Pour boiling water over the apricots; let stand.
Mix and sift together the next 5 ingredients.
Drain apricots, saving the liquid.
Pat apricots dry with a paper towel.
Add enough milk to apricot liquid to make 2/3 cups.
Cream shortening with sugar.
Beat in egg.
Add dry ingredients alternately with liquid.
Fold in apples, apricots, and walnuts.
Spoon into a well-greased loaf pan, 8 x 5 x 3.
Bake at 350° for 55 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick put in comes out clean.
Turn out of pan onto a wire rack to cool.
Slice and serve.