Arizona republican., 1896-03-18


 The next morning when MT. Cranston put on his coat to start for his office his wife called him back and said:
 "Tom, I'll promise you never to men, tion boomers again, but if you ever 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 Crans- tons face came again, and he kissed his wife
 ''That's dear, good girl, Louise," he said. q hated to refuse your re- quest, but really I don't like the idea of your wearing those things. And now, if there is any thing else you want me to do for you, juss 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 I come home. Good-by."
 "Now, then,'' said Louise, as she went upstairs, 'sI'Il see if I can't make Mir. Tom change his opinion about boomers. That promise of his was the very thing I 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. .,s,.,
 "Oh, Tom!' 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; ''rll 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 rag carpet? What is it you want me to do for you? If it's to clean up all this mess here shall refuse, for have some work to do next week."
 "No," she said, laughing, "I don't want you to clean up the mess and I'm not making a rag carpet. I'm mak- ing bicycle dress, which 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, five got to go out to that dinner at eight o'clock, and it's now nearly seven. 1 won't have time. Let the dress go for to- night"
 II can't let it go, for 1 must have it to- morrow morning. she insisted. "You've promised to do what I asked, and now when I 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. Can't you see that your request is trivial and unreasonable, and I 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 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- ping of his wife.
 About half an hour," she replied, brightening up little.
 Well, then, hurry up," said Grams ton, throwing off his coat and standing erect. Bring the thing here"
 And so the gown wes mt on Mir. 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 it with a critical eye, ''tili5 is of the greatest importance to me, and know you will help me out"
 'Umr' was the only answer her hus band made. He was looking straight at the clock and wondering how ii was that the minute hand was moving so fast.
 He thought that the clock must be out of order. He pulled out his watcf and saw the minute hand there moved with the same railroad speed, and ii was 7:30 o'clock.
 Are you anywhere near through?' he asked impatiently.
 She shook her head and turned hel