Metropolis weekly gazette. (Metropolis, Ill.) 1???-19??, 1914-08-14
ORDERS GOT MIXED

peter, dear" remarked pretty Mrs.
Skldmore at breakfast. we really
must have some new paper on this
dining room at once. This is scan
dalously shabby-look at it,
Il guess you're right her husband
admitted. Well, why don't you go in
town today and order some? Business
Is pretty good this season, and | guess
we can afford 1t all right"
Il would" she unused. only I've such
a busy week ahead, with the dress
maker coming and all. and the club
luncheon here on Saturday, and 1t
takes so much time. and the train sery-
ice is so bad. excepting in the early
morning and the evening. Can't you
order 1t, dear-slip of on the way TO
luncheon. you know. or somethingF
BelfeId's store is SO near you. and
were old customers OF theirs.
Very we'll: I'll do my best he
capitulated without enthusiasm. add
Ing firmly, but it's to be understood
that II choose the paper 1t stays. We
don't want any huffy workmen and
extra trips this time"
"Oh. of counsel" she cooed, delight
I'D that she had won her point so read
lly. Il promise to accept whatever you
send out. And thank you SO much,
dear"
A few moments later he left the
house. III I'm not back tonight. he
said In parting. "you'1 know that I've
had to run over to New York. As l
told you, Dodd viii wire me about how
the deal goes. and II I'm needed may
have to stay overnight to get the doeu
ments into shape. I'll try 20 phone you
definitely late this afternoon. You
won't be afraid with Nora here. But
about that Wallpaper
Just slip In the order II you have
time. she called after him. Evidently
he did 50. for two paperhangers, com
pletely equipped. arrived early that
afternoon. Mrs. Skldmore had the
dining room ready, In anticipation Oh
their coming, but Just as she was about
to inspect a roll OF the paper Nora an.
nounced caller. and she spent a long
hour with garrulous old Mrs. Hapgood.
whose numerous Ills furnished ample
material for conversation. A brisk slap
ming OF paste brushes across the hall
soon proclaimed that the men were at
work. but she queiled slight uneasi.
ness with the thought that Peters
quiet taste, plus the esthetic ideals
which abe had drilled into him, would
not let him 40 far wrong. Another
caller followed fast. and then q per
slatent book agent. so that IL was
long time before she was free TO In.
npect the room. Three walls were
completed when she stepped Inland
stood aghaatl All over her dainty
little dining room sprawled gigantic.
patterned landscape" paper. its enor.
nous trees and staring flowers OF blue
and green vivid against an uncanny
bun skyl She had seen one like II In
. window once. and had shuddered In
passing. And 10 think that Peter had
betrayed his trust In this way She
felt wild desire TO stop the men. bns
recalled her promise 10 take whatever
Peter might send.
There was no trace OF excitement In
her manner when her husband came
home from New York late that eve
ming. lie had dlned on the train. 50
they did not go TO the chamber OF
horrors that night She purposely
avoided speaking of the dining room,
and he forgot II until. as they passed
the door on their way upstairs. he
asked. casually, whether the men had
come. and how she liked the paper.
YES. they came she answered.
briefly; adding. with that battling.
frosty edge TO her tone. the paper
isn't exactly what | should have
chosen. but OF course II you like It'll"
Evidently. thought Peter. his choice
had not pleased her: but he was very
tired and sleepy. and felt grateful to
her because she was clearly dropping
the subject for the night breakfast
vas a little late the next morning. and
he hurried into the dining room some
what ia advance OF his wife. The new
paper NHt ftddg Aba AttNs e-N $3.50
him fairly between the eyes. He al
most staggered with the suddenness of
the blow
Mabel he gasped. turning to his
wife with horrorstricken face. that
paper, How-when-why did you
choose such a."
Peter skldmorel" she interrupted.
anger and amazement struggling for
mastery, ARE you crazy? Don't you
remember choosing and sending II
YOURSELF"
Il didn't" he asserted. Indignantly;
Il never saw il before' Wait. though
| dld see II at BelheId's. with big.
fiorid, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS lady gush-
ing over Ii, They've mixed the orders.
somehow, Mabel-it- must be that!
Why. mine was beauty; Just the kind
you like--iyory. with hint OF green.
But. oh, Mabel. to think you'd believe
me capable OF unloading a nightmare
like that on my innocent wife! ! see.