The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-07-24

more. Pm tired of it, and | won't hear it
mentioned again"
The next morning when Mr.. Cranston
put on his coat to start for his office his
wife called him back and said:
'Tom, I'll promise never to mention
boomers again, but il 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 Cranston's face
came again, aud he kissed his wife.
That's dear good girl, Louise" he
said. 81 hate to refuse your request, but
really 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 just
name it, and I'll do it,"
He went away, but returned in moment
and called out:
''Oh, Louise, Pm going to dinner at
the club tonight, and want you to have
my dress suit handy when I come home.
Goodbye
"Now, then," said Louise as she went
upstairs, 'I'll see if l 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 last
Tom entered the house and rushed to his
room to put on his dress suit.
dressing. Come down here. 7 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.
care you making rag carpet? What is it
you want me to do for you? II its to clean
up all this mess here, shall refuse, for |
have some work to do next week"
"No," she said, laughing, 81 don't want
you to clean up the mess, and I'm not
making "A rag carpet. I'm making bicy-
Gle 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"
"Rut, Louise" he objected '''ve got to
20 out to that dinner at eight o clock, and
its now nearly seven. won't have time.
I at bo Jraut, ,r, g.,
II can't let it 90, for ] must have it
tomorrow morning" she insisted. "You've
promised to do what | asked, a1d now
when | want you to do little thing like
this you refuse, and think its real mean"
Mrs. Cranston stood up, holding pattern
in one hand and an unfinished dress in the
other, and looked as though she was about
to burst into tears.
"Oh, come now" he urged impatently.
Cant you see that Your request is trivial
and unreasonable, and l must 20 to that
dinner"
The tears that had seemingly been held
back with such AN effort now became visible
and rolled down her cheeks.
81 think its mean" she sobbed. "You
promised to do anything | wanted you to,
and now you won't keep your word. Ive
cut up my other dress, and the bicycle
party is of just as much Importance as
your old dinner"
Mr.. Cranston looked grave. lie did
not want to lose that dinner and he didn't
want to break his promise.
GLOW long will this fitting business
last?" he questioned after several moments
silence, broken only by the sobbing of his
wife.
"About half an hour" she replied,
frightening up little.
"Well, then, hurry up" said Mr.. Grams
ton, throwing off his coat and standing
erect, "bring the thing here
And so the gown was put on Mr.. Grams.
ton, and Louise dropped on one knee and
began pnning the draperies in hurried
manner.
I" You see, Tom" she said as she tucked
up the first fold and surveyed it with
critical eye, 'this is of the greatest import
ance to me, and l know you will help me
out"
Sum-" was the only answer her hus-
band made. He was looking stright at the
clock and was 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 that the
minute hand there moved with the same
railroad speed, and it was 100 o'clock
''Are you anywhere near through" he
asked impatiently.
She shook her head and turned her atten-
ton to the dress. Tom fumed as he noticed
that it was now 745. "Have you any
idea how coon you will be through" he
asked, with forced calmness.
''Not the slightest" she replied in a
voice that was either muflled with pins or
laughter, Tom couldn't tell which, for she
| was sfOonnp and studyinu tho hon, of tho