The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1878-02-23
The Brides Red Stockings.

Inc Brl0eS Ke0 SlOCklngS.
The Cardinal had enormous revenues,
aud spent fabulous sums in furnishing
his art galleries. No work of merit was
ever offered him in vain, and every trav-
eier who has been through his great
palace in Rome can testify how discrim-
mating his judgment was, and how
unique his taste. The Cardinal had a
niece, as all Rome knew He had given
her rare opportunities for education
the best masters in literature and art in
constant attendance; and now, at the
age of twenty years, she was sought in
marriage by a prince. 1t was we'll known
that she would be heavily lowered by
her uncle. 1t was well known, too, that
the princes estates were heavily en-
numbered, and he was naturally anxious
to retain his family possessions. He was,
however, young, accomplished, noble;
the pretty Beatrice, who was of gentle,
loving disposition, was most happy in
her engagement, and altogether it seemed
a fitting match. At any rate, the old
Cardinal made no objections to it, and
of trousseau, trusting, he said, to the
good taste and discretion that should at
tend her finished education and perfect
training that her purchases would be in
every way suitable to the high station
she was about to FILL Beatrice kissed the
dear old uncle with effusion, aud set
about the business of the trousseau,
resolving, as she told the Cardinal, to
make it worthy of princess. The uncle,
with one of his rare smiles, answered
her: Beatrice, mia, we shall see if
you know what is worthy of princess"
The Cardinal, with all his generosity,
had violent temper, was severe toward
any one who offended him, and impla-
cable to those who violated his aesthetic
convictions. 1t was even said that an
unlucky fellow who once pertinaciously
asked him 70 buy some work of art that
his Eminenee thought unworthy of con-
sideration, had felt the weight of his
short, that his Eminence, though bene-
tcent patron, was a man whom it was
dangerous to offend. While he had
been kind and affectionate toward his
neice, he had always governed her strict
ly, and, though providing for her iber-
ally, he provided nothing but what SEEM
ed good in his own eyes, and gave his
attention to the smallest details of her
life. Now that, for the first time, she
was left to her own judgment in an i'm
portant matter, he still quietly kept the
run of all she did by having her bills
sent TO him in person.
Beatrice gave out orders for the trous-
seau in royal style, and gradually they
began to come in. Rich dresses, all
gorgeous with embroidery, laces rare and
curious, wrought expressly for this for
tunate bride, the finest linens for under
wear, and even jewels, all passed unchal-
lenged. But one day there came from a
celebrated French mandatory, a bill
that made the Cardinals old face wrinkle
up into a great many queer FUCKERS =
four dozen pairs of stockings at two hum
and scundi for stockiugsi After an
ejaculation not taken from any of the
church offices, he sent in haste for
Beatrice. She came-such a vision
OF youth and happiness as might melt
any layman's heart; but the churchman' S
heart was not to be laid at any woman's
feet; so it had but little consideration
for her stockings.
Beatrice, here is a bill"
Yes, uncle, DEAR" as she slid down
like a sunbeam, and shone up at him
from low stool at his feet.
'Stand up, Beatrice"
She stood up, hands behind her, as
when she was little girl.
A bill for-stockings"
Yes, uncle"
-Four dozen pairs of stockings at two
hundred scudi each"
1t is too much?"
Too much! It's the price of this
gem that will live forever, and speak and
teach men as long as it lives" he said,
taking up an exquisite little picture that
he had lately bought. at is the price
of that beautiful marble there-so beau
ful that it brought tears to the ewes of a
young artist who saw it the other day,
and he went kome and worked the bet
ter for IL. Too much" and he nearly
fell into one of those CALCULATIONS, not
out of the prayer-book, again.
= / only sent, uncle, for the finest
the very finest stockings that could be
made"
Bring the stockings here to me-"
Beatrice obeyed, returning with
small parcel. The Cardinal ordered,
"Open it."
Trembling she opened it, and taking
out a pair of stockings, slipped one of
them over her hand to show the fneness
of the texture. The Cardinal slipped the
other over his hand.
Now why did you spend ten thou
sand scudi for these cobwebs? or. more
to the point, what do you want of such
things at all? +"
why, uncle, to cover my feet, to be
sure"
"But they don't cover your feet.
They are delicate as veil. / can see
every blemish on my hand through
them. Now, then, answer, what was
your idea?" ne questioned sharply.
T" If you please, uncle" his niece fall
tered, you didn't object to the dresses,
nor the laces, nor the Jewels and"
1.-The dresses are beautiful, and lend
stateliness to your presence; the laces
are wrought with art, and will last long,
and De curious objects even when they
are old. | have costly collection of
old laces that prize. Jewels are not for
the moment; they please the eye for CEN
turies. Tie abundance of linens, soft
and cool, accustom your touch every day
L e. J. u