The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-02-05

49, 80 ~32 =
but reallrI don't like the idea of your
wearing those things. And now If there
is anything else you want me to do for
you just name it, and IN do it."
He went away, but returned in q mo-
ment and called out:
"Oh, Louise, I'm going to a dinner
at the club tonight, and / want you TO
have my dress suit handy when I come
home. Goodby."
Now, then," said Louise as she
went up stairs, "I'll see If ] can't make
Mr.. Tom change his opinion about
bloomers. That promise of his was the
very thing / wanted"
The hour longed for by both came at
last. Tom entered the house and rushed
to his room to put on his dress suit.
"Oh, Toni" Louise called while he
was dressing. Come down here. I
want you to redeem your promise of
this morning and do me q favor"
"All right!' he called. ''I'll be down
in a minute, and I'll keep my promise. 3"
He foundihis wife sitting ON the floor
with a dress pattern in front of her and
dress goods scattered all around.
"Well, what's all this?'' he asked.
care you making a rag carpet? What
Is 1t you want me to do for you? If it's
to clean mp all this mess here, / shall
refuse, for / have some work to do next
week"
mo" she said. la~ughing,."I don't
want you to clean up the mess, and I'm
not making a rag carpet. I'm making
a bicycle dress, which I 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, eve
got to go ont to that dinner at 8 O'Clock,
and it's nov nearly z. / won't have
time. Let the dress go for tonight"
II can't let it go, for / must have it
tomorrow morning." she insisted.
you've promised to do what l asked,
and now when / want you to do a little
thing like this you refuse, and I think
it's real mean"
Mrs. Cranston stood up, holding a
pattern in one hand and an unfinished
dress in the other, and looked as though
she were about to burst into tears.
"Oh, come now, Louise" he urged
impatiently. Cant you see that your
request is trivial and unreasonable, and
/ must go to that dinner"
The tears that had seemingly been
held back with such an effort now be-
came visible and rolled down her cheeks.
II think it's mean," she sobbed.
"You promised to do anything I wanted
You to, and now 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 not
want to lose that dinner, and he didn't
want to break his promise.
How long will this fitting business
last?'' he questioned after several mo-
ments' silence, broken only by the sob
bing of his wife.
about half an hour, " she replied,
Frightening up a little.
"Well, then, hurry up" said MI.
Cranston, throwing off his coat and
standing erect. Bring the thing here.
And SO the gown was put on MI.
Cranston, and Louise dropped ON one
knee and began pinning the draperies
in a hurried manner
"You see, Tom," she said as she
tucked up tho first fold and surveyed it
with a critical eye, this is of the
greatest Importance to me, and ] know
you will help me out" IT,
"Um," was the only answer her hus-
band made. He was looking straight at
the clock and wondering how it was
that the minute hand was moving so
fast. He thought that the clock must be
cut OF order. He 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 it was now 7:45. Have
you any idea how O you will be
through" he asked, with a forced calm
ness.
mot the slightest, - she replied in a
voice that was either muffied with pins
or laughter, Tom couIdn't tell which,
for she was STOPPING and studying the
hem of the dress.
At that moment the door opened, and
Mr.. Kynaston, the husband of Mrs.
Cranston's bloomer wearing friend, |
threw open the door and stood gazing
in open mouthed establishment.
why, Tom" he said when he re-
covered himself, "I thought you were
going to call for me if You left down
town first? You know you told me SO
and said III | got ready first / was to
come 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 the dinner if Louise
ever gets through with this miserable
skirt, he added aloud.
"Oh, nonsense. Why don't she wear
boomers? Come on. We are late al
ready, said his friend.
Louise" whispered Cranston, .sif
you'll call my promise off, you may
have the boomers or anything else you
want" |
@M.s@ Il