The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-03-31
His Misplaced
Confidence

NU1lllOcIlCC
Mrs. Braithwaite opened tho htch.
On door In answer to timid knock
and q small girl handed her . note.
She read:
monday chicago. Dear madam Mrs.
Wendt Cannot come to wash monday
for I am Telling weary bade and !
will come to wash next monday your
Truly MRS. WENDT."
When the small messenger had
been sent on her way with q nickel
and the last piece Of cake in the
house Mrs. Braithwaite considered
the situation.
II never have washed before. but
what woman has done woman can
do" she murmured. It'll just cele.
brate my month-old wedding anniver.
sary by making 1t my first washday."
1t was nearly II o'clock before Mrs.
Braithwaite began to put her plan in.
to execution.
Presently she stopped to rest mo.
ment and ruefully contemplate her
redeemed hands robbed Of cuticle In
more than one place. Then the va,
ter boiled over in the wash boiler on
the gas stove. She raised the lid, fill.
ing the tiny kitchen with steam, and
at that moment there came tap at
the door, Lid in hand, Mrs. Braith.
waite answered the summons and was
confronted by a graceful figure in a
gray suit.
II couldn't ring the front door bell
because OF the newly painted steps"
explained the caller. els Mrs. Braith.
waite at homer"
II am Mrs. Braithwaite."
"Phil's wife! How perfectly de.
lightful to meet you! am Evelyn
Du Bots. You will excuse my calling
at this unreasonable hour, but I'm
passing through the city and took the
opportunity between trains to make
the acquaintance of Pills wife
Please, may I come in?"
II beg your pardon" Mrs. Braith,
waite said, painfully conscious Of her
abbreviated skirt and the boiler lid in
her hand She led the way into the
sitting room through the piles Of as
sorted clothes on the kitchen floor.
This. then. was the girl Phil had
been engaged to!
Mrs. Braithwaite looked around her
in dismay. Never before had the lit,
tie sitting room shown such disorder.
She gathered up an armful Of things
from chair and begged her caller to
be seated.
"Phil and have known each other
for years." Miss Du Bots observed.
Hes much older than I, you know,
imagine you are nearer his age. He
always said he never would marry a
brunette. but there's no depending
upon a mans word. as suppose you
have learned already. What q dear
home! And SO very. very tiny! Some.
how, I can't imagine Phil crowdins
his six feet of stature in here. OF
course he keeps up his singing, Mrs.
Braithwaite. and you play his accom-,
paniments?"
Mrs. Braithwaite shook her head
and became conscious of the sweep,
ing cap. She removed it, attempted
to smooth back her hair and felt the
curriers'. Az embarrassed flush stained
her cheeks.
my hair curls naturally" Miss Du
Bots volunteered with a superior
smile. "How do you keep your hands
in condition to play the piano when
you must wash? never dreamed that
Phil would ask his wife to do the
washing. He was always so consider
ate and"
my husband hasn't the faintest
idea that I'm washing" Mrs. Braith,
waite broke in Indignantly. "The WON.
an failed to come"
"Of course" Miss Du Boia
acquiesced with q politely incredulous
air. She consulted her watch, adding
~ she rose: Positively. 1t IL nearly
luncheon time"
Mrs. Braithwaite rose also, nerv
Oub BometnlnS tuS8ln8 4t ner throat
Phil would never forgive her for let,
ting Miss Du Bots 90 without some 70
But the pantry was
empty! Saturday they had dined
downtown; Sunday they had dined
with friends.
you must let me give you q. bite
and sup" Mrs. Braithwaite urged,
while you lay aside your coat In
the hall. I will prepare 1t quickly"
Seated at the table. brave with prot
~ new napery. cut glass and silver,
Miss Du Bots helped herself daintily
to bread. butter and Jelly. begging to
;be excused for emitting eggs. which
she never ate.
did you have caller to-day9.
asked Braithwaits Of his wife when
they met. ~.
YES Miss Du Bois." she answered,
"I3nst Evelyn on.ths street aaA sAs
tr1sA "a. get me-, 70 60 to lunch VIII