The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-02-22

Mother" Elizabeth hesitated mo-
ment. 81 wish you wouldn't wear
your apron when you come into the
parlor evenings"
why not, Bess?"
well it looks so-bourgeois."
whats that?"
why, you know, sort of common
well that's funny. I always feel
real dressed up when l have. on one
of my pretty aprons. But l won't
wear an apron if you don't want me
to-"
That's a DEAR" said Elizabeth,
gratefully. And, mother, do you
think you could coax father to wear
his coat when Mr. Haddon is here? 1t
looks just dreadful for man to go
around the house with his coat off. !"
But your father likes to be comfort
able, and l don't think he looks bit
untidy without his coat
Elizabeth sighed deeply. Just then
the door bell rang. Eager to get there
before her brother, she ran and open
ed the door herself.
Say, you're getting awfully anx'
ious, aren't you, Bess?" Jack called.
Elizabeth in her endeavor to appear
unconscious of this thrust, greeted her
visitor with what she knew was stllt-
ed politeness They had not been set
tied in the parlor two minutes before
her mother appeared. She spoke
pleasantly to young Haddon, asked
him if be didn't think the evenings
were getting cool, and then, glancing
down at her apron, precipitately left
the room A moment later she return
ed, consciously smoothing out the
front of her skirt, from which she
had just removed her apron.
Elizabeth's annoyance at this was
not lessened when Jack bobbed in and
asked loudly: What time you going to
have the handout, Bess? I'm going
down to Bud Browns. but If there's
to be a feed here I'll beat it back"
"Oh, Jack, l wish you'd" began
Elizabeth.
Run on, DEAR" said Jacks mother.
I'll save you something if we have any
thing to eat Oh, there's father" Mrs
Days face beamed with welcome for
an instant. and then suddenly clouded
over, Father, don't you think you
ought to have on your coat? It's a lit
tie chilly"
Chilly! Cannon. mother. You know
never wear my coat in the house
Say, Haddon. these women are al
ways fussing at their men folks. Some
day you'll know what it is to have a
wife worrying about you
Elizabeth's face turned scarlet, but
Haddon laughed. and said: II GER
tainly hope So"
Now, father, come out in the din
ing room. I want to show you some
thing. Mrs. Day smiled at her own
tact and led her husband away to be
gently lectured on the subject of
wearing coat.
do you know" said Haddon to Eliz.
abeth as soon as they were alone, II
think you are about the most fortu.
nate girl in the world?"
"Why?" was the astonished query.
Because you're surrounded by such
whole souled relatives. feel like en-
bracing your sweet little mother when
l see her wearing that crisp white
apron. 1t takes me back to the time
/ had a mother up in Maine who wore
white aprons. And your father! How
hearty and kind he is! tell you, in
these days of affectation it's a priv
ilege to meet people like Mr.. and Mrs
Day."
What about Jack?" asked Elizabeth
hesitatingly.
Hes an all round boy-tha kind
that makes the real man. It's the real
people who count" W.
II fear" murmured Elizabeth, that
I'm the only one in the famil, that
isn't quite real" r.. -
Haddon laughed You're real
enough to suit me-" he answered.
. 4 - i r. e. % . (. 81 ~