Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-10-11
ONLY A BUTTON.

bright fire glowing behind u FURNISHED
crate, carpet whose soft, velvety pile
was shaded in blue and wood colors TO
correspond with the damask-coyered
furniture, and little gilded clock.
which had just struck at night-all
these things met Mrs. Chickerly's eve
as she laid down her book and yawned
as widely as her ripe cherry of a mouth
would admit.
She was 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 heighten
their charms, while her dress of soft
crimson merino was cxquisitely 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.
land they leave town tomorrow
morning; and Carter is absurdly sensi-
tive to all Sights, fancied or real. Fan
ny, l desired you to make point of
calling"
We'll did intend to, pouted Mrs.
Chickerly, "but one can't think of
everything"
You cannot, it seems.
sit appears to me you are making a
mountain out of mole hill, said she,
rather tartly.
1T may affect my business very
seriously. Carriers house carries great
influence with ii"
Mrs Chickerly was silent, patting the
velvet carpet with her foot in a manner
that indicated annoyance
Il shall have to leave very early to-
morrow morning" sad her husband,
presently.
80 90 to ScenersvilIe about Aunt
Elizabeth's willP'-"Yes y
''Oh, | wouldn't, Frank. WHY
not?"
Its 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 will when you get there. |
would wait a little if | were you"
Mr.. Chickerly smiled.
That would be your system of doing
things, but not mine"
My system, Frank! What do you
mean?"
Iict3 biidJ YOU DGiICNC III DdLLlun
things off indefinitely, and not always
in the wiscst manner. / wish you
would break yourself of that habit Be-
leve me. it will some day bring YOU to
grief. "
Mrs Chickerly contracted her eye
brows.
4 dent believe in being leotured,
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, 1
hope?"
mo, my love- thought was mar
rying very pretty little girl, whose
few faults might easily be corrected.
Faults! Have l any great faults,
FrankP''
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 the way,
there's button off the shirt l want to
come upstairs and sew it on for me-.
81 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 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
dreamland.
She was reused by the clock striking
IL.
Dear me! how late it isr' she
thought, with little start. Il must 90
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 and cook
hasn't come downstairs yet. Are you
sure you spoke to her last night?"
Mrs. Chickerly rubbed her eyes and
looked sleepily around
"Oh, Frank, l forgot all about speak
ing to her last night" she said, with
conscience-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 a pair of silk-lined slippers, and
threw a shawl over her shoulders.
Mr.. Chickerly bit his lip and checked
her