The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1885-05-22


from his newspaper, II shall have to leave
here very early tomorrow morning"
"To go to Scenersvile about Aunt Eliza
beths will ?"
Eyes"
"Oh, | wouldn't, Frank"
"Why not?"
dts such bitter cold weather to travel in,
and Aunt Elizabeth is such whimsical old
woman, it's as likely as not that she'll change
her mind about making will when you get
there"
Mr. Chckerly smiled.
THAT would be your system of doing
things, Fanny, but not mine."
"My system, Frank what do you mean p
al mean that you believe in putting things
off immediately. wish you'd break your
self of that habit, Fanny. Believe me- it will
some day bring you to grief"
81 don't believe in being lectured, Frank"
you need not, for am going to pack my
valse. By the way, theresa button of the
shirt | want to wear tomorrow. | wish
you would come up stairs and sew it on for
me-"
II will, presently"
"Why can't you come now?"
81 Just want to finish this book; there's
only one more chapter"
And Fanny opened her volume so resoute-
ly that her husband thought it best not to
contest the question.
Sitting all alone in front of the bright fire,
Mrs Chickerly gradually grew drowsy, and
before she knew it she had dropped off into
the shudowy regions of dreamland.
She was aroused by the clock striking
eleven.
Dear me, how late it is" she thought,
with little start. 81 must go up stairs I'M
mediately. There, forgot to tell the cook
about having breakfast at five tomorrow
morning, and of course she's abed and asleep
by this time
And laying this salve to her conscience,
Mrs. Chickerly turned off the gas and crept
drowsily up the stairs.
Fanny, Fanny, it's past five and the cook
hasn't come down stairs yet. Are you sure
you spoke to her last night?'
"Oh, Frank, forgot all about speaking to
her last night" she cried, with conscience
stricken face. But I'll run right up-she
can have the breakfast ready in few
minutes"
She sprang out of bed, thrust her feet into
a pair of slk-ined slippers, and threw q
shawl over her shoulders. Mr.. Chickerly bit
his lip and checked her:
mo need, Fanny" he said, little bitterly.
II must leave the house in fifteen minutes or
miss the only through train. IT'S of no use
speaking to the cook now"
81 can make cup of coffee myselfover the
furnace fire." she exclaimed, springing to her
feet But Mr.. Chickcrly again interposed
"Sit down, Fanny, please, | would rather
you would sew this button on the neck ofmy
shirt have packed the others-lhose that
are fit to wear. have shirts enough, but
not one in repair"
Fanny crimsoned as she remembered how
often in the course Of the last month or two
she had soemnly promised herself to devote
| a day to the much needed renovation of her
| husbands shirts.
The needle threaded, the thimble fitted
on, an appropriate button was next to be
| selected.
ooh, dear Frank, haven't one the right
size !"
"Sew on what you have, then, but be
quick ?"
| But Fanny was quite certain there was
"just the right button" somewhere in her
work. basket, and stopped to search for it.
| There, told you so !" she cried triumph
antly, holding it up on the point of her
needle.
"Well, well, sew it on quick" said Mr.
Chickerly, CHANGING at his watch nervously
THAT'S just your worrying way, Frank
as if anybody could sew button on well in
a hurry. There, my needle has come UNI
threaded !"
"Oh, Fanny, Fanny !" sighed her husband
| fairly out of patience al last, "why didn't you
| do it last night, as l begged of your | shall
miss the train, and what little chance we had
of place in Aunt Elizabeths will will be
sacrificed to your miserable habit of being al.
ways behind hand"
Fanny gave him the shirt and began to
WINNER little, but Mr.. Chickerly had mel.
ther the time nor the inclination TO pause to
soothc her petulant manifestations of grief
He finished his dressing, caught up his valist
with hurriedly spoken ''good.by" and ran
down stairs, two steps at at u time, into the
street.
Mrs Chickerly was sitting down to her lit
tie dinner, Ia solitaire, with dantiy
Drowned chicken, a tumbler of currant Jelly
and acurly bunch ofcelery ranged before her
when, to her surprise the door opened and il
walked her husband.
"Why, Frank, where on earth did yor
come from?" cried the astonshed wife.
From the Office" coolly answered Mr.
Chickerly.
"But l thought you were off for Sceners
vile in such hurryp
81 found myself just five minutes too lat,
for the train, after having an all the way Il
the depot"
"Oh, that was too bad p
Chickerly smiled little as lie began t,
carve the chicken.
"Ycs, was a little annoyed at first; it di,
seem rather provoking TO he kept al home b,
only button
"What are you going to do 7"
"Why shall make a second start to-mor
ROW."