The Washington critic., 1886-10-19
ONLY A BUTTON,

q
bright fire glowing behind FURNISHED
CRATE; a carpet whose soft, velvety pile
was shaded In blue and wood colors, 10
correspond with the damask. covered
furniture, and little gilded clock,
which had just struck at night-all
these things met Mrs. Chickerly's eye
as she laid down her book and yawned
as widely as her ripe cherry of a mouth
would admit.
She was a plump, fair faced young
matron Of some four or five and twenty,
with bright auburn hair, soft blue eyes,
and complexion whose roses stood in
need of no artificial rouge to hi shten
their charms, while her dress of soft,
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 day?"
mo, never thought of It,"
And they leave town tomorrow
morning; and Carter Is absurdly sensi-
tive to all sights, fancied or real.
Fanny, desired you to make point
of calling"
well, I did intend to-" pouted Mrs.
Chickerly, "but one can't think of
everything"
you cannot, 1t seems"
at appears to me you are making q
mountain out of mole HILL" said she,
rather tartly.
g 1t may affect my business very seri-
A,rclu ('nYtar'u hn, tno IL,
fluence with it,
Mrs. Chickerly was silent, patting
the velvet carpet with her foot in q
manner that indicated some annoyance
~ shall have to leave very early to-
morrow morning." said her husband,
presently.
"To go to scenersville, about Aunt
EliEabeth's will?'
eyes"
"Oh, l wouldn't, Frank"
"Why not p
"lt's such bitter cold weather to
travel in, and Aunt Elizabeth Is such a
whimsical old woman, it's as likely as
not that she'll change her mind about
making will when you get there. /
would wait little, if | were you"
Mr.. Chickerly smiled.
but NOuIi DC yOut SlClu
things, but not mine"
My system, Frank What do you
mean?"
81 mean that you believe in putting
things off indefinitely, and not always
in the wisest manner. | wish you would
break yourself of that habit. Believe
me, II will some day bring you to
grief"
Mrs. Chickerly contracted her eye.
brows.
II don't believe in being lectured,
Frank"
"And l 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"
mo, my love. l thought / was
marrying very pretty little girl, whose
faults might be easily corrected"
Faults Have l any great faults,
Frank p
Little faults may sometimes entail
great consequences.
"If you scold any more l shall go
out of the room"
you need not, for am going my
self to pack my valise. BY y.the-way,
there's button off the shirt want to
wear to morrow wish you would
come up stairs and sew 1t 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 reso'
lntely that her husband thought 1t
best not to contest the question.
"a. H., A..
bright fire, Mrs. Chickerly gradually
grew drowsy, and before she knew it
she had driftod off into the shadowy
region of dreamland.
She was reused by the clock strlk-
ing II.
Dear mel how late 1t Isl" she
thought, with little start. 81 must
go up stairs Immediately. There,
forgot to tell the cook about having
breakfast at tomorrow morning, and
of course she's abed and asleep by this
time. I'll be up early enough to see
to 1t myself; that will be just as
we'll"
Laying this salvc on her conscience,
Mrs. Chickerly turned Off the gas and
crept drowsily up the stairs.
Fanny, Fanny, it's past five and
cook hasn't come down stairs yet.
Are you sure you spoke to her last
nightY"
Mrs. Chiclerly rubbed her eyes and
looked slcepily around.
"Oh, Frank, forgot all about speak
ing TO her last night" she said, with
conscience. stricken face. "But I'll
run right up-she can have the break
fast ready in very few minutes"
She sprang out OF bed, thrust her
feet into pair Of silll.lined slippers
and threw shawl over her shoulders.
Mr.. Chickcrly bit his lip and checked
her.
mo need, Fanny" said he, little
bitterly; II must leave the house In
fifteen minutes, or miss the only
through train. It's of no use speaking
10 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 shiverng on
the edge of the bed, cogitatng how
hard II was for her husband to start on
a long journey that bitter morning
without any breakfast.
81 can make cup Of coffee myself