The Ordway new era., 1910-06-10
His Misplaced
Confidence

Mrs. Braithwaite opened the kitch-
IN door In answer to timid knock
md a small girl handed her note.
che read:
monday chicago. Dear madam Mrs.
Wcndt Cannot come to wash monday
Tor am Telling weary bade and l
will come to wash next monday your
Truly MRS. WENDI.
When the small messenger had
been sent on her way with a nickel
and the last piece Of cake In the
house Mrs. Braithwaite considered
the situation.
"I never have washed before, but
what woman has done woman can
do" she murmured. I'll Just cele'
brate my month.old wedding anniver.
sary by making 1t my first washday."
II was nearly II o'clock before Mrs.
Bralthwaite began to put her plan In
to execution.
Presently she stopped to rest a mo-
mcnt and ruefully contemplate her
reddened hands robbed OF cuticle In
more than one place. Then the wa
ter boiled over in the wash boiler on
the gas stove She raised the lid. I'LL.
Ing the tiny kitchen with steam. and
ut that moment there came a tap at
the door. Lid in hand. Mrs. Braith-
waite answered the summons and was
confronted by graceful figure In
gray suit.
IT couldn't ring the front door bell
because of the newly painted steps,,
explained the caller. "Is Mrs. Braith-
waite at home?"
"I am Mrs. Braithwaite."
"Phirs wife! How perfectly de-
lightful to meet you! am Evelyn
Mt this unreasonable hour. but I'm
passing through the city and took the
opportunity between trains to make
the acquaintance Of Phn's wife.
Please. may 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 a chair and begged her caller to
be seated.
phil and I have known each other
for years." Miss Du Bois observed.
Hes much older than l. you know.
] imagine you are nearer his age. He
always said he never would marry q
brunette. but there's no depending
upon q mans word. as I suppose you
have learned already. What a dear
home! And SO very. very tiny! Some
how. I can't imagine Phil crowding
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 1t. attempted
to smooth back her hair and felt the
curriers'. "A embarrassed flush stained
her cheeks.
my hair curls naturally" Miss Du
Bois volunteered with a superior
smile. "How do you keep your hands
In condition to play the plano 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 wom-
an failed to come"
"Of course" Miss Du Bois
acquiesced with a politely incredulous
mir. She consulted her watch, adding
ns she rose: Positively. It is nearly
luncheon time"
Mrs. Braithwaite rose also, a nerv.
GUS something tugging at her throat.
Phil would never forgive her for let.
ting Miss Du Bois go without some re-
freshment. But the pantry was
empty! Saturday they had dined
downtown: Sunday they Ind dined
with friends.
you must let me give you bite
and sup" Mrs. Braithwaite urged.
while you lay aside your coat in
the hail. will prepare 1t quickly"
Seated at the table. brave with pret
ty new nanery. cut glass and silver.