The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-12-30
THE UNEXPECTED
By Mary A. Sawyer.
Dear mel"

Dear mel"
Mrs. Hamilton rose swiftly from her
seat at the sewing machine and hur-
ried into the hall to answer the tele-
phone bell. A few moments later she
came back and Presumed her work.
Dear mel" she said again. 1T is so
veXatious, when l 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
En- Then gathering UP her work She
folded it away in her large work bas-
ket.
IF am to cook partridges for sup
per, | must have u coal fire. SO,
CHANGING at the clock, 4 must get it
under way at once. William is always
punctual when he is bringing home
anything he especially likes for his
supper"
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 | be VeXed over this little
extra cooliing?"
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
cheerfully:
Bring your partridges down here,
William. Tn 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 din
iroTr J,n n i,yloG
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 a displeased tone.
Il wanted to be all ready for your
cartridges. Where are they"
My cartridges? What do YOU mean?
When did l say anything about part
ridgcS?"
Not two hours ago. You called me
up, and said you would bring home
partrdges 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
tonight. l said nothing about part
ridges"
You certainly did
you are mistaken"
Il heard you distinctly. You said
II said l intended to bring home
Partridge, George Partridge. And
must say l expected to find you up
stairs instead Of pottering around
down here
You must explain my mistake TO
him. He is a sensible man. He will
understand why l was not there to re-
ceive him."
Mr.. Hamiltons face relaxed a little
i..r, a IL,
think how you could confound the
two he said.
II thought / understood you, but
never mind now. You must go back up
stairs at once. Send the children down
in a few moments, please. I'm afraid
they are not quite tidy"
Tidy" in a voice which brought q
swift color to his wife's checks
tidy. Well" moving toward the door
.'1'll send them down and you must get
off that calico dress"
"I'll change 1t before | see him. &C
up and stay With him. do. l must al
ter the table and get up a different
meal altogether"
1T seems as if a man never could
bring home his friends and find things
as they ought to be- muttered Mr..
Hamilton. leaving the room in evident
ill-temper.
departure of the guest, it became plain
to Mrs. Hamilton that his displeasure
had not been materially lessened by
the appetizins supper she had pre-
pared nor by the pains she had taken
with her own personal appearance. He
stopped suddenly before her, after
pacing up and down the room.
"When | bring home a man like
Partridge, man of brains and educa-
n
If you knew what ne was talking about.
If you don't know anything about his
tory for PHYS sake, need you say 50?
I'd read until I did know something if
i were IN your place."
The tone, the words seemed brutal
TO Mrs. Hamilton. She controlled her
self by a great effort
he a thoroughly well-read woman. But
with the house and the children and
1.-THE sewing and the cooking, L really
cannot get the time
Fudge. Nonsense, Where there
lis a viii, there is a way"
Not always
Mr.. Hamilton resumed his restless
pacing of the room I'd find time TO
know something about my own coun-
try, / guess" he declared.
Mrs Hamilton left the room quietly.
There was still an hours work TO be
done downstairs, she said.
Fudge. Nonsense retorted her
husband.
A few evening later Mr. Hamilton
came home to his supper at the usual
hour. He opened the door with his
latchkey and found himself in an I'M
lighted hall.
"Clara." he called.
yes. What is it?"
THE gas isn't lighted and the hall is
hs dark as Il pocket
No response came from the sewing
room at the end of the hall. from which
IA faint stream of light issued Stun
bling toward it Mr.. Hamilton uttered
an exclamation of surprise as he
pushed the door open. In the one large
easy chair sat his wife. Upon the table
beside her was a shaded lamp. In her
hand was a large book, and upon its
pages her eyes were fixed. She did not
look up when he entered the room and
walked up to the table.
After moments stealthy scrutiny
of her face he turned away He went
back into the hall and struck match
noisily, and lighted khe gas. Then. feel
ing his way, he wsRt downstairs. In
stead of the bright, cheerful dining
room, with the table attractively
spread for the evening meal he found