The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1908-05-09
TRIED IN THE FIRE.

library in a new reception gown, Mr..
Harmon drew an inaudible sigh, and
braced himself for the ordeal which
he knew was before him.
"Now, Frederick" said his wife,
in her most appealing tone, "please
tell me exactly what you think of
this gown"
"It's beauty" said Mr.. Harmon,
with what he hoped would be con-
vincing note of finality in his voice,
"a perfect beauty l should call it"
30, Frederick, that is what you
always say, no matter how my things
look, or what they are, just because
you're in a hurry to get back to your
reading. Now look carefully, while
turn. See what you think of the
back. 1 have a reason for asking
you."
"Um-m-is there something lit
tie queer about the back?" ventured
the critic.
"Where ?" demanded his wife.
-"Oh, along in the middle, there"
"Do you mean the middle across
or the middle up and down, Fred
erick?"
"Both," said Mr.. Harmon, miser-
ably. There seems sort of bulge
in it. But perhaps it's meant to be
just that way probably it is.
Put your hand on the place you
mean, Frederick, please"
Mr.. Harmon did so gingerly, while
his wife screwed her neck round and
endeavored to locate the offending.
81 can't see, and there isn't hand
glass down here she said, impa-
tiently. "Put your fingers on harder,
Frederick. Oh, that Why, that's
the rosette, and it has probably come
unlocked. You hook it, dear, and
see if it isn't all right"
"It's fine, now," said Mr.. Har-
mon, standing off, after sharp strug-
eve. Turn round again. Yes,
you're all right now. You can call
that a perfect success, that gown, my
dear"
Frederick, don't take up your
hook yet. I want you to tell me
how you like the yoke in front. The
yoke is the upper part of the waist,
Frederick, not down on the skirt,
where you're looking"
ut seems all right, " said Mr.. Har-
mon, hesitating, after cautious
glance at his wife.
"Do you think less trimming would
be better? Or that the little pleated
ruffle ought to go in a point instead
of that circular way?'
Mr.. Harmon pursed his lips.
"Would you like it better without
the rufle, Frederick Please be
frank. You're the only one can de-
pend on for honest criticism. 1t IS
too youthful for me?'
It was crucial moment, and Mr..
Harmon realized his peril. Suddenly
he had an inspiration.
"The yoke looks all right enough
to me-" he said, carelessly. II
should say you could bear that ruff1e
and the trimming, too, without being
overloaded. But when you ask me
if it's too youthful-why, I should
have said"
Frederick" and Mrs. Harmon
advanced upon him with joy as he
made his dramatic pause, 'you are a
perfect dear I knew you'd see it.
I told them at the shop it looked suit
able for woman of fifty, and Pm
not anywhere near that yet. They
insisted that it didn't
Mr.. Harmon lifted his eyebrows.
ST know, that's just the way a
man would feel about it, but we wo-
men are so easily persuaded. But /
shall send it back tomorrow, with a
note, saying my husband considers It
altogether too old for me p and with
her head held high, Mrs. Harmon
swept from the room.
"Whew |" said Mr.. Harmon, as
he dropped into the chair. "That
was a narrow escape !"- Youth!
Combanion.