Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1886-12-23

Z
before the eventful day, 1--WE want you
to try on your coat tonight"
To try on my coat" vaguely re-
peated the philosopher. what
coat2 What for?'
"Oh, Just to see il it's all right, /"
said Fanny, not without qualm of
terror lest her father should discover
the pious fraud and object to wearing
home made garments.
Absently, Mr.. Leslie rose up, di-
vested himself of his faded dressing
gown. and put on the new coat. AZ
ma and Fanny viewed him with criti-
cal eyes, and exchanged chances of
satisfaction.
Does it feel quite comfortable,
papa?" said Alma.
Very nice, my dear, very nice, I"
said the philosopher Really, l
didn't know that the old coat looked
so nice. Take it away, daughter, and
brush 1T thoroughly, and have it
ready Tor me tomorrow, with fresh
necktie and clean pocket handker-
CHIEF
And once more he plunged into the
depths OF the Eudic monography ques-
ton.
Fanny said Alma in low voice,
tits success
"Alma" said Fanny in the same
tone, II knew that it would bel"
Mr.. Leslie went to the dinner party
at Lyniield Grange, and astonished
several dozen other old gentlemen by
the dept of his lea-ning, and nobody
discovered that the homemade coat
was not the chef d'euvre OF New
York clothier.
But Fannie Leslie was not destined
to hear the last of the coat. Miss
Helena st. Joaquin, who had CHANGED
to surprise them in the task, whispered
1t lnysteriously TO her dearest friend,
Mrs. Emerson Fielding, and everyone
knew presently, that the Leslie girls
had turned tailoresses and taken in
work by the day.
ut was Fanny" said Miss st. JAG
quin. ! saw her myself, pressing out
the seams OF a coat with a prodigious
smoothing iron-a mans coat! They
tried to shuttle it out of sight as soon
as possible, but they weren't quick
enough FOR me-"
''Well, said Max Lynfeld, carelessly,
"wby shouldn't they sew on men's
coats as well as on worsted work."
Mrs. Emerson Fielding elevated her
pretty little nose.
'Pm afraid, "she said, 1--WE shall
| have to leave the Leslie girls off our
list for the charade parties next win.
ter"
Max Lynfield rose up in exceeding
great wrath.
Then You may leave me of, toop'
said he, and staiked out of the room.
He went straight to the old stone
house. Fanny was there in the gar.
den gathering chrysanthem
white-fringed beauties, and the buds
that were like balls of gold, and brick.
red blossoms full of strange aromat-
ic fragrance, like Eastern spices.
Fan" said he ''it you had wanted
money you ought to have come to
me, Haven't we been friends long
enough to induce you to put any con-
fidence in me?"
Fanny looked at him in serene sur
prise.
but, Max" said she. 1--WE don't
want money-no more than usual,
that is to say. Everybody wants
money, / suppose"
And she clipped off a stem of rich
maroon flowers, and laid it lovingly
among the rest of her floral trophies.
Honest Max, who had no idea oil
diplomacy, plunged into the subject.
.'Then," said he, whats all this
talk about your taking IN tailor
| work.
about my taking in tailor work."
YES. Miss st. Jacquis saw you
working at it."
did she?" Fanny's cheeks famed
scarlet. Miss st. Joaquin had better
be attending to her own business. But
since she has told you. half the story,
] may as well tell you tie other half
] am sure it's no secret" And she
told Max Lyntield the simple tale.
Fan, you're a trump said he
"And you really made the coat your
self"
Il really made that coat myself
with little help from Anal" proud
| iy spoke Fanny.
81 should like daughter like you
that is to say, when ] develcpe into
an old gentleman of scientific tastes,
said Max.
"Oh, you'll never develope into an
old gentleman OF scientific tastes, =
said Fanny. You're not half wise
enough"
At this Max's honest countenanct
/ fell.
II knew it." said he, sorrowfully
'You despise me. You think I'm q
| Ounce"
Fanny dropped her flowers in con
sternation.
"oh. Max" she cried, 81 don't de
spise you, like you"
THAT isn't the question, said Max
moodily. 'TThe question is, do YOU
love me?"
MAX"
"Fannyl No-stay here" posting
himself with lightning rapidity in the
doorway. "Unless you jump dowr
the terrace you can't get away iron
me. And am determined to have ar
answer"
He had the answer. And the an
swer was Yes
Mrs. Fielding, the pretty widow
was deeply annoyed; Miss st. Joaquin
raved.
But" you see," Mr.. Lynfield after
ward said, II never shonld have
known how much cared for Fan, if
hadn't heard those spiteful cats criti
cising her"
Mr.. Leslie wore the selfsame coat to
his daughters wedding But, to the
end OF his learned and scientific life, hi
never knew who made it. Savants