The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-10-08
ONLY A BUTTON.

She was plump, fair-faced young
matron OF some four or five ani
twenty with bright auburn hair, sof,
blue eyes, and a complexion who's,
roses stood in need of no artiticia
rouge to heighten their charms, Will,
her dress OF soft crimson merino wa.
style. @f
Fanny" said Mr.. Ghickerly. look
ing up from his newspaper, "did yor
call on those Carriers to-days"
mo, never thought of it,"
"And they leave town tomorrow
morning; and Carter is absurd!y sen
sitive to all Sights, fancied or real
Fanny, desired you to make ~ point
of calling"
"Well, l did intend to- pouted Mrs
Chickerly, "but one can't think O.
everything"
"You cannot it seems"
at appears to me you are making a
mountain out of mole hill" said
she rather tartly."
at may effect my business very Sc
riously. Carter's house carries great
Influence with it."
Mrs. Chickerly was silent, pattine
the velvet carpet with her foot in q
manner that indicted annoyance.
~ shall have to leave very early to-
morrow morning." said her husband
presently.
"To go to Scenersville about Aunt
Elizabeth's will"
Yes"
ooh, wouldn't, Frank"
"Why not?"
cts such bitter cold weather to
travel in; and Aunt Elizabeth is such
whimsical old woman, it's as likely
as not she'll change her mind about
making a will when you get there.
would wait a little, if were you"
MIR. Chickerly smiled.
THAT would be your system OF do,
ing things, but not mime
"My system, Frank! What do you
mean?"
81 mean that you believe in putting
things off indefinitely, and not always
III the wisesJ manner. I wish you
break yourself of that habit. Believe
me, it will some day bring you to
grief"
Mrs. Chickerly contracted her eye.
brows.
81 don't believe in being lectured,
Frank"
"And don't very oftenlecture you,
my dear: pray give emecredit for that" f"
You didn't think you were marry
ing an angel when you took me, l
hope?'
"No, mylove. Thought I was mar
rying very pretty little girl, whose
few faults might be easily corrected"
"Faults! Have l any great faults,
Frank"
"Little faults may sometimes en-
tail great consequences
eff you scold any more / shall go
out Of the room."
"You need not, for am going my
self to pack my vaiise. By the way,
there's button off the shirt want
to wear tomorrow. l wish you
would come upstairs 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"
Fanny opened her volume so reso-
futely 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 drifted off into the shadowy
regions of dreamland.
She was reused by the clock striking
IL.
"Dear mel How late it isl" she
thought, with little start. II must
go upstairs Immediately. There. l
forgot to tell the cook about having
breakfast at o'clock tomorrow
morning, and, OF course, she's abed
and asleep by this time. Twill be up
early enough to see to it myself That
will do just as WE'LL
Laying this salve on her conscience,
Mrs. Chickerly turned off the gas and
crept drowsily up the stairs.
"Fanny, Fanny, it's past and
cook hasn't come downstairs yet.
Are you sure you spoke to her last
nlght?"
Mrs. Chickerly rubbed her eyes and
looked sleepily around.
"Oh, Frank, forgot all about
speaking to her last night she said,
with conscience stricken race. "But
I'll run right up; she can have break
fast ready in a very few minutes"
Shessprang out of bed, thrust her
feet into a pair OF ssilll-lined slippers,
and threw a shawl over her shoulders.
Mr.. Chickerly bit his lip and check
ed her.
"No need, Fanny" he said q little
bitterly. III must leave the house in
fifteen minutes or miss the only
through tram. It's OF mouse speaking
to cook now"
"I'm so sorry, Frank"
Mr.. Chickerly did not answer, he
was apparently absorbed in turning
over the various articles in his bureau
drawer, while Fannie sat shivering on
the edge OF the bed, cogitating how
hard it was for her husband to start
on long Journey that bitter morning
without any breakfast. :,
| can make cup Of coffe,,.1 myself
springing to herd Misa !.
But Mr. Chicksce, tduain interposed.
"Sit down, Fai1a- please. ! would
rather you would sew this button on
the neck of my shirt. | have packed
~ Il + n fit tn Npoo