The Red Cloud chief., 1912-06-13
Her Irnpulsiive
Way

why. Alice. didn't you go out to
lunch today?"
mo, l didn't" The stenogra pher did
not look up from the crocheting, and
what's more. there'll be no rest for me
Moons. nights. or Sundays. Caroline.
until these table mats are done.'
Il wasn't aware thta you were In
any Immediately need of table mats"
pursued the bookkeeper. "lsa't this
rather sudden?"
They aren't for me. worse luck.
When I need household goods I'll let
you know, never fear. These mats
are forsanother and they are long over.
due" The stenographer laughed bit.
terly. Behold In me Victim OF the
habit Of promising In haste to repent
when repentance IL entirely useless"
"What?"
Il mean that I'm one Of those unfor.
tunate impulsive persons who are al.
ways gratuitously and recklessly OF.
fering to do things for people. Observe
these mats. There was really no rea
son why I should undertake the manu-
facture Of eighteen doilies, six of each
Of the three Sizes you know, for n per
son like Mrs. Corwine. but when she
told me that Mr.. Corwine had bought
her beautiful mahogany dining table
I at once said, without considering the
matter at all, automatically. you know,
that would make her a set of mats
for It. She took me up with jump
and hoped Id do the pineapple pat
toru It'o ha snnst al RNr,,It ot tkf n I
know.
Now she Is probably wondering
when I'm ever going to get them done
The truth Is that I've only just been
able to begin them. for I've been spend.
ing every spare minute for the last
month on the border of French knots
that in moment of abstraction
promised to embroider on Gertrude
Lanes white marquisette dress. She
bought 1t ready made and she thought
1t looked to plain. SO. Of course. ]
suggested the French dots and when
she said that she didn't know how to
make them, I volunteered to do them
| for her.
For four long weeks those knots
have haunted me. Every evening that
| I've wished to read or play cards I've
been obliged to stick to the dots. and
the worst of 1t is that my offer to do
Arude has no realization OF what o
| Herculean task they were. I wouldn't
feel so sorry for myself as I do II
thought were receiving proper credit
for my labor
ITS the same way with these doll.
ies. Mrs. Corwlne thinks that because
4 said In light and airy way that Id
make them they're mere amusement
or pastime for me. Did you ever know
such goose as l am-to get myself
into doing things and to hate myself
for It? I'm one Of those who jump In
where angels fear to tread"
The bookkeeper laughed. and Alice.
continuing to crochet violently, con.
| tinued:
"You ought to be thankful you
haven't the habit. It gets one into
all sorts Of entanglements. A few
weeks ago met some suburban
friends on the street. They appeared
80 pleased to see me that before I
really thought what was doing Il
asked them to come to town some day
and have lunch with me, and | prom.
Used to let them know very soon just
what day to come. That luncheon, for
which can neither afford the time nor
the money. and which wasn't In the
least called for. has hung on my neck
Alike milestone. The thought Of It has
UNpp1AA nj ~.
The event comes tomorrow. and then.
after these mats are done. I'm
through! l shall not mortgage my
time. money and industry any more
Hear me vow!"
"Yes. ! hear It," The other young
woman assumed an accusing air. But
what about my essay for the Young
Women's league that wanted you to
type for me this week?"
"Oh, your essay-certainly I'll type.
write that for you, dear. can do It
after hours, just as we'll as not"
Caroline laughed derisively.
But that's different" protested
Alice guiltily. Tipping for you Is
quite different from"
"Yes, OF course It's different. kiddo.
Everything Is different but you. You
are just the same dear. reckless prom.
User as ever. despite your hard heart.
ed. strong minded resolstions. But.
anyway. you can't type my essay for
I've already hired It done"
"Y0s mean thing! You know I
should have loved to do It for y0u!"
Talk about helpless cases." hughed
Caroline Chicago Daily News.