The Van Buren press., 1895-02-23
me to do for you, just name it, and I'll

uio W uo Aof you, Jusb ubluc w duu ! ~
do It,"
He went away, but returned In O mo-
ment and called out:
sOh, Louise, I'm going to dinner ut
the club tonight, and I want you to
have my dress suit handy when come
home. Good-by."
"Now, them" said Louise, as she
went upstairs, "I'll see If can't make
Mr.. Tom change his opinion about
boomers. That promise Of his was the
very thing wanted"
The hour longed for by both came at
Lust. Tom entered the house and
rushed to his room to put on his dress
suit.
"Oh, Toml'' Louise called, while he
was dressing, "come down here; want
you to redeem your promise Of this
morning, and do me favor"
"All right" he called; "I'll be down
in minute, and I'll keep my promise. !"
He found his wife sitting on the floor
with dress pattern in front Of her, and
dress goods scattered all around.
"Well, what's all this?" he asked.
Are YOU making a rag carpet? What
Is 1t you want me to do for you? fits
to clean up all this mess here l shall
refuse, for have some work to do next
week."
NO." she said, laughing, " don't
want you to clean up the mess and I'm
got making rag carpet. I'm max
ing 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, "l've got
to go out to that dinner at eight o'clock,
and it's now nearly seven. / won't
have time. Let the dress go for to-
night"
II can't let it go, for must have it to-
morrow morning." she insisted. you've
promised to do what I asked, and
now when l want you to do little
thing like this you refuse, and l 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 said, Inn
patiently. Cant you see that your
request is trivial and unreasonable, and
l must go to that dinner2"
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 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 impor-
tance 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 little.
"Well, then, hurry up" said Grams
ton, 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 pinning the draperies
In hurried manner.
"You see, Tom," she said, as she
tucked up the first fold and surveyed
1t with critical eye, "this is Of the
greatest Importance to me, and know
you will help me out"
"Um" was the only answer her hus-
band made. He was looking straight
at the clock and wondering how 1t
was that the minute hand was moving
so fast.
He thought that the clock must be
out Of order. He pulled out his watch
and saw the minute hand there moved
with the same railroad speed, and 1t
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 1t was now 7:45.
"Have you any idea how soon you
will be through" he asked, with a
forced calmness.
mot the slightest" she replied in a
voice that was either muffled by pins Or
laughter. Tom couldn'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 astonishment.
"Why, Toln," he said, when he recov-
cred himself, II thought you were
going to call for me IT you left down
town first? You know you told me SO,
and said If got ready first was to
come here and walk right In. Are you
going to the dinncr?"
"This will be all over the exchange
tomorrow" groaned Tom inwardly.
Eyes, I'm going to the dinner II 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, ''if
you'll call my promise off you may have
boomers or anything else you want" I"
"Oh, you dear, good boy" cried
Louise, with well-feigned surprise. 100
to your dinner Now hurry, or you'll
be late"
Then Tom, after kissing her good
by, rushed off to the club.
Louise put on her bonnet and went
to Mrs. Kynaston's house.
Katie" she cried, as her friend well
coined her at the door, "I'm to have