Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1896-08-13

change your mind about them please
tell me, for I'm really very anxious to
wear them"
The smile which for twenty-four
hours had been absent from Tom Gran
ston's face came again, and he kissed
his wife.
That's a dear good girl, Louise" he
said. II hated to refuse your request,
but really l don't like the idea of your
there is anything else you want me to
do for you just name it. and I'll do it,"
He went away, but returned in a mo-
ment and called out
"Oh, Louise, I'm going to a dinner at
the club tonight. and I want you to
have my dress suit handy when l come
home. Good-by."
Now, then" said Louise. as she went
upstairs, ''Ill see if l can't make Mr..
Tom change his opinion about bloom
ers. That promise of his was the very
thing l wanted"
The hour longed for by both came at
last. Tom entered the house and rushed
to his oom to put on his dress suit
"Oh, Tom" Louise called while he
was dressing, "come down here; l want
you to redeem your promise Of this
morning and do me a favor"
"All right" he called; 'Tl be down
in a minute and I'll keep my promise"
He found his 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.
Are you making a rag carpet? What
is it you wan me to do for you? If it's
to clean up all this mess here l shall re-
week.
No." she said. laughing. II don't
want you to clean up the mess and I'm
not making a rag carpet. I'm making
a bicycle dress, which l must have early
tomorrow morning, and l 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 at s o'clock,
and it's now nearly Z. l won't have time.
Il can't let it go, for ! must have it
tomorrow morning. she insisted.
you've promised to do what l asked,
and now when l want you to do q little
thing like this you refuse, and l think
it's real mean"
Mrs. Cranston stood up holding a pat
tern 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, i'm
patiently. Cant you see that your re-
quest Is trivial and unreasonable and
l must 60 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 l wanted you
to. and now you won't keep your word.
I've cut up my other dress and the BIZ
cycle party is of just as much import
ace 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
bling of his wife.
about half an hour" she replied,
Frightening up a 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 a hurried name
You see. Tom" she said, as she tuck
ed up the first fold and surveyed it
with a critical eye. this is of the great.
est 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 the clock and wondering how it 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 h a the minute hand there moved
with the same railroad speed, and it
was 7:3O O'clock.
Are you anywhere near through? 2"
he asked, impatiently.
She shook her head and turned her
attention 10 the dress. Tom fumed as
he noticed that it was now 7:45.
Have you any idea how soon you
will be through" he asked, with q
forced calmneAs.
Not the slightest" she replied. in a
voice that was either muffied 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 bioomer-wearing friend,
threw open the door and stood gazing
in open-mouthed establishment.
"Why, Tom," he said, when he re-
covered himself, II thought you were
going to call for me If you left down
town first? You know you told me so,
and said If l got ready first I was to
come here and walk right In. Are you
going to the dinnerY"