Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1895-08-16

you just name it, and I'll do it..
He went AWAY, but returned in n mo-
ment and called out:
ooh, Louise, I'm going to q dinner
at the club tonight, and l want you to
have my dress suit handy when / come
home. Goodby.
CHOW, them" said Louise rs she
went up stairs, ''I'll sec if | can't make
Mr.. Tom change his opinion about
boomers. That promise Of his was tho
very thing 1 wanted.
The hour longed for by both camo at
last. Tom entered the house and rushed
to his room to put ON his dress suit
"Oh, TOMB Louise called while he
was dressing. Come down here. 1
want YOU ~ redeem your promise Of
this morning and do me a favor.
"All rightl' he called. III be down
in q minute, and I'll keep my promise. "
He found his wife sitting on tho floor
with a dress pattern in front of her and
dress goods scattered all around.
"Well, what's all this?" no asked.
Are you making a rag carpet? What
is it you want me to do for you? If it's
to clean up all this mess here, l shall
refuse, for l have some work to do next
week"
mo" she said. laughing, "I don't
want you to clean up the mess, and I'm
not making n rag carpet. I'm making
a bicycle dress. which / must have early
tomorrow morning, and / want you to
let me drape the skirt on you so that it
will hang all right"
"But, Louise" he objected, 1--WE
got to go out to that dinner nt 8 O'Clock,
and it's now nearly T.. won't have
time. Lot tho dress go for tonight"
II can't lot it go, for 1 must havo it
tomorrow morning, she insisted.
"You'vo promised to do what 1 asked,
and now when 1 want you to do a little
thing like this you refuse, and l think
it's real mean.
Mrs. Cranston stood up, holding q
pattern in enc hand and an unfinished
dress in tho other, and looked as though
she were about to burst into tears.
COB, come now, Louise, " he urged
impatiently. Cant you see that your
request is trivial and unreasonable, and
l must go to that dinner?"
Tho tears that had seemingly been
held back with such an effort now be-
came visible and rolled down her checks.
Il think it's mean, " she sobbed.
"You promised to do anything 1 wanted
you to, and nov you won't keep your
word. I've cut up my other dress, and
the bicycle party is of just as much i'm
portance as your old dinner"
Mr.. Cranston looked grave. He did no;
want to lose that dinner, and no didn't
want to break his promise.
How long will this fitting business
last?'' he questioned after several mo.
mepts' silence, broken only by the sob
bling of his wife.
about half an hour, she replied,
Frightening up a little.
well, then, hurry up, said Mr..
Cranston. throwing off his coat and
standing erect. Bring the thing here. -
And so the gown was put on Mr..
Cranston, and Louise dropped on one
knee and began p%inning tho draperies
in q hurried manner
you see, Tom" she said as she
tucked up the first fold and surveyed it
with a critical eye, this is of tho
greatest Importance to me, and l know
you will help me out.
"Um, " was the only answer her hus-
band made. He was looking straight at
tho clock and wondering how it was
that the minute hand was moving SO
fast. He thought that the clock must be
out Of order. Ho pulled out his watch
and saw that the minute hand there
moved with the same railroad speed,
and it was 1880 o'clock.
Are you anywhere near through" he
asked impatiently.
She shook her head and turned her
attention to the dress. Tom fumed as
he noticed that twas now 7:45. "HavC
you any idea how soon you will be
through" he asked, with o forced calm,
ness.
mot the slightest, " sho replied in
voice that was either mufled with pins
or laughter, Tom couldn't tell which,
for she was stopping and studying tn,
hem Of the dress.
At that moment the door opened, and
Mr.. Kynaston, the husband of MIS-.
Cranston'S bloomcr wearing friend.
threw open the door and stood gazing
in open niouthed establishment.
"Why, Tom, " he said whom he 70.
covered himself, Il thought you were
going to call for me if you left down
town first? You know you told me Sc
and said If L got ready first | was tC
como here and walk right in. Are you
going to the dinner"
This will be all over the exchange
tomorrow. groaned Tom inwardly
eyes, I'm going TO tho dinner if Louise
ever gets through with this miserable
skirt, " he added aloud.
"Oh, nonsense. Why don't sho wear
boomers? Come on. We are late al
ready, said his friend.
Louise" whispered Cranston, "ii
you'll call my promise off, you may
have the boomers or anything else you
want"
"Oh, you dear good boyp' cried Lou
Use, with well feigned surprise. $50 to
your dinner. Now hurry, or youW be
late"
Then Tom, after kissing her goodby,