The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-02-17
CRIMPS vs.. CALICO.

CRIMPS vs.. CALICO.
IT was the last week in May, one Of
those balmy, beamy days when the sky
smiles down rs blue as Il bed of blossom
inr gcntian, and the air is rite with those
faint, underlined scents that make one
think of all natures sweet and gentle
influences.
Paul Graham looked wistfully heaven
ward from the windows.
It's the very weather for the country"
said MI Graham to himself. :" think
Pm little inclined to be bilious. be-
lieve need a change. A day or two in
the country treshcns one up wonderfully,
I've heard say
How marvclously easy it is to do as one
pleascs!
And all the while Mr.. Graham made
himself believe that he did really need a
changc-that he needed the country.
They've often invited me there said
Mr.. Paul, looking out his neatest-titting
shirts and critically selecting his hand
soonest ncckties, "and don't see why
never have been there before"
so Mr.. Paul Graham took the train to
ret change of air, and also to see Miss
Rosamond Hillgrove.
Wouldn't you like to maryland settle
down, Rosamond? said her friend, Miss
Albertis, with a sigh.
Rosamond colored violently.
"What nonsense you talk, Adelinem
she rctorted. Its so probable, isn't
it?"
Nothing is impossible" said Adeline
Albcrtis, thinking of Mr.. Paul Graham's
beautiful white teeth, and his facility in
waltzing.
The next morning dawncd fair and ra-
dant, and Rosamond IIillgrovc sang like
any linnet as she tripped along the path
way that made short cut between her
house and that of Adelinc Albertis.
Miss Albertis was practicing II sonata
on the piano in fascinating toilet of pale
green delaine and beryl-tintcd ribbons.
She turned around in great astonish-
ment as Rosamond crossed the threshold.
Dear mel" cried she, "what is the
matter? A calico dress, and your hair
not in crimpsn'
"House cleaning" said Miss Rosa
mOnd, succinctly.
You don't mean to say that you have
anything to do with it?" cried Adeline,
contemptuously.
Don't |, thoughr' retorted Rosamond.
You'd better come and look if you don't
believe it, What Pm after to-day is to
borrow paint brush"
A paint brush What tor?"
"To do papa's room with. He'll be
home tomorrow night, and | am deter
mined the room shall be completed ready
for him. The painter has not come, and
see no signs of him. Consequently, |
mean to paint the room myself"
! ROsamondn'
"Welly"
"Are you crazy?
" Not in the least"
You know nothing of painting" cried
Adeline, breathlessly.
Now, look here, Addy, don't be a
goose" said Rosamond, calmly.
took lessons in landscape painting two
quarters, and if | can't make two doors
and a scrap of wainscoting look decent
why, then, my education is a failure"
YOU'RE the oldest girl ever heard Of
Rosamord," said Miss Albertis; 6 ant
you do look so funny without YOU
crimps.'
Every likely, said Miss Rosamond
walking off "But I've no time to waste
The step ladders are ready, and the pain
all mixed, like white, foamy cream, and
here go for the paint brush out of you
mothers lumber-room.
Rosamond IIillgrove vanished like
calico dream, and Miss Albertis went bacl
to her sonata.
Half an hour afterward there came ;
ring to the front door bell, and MIR. Gra
ham was announced.
Adelne turned rosy pink with salts
faction and surprise.
ooh, Mr.. Grahamr' holding out botl
her plump white hands; II am so glad t
see you!"
But Paul, wretch that he was, did no
return the salutation in kind.
I'll beg your pardon" stammere'
he. al supposed Miss Hillgrove live'
her. was told so IL short distance back.
L.
'sNo," said she, speaking with littl
constraint; ait is the next house. 1o'
can just see the white chimneys peepini
out above the trees. But won't you stol
and rest ?" as Paul resolutely took up hi
valise again.
"Thanks, not just at present. have
note from Mrs. Percalo to Miss Hillgrove
; and must deliver it at once.'
but you will call-you will com
again."
"Most assuredly, shall do myself tina
pleasure" said Paul, politely.
But Addy knew the difference in tn
ring of the real metal and mere hollo"
conventional courtesy.
And she sat down and cried, in rage
when Paul Graham had taken his dt
parture.
"But there's one consolation" she sal
to herself, suddenly Frightening uI
Rosamond is cleaning house in calics
and no crimps, and her head tied up in
speckled pocket-handkerchief, and II
, isn't pretty thoroughly disenchanted tn
, moment he sets eyes upon her then l al
: no prophecies. Men always do despl'
. house cleaning and all its paraphernali
He'll be sure to come back"