Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1886-12-26
ONLY A BUTTON.

whose roses 5000 Ii IlcCU OF no cTlilclol TOuoc
to heightcn their charms while her dress o,
soft crimson nerino was ex9uisitely adapted
to her seni-blonde style.
@Fanny," said Mr. Chickerly, looking UP
from his newspaper, "did you call on those
Carriers to-day!"
'No; never thought of it"
"And they leave town tomorrow morning,
and Carter is absurdedly sensitive to all
Sights, fancied or real Fanny, desired you
to make point of calling"
"Well, 1 did intend 10" pouted Mrs. Chick
erly, "but one can't think Of everything"
"You cannot, it seems"
at appears to me you are making a noun
tam of mole hill, said she, rather tartly.
1T may affect my business rather seriously.
Carriers house carries great influence with it. "
Mrs. Chickerly was silent, patting the vel
vet carpet with her foot in a manner that in
Dictated annoyance.
II shall have to leave very early tomorrow
morning." said her husband presently.
"To get to Scenersville, about Aunt Eliza
betb's will?"
Yes"
ooh, 1 wouldn't, Frank"
"Why not:'
"Its such bitter cold weather to travel in,
woman, it's as likely as not that she'll change
ner mind about making will when you get
there. 1 would wait a little if l were you"
| Mr.. Chickerly smiled.
THAT would be Your system of doing
things, but not mine"
'My system, Frank! What do you mean?"
~ mean that you believe in putting things
off indefinitely, and not always in the wisest
| l., ,f
that habit. Believe me, it will some day
bring you to grief"
Mrs Chickerly contracted her eyebrows
81 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 marrying an
angel when you took me, hope2"
"No, my love. l thought l was marrying
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 go out of the
room"
You need not, for l am going myself to
pack my valise. By the way, there's button
off the shirt 1 want to wear tomorrow I
wish you would come up stairs and sew it on
for me-"
Il will presently"
"Why can't you come nowf'
II just want to finish this book; there's
only one more chapter"
Fanny opened her volume SO resolutely 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 H.
Dear mel how late it isl" she thought,
with little start. Il must 60 up stairs i'm
mediately. There, l forgot to tell the cook
about having breakfast at tomorrow morn
ing, and, Of course she's abod and asleep by
this time. I'll be up early enough to see to it
myself; that will be just as we'll"
Laying this salve on her conscience, Mrs
Chickerly turned OFF the gas and crept drow-
silly up the stairs
Fanny, Fanny, its past and cook hasn't
come down stairs yet. Are you sure you
spoke to her last nights"
Mrs. Chickerly rubbed her eyes and looked
sleepily around
ooh, Frank, forgot all about speaking to
her last night" she said, with conscious
stricken face. But I'll run right up; she can
have breakfast ready in a very few minutes"
She sprang out of bed, thrust her feet into
q pair Of silk-lined slippers and threw a shawl
over her shoulders
Mr.. Chickerly bit his lips and checked her.
No need, Fanny" he said little bitterly.
II must leave the house in fifteen minutes or
miss the only through train. tits of no use
speaking to cook now.n
~ am sorry, Frank"
Mr.. Chickerly did not answer; he was ap-
parently absorbed in turning over the vari-
Gus articles in his bureau drawer, while Fan
ny sat shivering on the edge of the bed, cogi-
tating how hard it was for her husband to
start on long journey that bitter morning
without any breakfast.
Il can make a cup of coffee myself over the
furnace fire" she exclaimed, springing to her
feet
But MIR. Chickerly again interposed
''Slt down, Fanny, please. l would rather
you would sew this button on the neck of nv
shirt. have packed the others-those that
are fit to wear have shirts enough, but
not one in repair
Fanny crinsoned as she remembered how
often in the course Of the last month or two
she had solemnly promised herself to devote
q day to the much-needed renovation of her
husbands shirts. She looked around for her
thimble.
II left it down stairs last night III get it
in n minute"
The housemaid had just kindled fire in
the sitting room CRATE; it was blazing and
cracking cheerily among the fresh Goals, and
Fanny could not resist the temptation of paus-
ing moment to warm her chilled fingers. and
watch the greenish purple spires Of flame
fhoot merrily up the chimney until she heard
her husbands voice calling her inlperatively:
Fanny. Fanny what are you doingr'
"Oh, dear" thought the wife, as She ran
up stairs. Il wish Frank wouldn't be so cross.
He's always in hurry"
Little Mrs. Chicserly never stopped to
think that the real reason was that she, his
wife, was never In hurry"
The needle threaded, the thimble fitted on.
an appropriate button was next to be So
lected.
oh, dear Frank, haven't one the right
Sew on what you have, then; but be
quick.a
But Fanny was quite certain there was Just
the right button somewhere in her work has
ket, and stopped TO search for it.
There, | told you So" she criei, triumph
antly, holding it up on the end Of her needle.
We'll. well, sew it on, quick said Mr..
Chiclerly, CHANGING at his watch, nervously.
That's just your worrying way, Frank;
as If anybody could sew button on well
in q hurry. There! my needle has come I'M
threaded"
~Oh. Fanny. Fsnuvi- sighed her husband
fairly out OF patiencs ct last, why didn't you