The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-01-26
THE UNEXPECTED
BY MoLLIE MATHER
lm 1a2a Western NeWspaper Union

first it had been understood that one
day they would marry.
when L grow up" Jimmy hae
boosted, "you will be my wife and
ride in my big automobile"
'And have a pretty house with cur
tains," Julie conceded; and with the
ending of her high school days the
making OF lace for the curtains began.
Jimmy worked steadily, saved sys'
tematically, and felt the Importance
of an engaged man.
The two mothers, neighborS of long
standing, discussed happily the pros
pective union.
So time passed peacefully until
Jimmy met HQnore.
1t was because her name was such
a formal one that the young woman's
friends preferred to cali her Nora.
She was a companionable little
person with captivating charms SO
hidden in occurrences that one meet
ing her would be unaware Of her at
tractiOn-an attraction which never
failed to grow upon acquaintance
and was apt to keep on growing. SO,
poor Jimmy found later, to his alarm.
He met Nora when she came to visit
his mother and when Juliet was away
on a long auto tour with her parents.
Oh, yes, Jimmy was in love; he adj
mitted the fact despairingly with
following glow of secret happiness.
And he was engaged to Juliet.
Julie was busy sewing-sewing
theirs some day. How many hours
they had spent looking over plans for
that home-that must suit exactly
Juliet's critical taste.
Now, Juliet was travelling, dream
ing, no doubt, of this home to be,
and of Jimmie's faithfulness. And
he was in love with another woman
woman older, and more sophisticat-
ed than Julie, so his mother told him,
when she saw how things were going.
II added clean five years to
Morals age to discourage him." she
remarked later to her husband. There
is not so much difference between his
and Nora's age after all. She is
merely playing with the boys affec-
tons. Why will she do it?'
Nora stopped playing" She
stopped very suddenly. Jimmy had
spoken his desperate love to her and
Nora had listened. Then, in a care
free way, she had laughed and said:
"Oh, forget it, Jimmy" 1t was not
like Morals usual occurrences. Your
mother has introduced me to Doctor
Spencer" Nora added. HE says he
will look after my entertainment dur
ing the rest of my stay-take me
driving and all that. Thanks for what
you have done, Jimmy"
After Jimmy had seen Nora driving
with the doctor he packed grip and
went hunting.
1t was the day that Mrs. Brown
had chosen to go into the city, stay
ing for evening theater with her hus-
band, that word came of Jimmy'S ac-
cident. He had fallen down a steep
his body.
Jimmy, alone with the Indian guide
In the shack in the wood, sent in his
loneliness, a night letter. The Indian
had brought to him the WanalUo doc
tor.
The telegraph operator asked over
the phone If he would read the night
letter. Nora got the message il, the
morning. Mechanically, she turned
again to the telephone and called
Juliet.
"Oh, DEAR" walled that young per-
son. What will we do about it? 1t
is so difficult for one to get to Wanna
loo. 1 hope he will soon be feeling
better. Do let me know at once if
! there is any later word
Il am coming over to see you,~
Nora answered bruSquely.
The candle on the box beside jim
my'S crude bed was burning low
when the Indian heard knock at the
rough door. When he opened it he
found man and woman there. The
man entered the cabin briskly and
looked at the patient with shrewd pro-
fessional eyes.
Doctor Spencerr' Jimmy cried.
at is mighty good of you to come
away out here. 1 suppose mother sent
you. You must have travelled all day."
Some one else brought me-" the
doctor smilingly replied, land we have
travelled all day."
The "sOme one" came out of the
shadow; it was Nora. Nora with
eyes warm with sympathy, wrinkles in
their dark depths as they rested on
Jimmy's unbelieving face.
'Such miles Of woods to scramble
through to find you," she said. Then
she bent to whisper in Jimmys ear:
"Only woman who loves, as L
love you. could have done It," she
said
Doctor Spencer was removing his
coat in the kitchen corner. The In
dian was busy making coffee.
"YOu-love-meY murmured Jim,
and you sent me away. You said the
Doctor"
ooh, the DOCTOR" answered Nora
unabashed, twas as good an excuse
as any to keep you from loving me-
But nOw-well, 1 am not afraid of
shocking you, Jimmy, when tell you
what Juliet told me this morning
when went over to urge her to come
here with me- There was q young
man whom she met while travelling
He has new bungalow, it seems
to marry him. Oh. Jimmy!''
"My right arm is in pretty bad
shape" remarked Jim irrelevantly