Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1886-12-04
ONLY A BUTTON.

WlnQOW 1ull OF poisoning PlanGS,
bright fire glowing behind a burnishe'
CRATE, q carpet whose soft velvety pill
was shaded in blue and wood colorS, t.
correspond with the damask-covereC
furniture, and q little gilded clock
which had just struck at night-al
these things met Mrs. Chickerly's ey,
as she laid down her book and yawnet
as widely as her ripe cherry of 3 mouth
would admit
She was a plump, fair-faced youns
matron of some four or five and twenty
with bright auburn hair, soft blue eyes
and complexion whose roses stood il
need of no artificial rouge to heighter
their charms, while her dress of sof
crimson merino was exquisitely adapted
to her semi-blonde STYLE
Fanny said Mr.. Chickerly, look
ing up from his newspaper, ''did yoU
call on those Carriers to-dayP"
mo, never thought of it. !"
"And they leave town tomorrow
morning; and Carter is absurdly sensi
tive to all sights, fancied or real. Fan.
ny, desired you to make point oi
calling"
''Ws1l, l did intend to-" pouted Mrs
Chickerly, "but one can't think oi
everything"
"You cannot, it seems"
'lt appears to ME you are making q
mountain out of mole hill,' said she,
rather tartly.
1T may affect my business very
seriously. Carter's house carries great
influence with it."
Mrs Chickerly was silent, patting the
velvet carpet with her foot in manner
that indicated annoyance.
81 shall have to leave very early to-
morrow morning." SAID her husband,
presently.
10 90 to Scenersville about Aunt
Elizabeth's wilIP" "Yes."
"Oh, wouldn't, Frank. ."-'Why
notP''
Its such bitter cold weather to
travel in; and Aunt Elizabeth is such a
whimsical old woman, it's as likely as
not she'll change her mind about
making will when you get there l
would wait little, if | were you"
Mr.. Chickerly smiled.
THAT would be your system of doing
things, but not mine"
MY system, Frank! What do you
meanP'f
q nsan that you believe in puttina
thifsgs ptt % detidltefy and not always
in the wisest manner. wish you
would break yourself of that habit. Be-
lieve me, it will some day bring you to
grief !"
Mrs. Chickerly contracted her eye
brows.
i don't believe in being lectured,
Frank"
.'And | don't very often lecture you,
my dear; pray give me credit for that. "
You didn't think you were marry
ing an angel when you took me, ]
hope?n
No, my love. l thought / was mar
rying a very pretty little girl, whose
few faults might easily be corrected"
Faults! Have ! any great faults,
Frank"
Little faults may sometimes entail
great consequences.
If you scold any more shall 60 out
of the room."
''You need not, for / am going my
self to pack my yalise. BY the way,
there's button off the shirt / want to
wear tomorrow. / wish you would
come upstairs and sew it on for me-"
Il will, presently"
"Why can't you come now?"
Il just want to finish this book;
there's only one more chapter" !"
Fanny opened her volume SO resolute-
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
drifted off into the shadowy regions of
She was reused by the clock striking
IL.
Dear me! how late it isr' she
thought. with little start Il must go
upstairs Immediately. There, forgot
to tell the cook about having breakfast
at 5 o'clock tomorrow morning, and,
of course, she's abed and asleep by this
time. | will be up early enough to see
to it myself; that will do just as well"
Laying this salve on her conscience.
Mrs. Chickerly turned off the gas and
crept drowsily up the stairs.
Fanny, Fanny, it's past 5 and cook
hasn't come downstairs yet. Are you
sure you spoke to her last nightP"
Mrs Chickerly rubbed her eyes and
looked sleepily around.
"Oh, Frank, | forgot all about speak
ng to her last night" she said, with
,onscience-stricken face. '.But I'll run
light up; she can have breakfast ready
n q very few minutes"
She sprang out of bed, thrust her feet
nto pair of silk-lined slippers, and
hrew a shawl over her shoulders.
Mr.. Chickerly bit his lip and checked
aer.
mo need, Fanny" he said, little
bitterly. 81 must leave the house in
fifteen minutes or miss the only through
rain. It's of no use speaking to cook
low."
'1'm SO sorry. Frank"
MIR. Chickerly did not answer; he
vas apparently absorbed in turning
ver the various articles in his bureau
lrawer, while Fanny sat shivering on
be edge of the bed, cogitating how
lard it was for her husband to start on
long journey that bitter morning
7ithout any breakfast.