The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-24
BINGHAM APRONS.
BY F. II. LANCASTER.
fcopyrisht, 1901. by Daily Story Pub Col


 # ; < ys $ ss % ss $ & $ < ;s $ $ < s Because Sue requested that it be made plain. And my motto is, do wha' you are asked to- do-neither more nof | less"
 1t is d very sensible one" Kent re- marked. "A long way ahead of all those nihil 'desperandum excelsior g. and ne scio tibfs that folks go into agony over; l "WCn you see," she explained as she l threaded her needle,' those terribly en' ergetic mottos mean nervous prostratio l if you live up to them and cynicism il l you don't.' Did you ever have the nervous pros tration?''
 No, l never did she said pleasantly.
 The man on the railing again fell to studying those busy fingers in contented silence.
 |. T thought singing and sewing always went together, he remarked presently
 Nellie reached for her scissors ant made no reply.
 Don't they?'' he insisted. "T really don't know" she admitted This is not my vocation. so naturally I am not up on all the tricks of the trade
 But you were singing when I came and your motto is to do what you are asked to do.'
 Not when the request assumes the proportions of an impossibility," she said with a touch of tailor-made severity
 Tt is good motto ahyway," he ob- served. imagine how smooth things would go if everybody was contented to do just what he or she was asked to do. -
 "Oficiousness is sometimes bane. Nellie agreed as she selected button. At least in the business world.
 "Ia all phases of worlds. I should inn agine,' he corrected. Look how 1t plays the mischief with married life A man asks d woman to become his wife and she at once undertakes to become his keeper. Drives him distracted trying to save him in the very teeth of circum- stances"
 Nellie laughed, but the man opposite her remained serio IS. He glanced int5 the room behind her and picked up his
 You won't treat me that way when you become my wife, will you?" he ask ed huskily.
 ton was, to say the least, unexpected. but she laughed naturally.
 No indeed" she replied lightly. 'I am not joking" he said, seriously. 'I have been in love with you for a while to try to say anything. You seem ed to be so far above all forms of fem mine weakness. It was absurd to think of you ,unbending enough to-well, you see, I thought you had contempt for IT ratrimony and housekeeping and Ill those soft things"
 Nellie smiled in spite of her perplexity. MatrlmonN IS not SOIL tnlngs Sne objected. with her eyes upon her work.
 You don't know, you have never tried
 But i have my imagination" she ex- plained
 "So have I; and I imagine that life with you would be one long dream of bliss. Help me a little. I cant take you in my arms and make love to you in full view of those people passing out there V
 ''.Jo,' Nellie agreed drily, 'I don't think YOU could. ' "Well?" he asked after an uncertain pause. "Is it to be a blessing or an i'm preca:ion on those-aprons?' You will do as you prefer, of course, '' she replied quietly, and added in low CT tone, ''I think I shall bless them Really"
 He sprang down from his perch on the railing and took up his position on the | machine top beside her chair. You will have some aprons just the color of these with white lace round the | edges and nice little pockets for your | keys and you will wear them in tn | morning. won't you. dear. when you com out into the hall with me after break fast to tell me Coodbye|' ' Nellie made no verbal response but he. l cheeks flushed eloquently as she bent | her head over the last button on old l Sus blue gingham aprons. , b,,S yH-oto