was mis-
taken. was TO have breakfast ut
$50"
He left the room. and Henrietta re-
moved her hat and jacket. How kind
1t was of Tom to have this coy little
breakfast all ready for her! He had
written that in this building one could
live on the American or European plan
or try a 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 i'm themselves. Tom was either
growing extravagant or his practice
was increasing at phenomenal rate.
She found vase. n treasure in it
self, and i'm it she arranged some flow
ers, roses and honeysuckles. brought
from home, placing them in the middle
of the table and the waiter, coming
at that moment glanced at them
provngly. He took from his tray son
plates. which he wiped with n flourish
and dish containing luscious hem
spheres Of nutmeg melon filled with
cracked ice.
THE steak will be broiled as soon as
he comes" said the knight of the white !
apron explanatorily, land I'll bring it |
and the chocolate up with the other
things" Tom even remembered that
she was fond OF chocolatel What
dear fellow he was!
Some one turned the knob of the |
door. and. exclaiming. There he ISL
Henrietta ran ipto the dim little hall |
and into the arms OF the newcomer,
whom she Rugged 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 10y silver hair |
ed lady. who was looking at her so |
coldly that the pink glow on the girls /
cheek deepcned to a rich carmne.
IL beg your pardon" she faltered. /
81 was expecting my brother" and the /
brown eyes filled with tears.
"rhere is some mistake" said the /
stranger. recovering from the amaze
ment caused by having been unex-
pectedly Rugged by pretty girl.
Henrietta recounted the history OF
the morning and told him her brothers
nanie II have nevermet your brother"
said he, but ! happen to know that n
Mr. Rrnnka neennies rooms .lmmedl- !