The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-02-21
THE EMBROIDERED STOCKINGS
A Love story.

She was very pretty, but there came a
time when don't think I cared the least
for her beauty, her soul was 50 much more
attractive than her body. She was no
humble wild flower maiden, but widow
who had received magnificent dover of
blue blood, including talent, and all that
culture could develop in beautiful and
intellectual woman was hers; all that
wealth could bestow upon her she DOS
sessed. She had the good fortune to have
no singularity of nature, but was SYM
metrical and harmonious whole.
loved her, aud I possessed the hum
bleness of true love. The more intimate
~ knew her, she made me conscious of
things that were mean in myself. Out
of this feeling grew jealousy of other
men.
A bitter jealousy. She was of too sunny
and generous temper to pick for flaws,
nor could she know man as other men
knew him.
She could not understand that DR.. Co.'S
grove was as irritable in private as he
was suave and agreeable in public, and
! would not tell her that Captain Lang
dale seldom pays his debts. They were
but two Of her many admirers, and they
were both handsomer and Shower than
myself. In time was miserable on their
account.
I connot now, in cold blood, accuse her
of coquetry, but Stephenie st. Jean was
of French blood on her fathers side. Be-
sides speaking that language perfectly,
she had the French woman's secret of
fascination. A tritlc more in vivacity,
when surrounded by gentlemen, made
her utterly irresistible.
saw and felt the charms, and could
not content myself with the thought that
in: the quiet hours We BASED together l
knew myself dear to her. Many winter
evening had we sat together on the. little
velvet sofa before the drawing room fire,
secure from intrusion, her beautiful head
resting on my breast, content in her eyes
happiness in her smile. And yet, swear
ing her to be the proudest and most del
lcate of women, was madly jealous of
other men.
For months would not see her alone.
She was one of large family, and she had
favorite cousin, Lily Lawton, who was
her constant companion.
She was very young, and bright, sweet
little thing; but Of late she had seemed
dropping, as If out of health, and
stephenie had been usually protective and
kind.
For Stephenie's sake frequently took
Lily out to drive, though her exceeding
simplicity often bored me.
could not but wonder that Stephenie
associated with her SO constantly; but
Lily worshipped her magnificent cousin,
and the latter delighted in being kind to
those weaker than herself. "Kitten. >
she called Lily, and there had been some
thing especially kittenish in the girls
round: bright and gray eyes and playful
graceful ways.
Her special charm was gone now. She
vas pale, faded, spiritless little thing
etephenle kept her constantly under he1
wing.
Kitten must have green fields and
pastures new" she said. "The NAV
suns are getting strong, and I, too, lone
Tor country trip. We are going tt
branchVllle, and shall be absent a week
Mind you are good boy till we come
back"
I smiled, but on the wrong side of m,
face.
"eeA, l murmured.
A week and one day. she laughed.
shall Ike gray-headed when vo,
come back" said, smiling at nv owl
vexation.
She laughed more gayly than ever
then shadow fell over her face.
1T il for L'ly's sake, she WHISPERED
"look at her."
Lily lay on hammock on the piazza
nor hands lying listlessly in her Ian. no
shade Of color in her check. '' ~
The thought came to me that the chill
was bound for the land of shadows.
enie. ''''- N''7e'
"Yes," I answered.
l saw them off in tine morning tra;n--
Kitten with her cheek on Sfephen;e,
shoulder. l carried the picture befor'
my eyes all the week-~my magnificent
generous brunette supporting the failinf
strength Of that pale, tair-faced child
And / had never loved her better in m,
life than in this new phase
%fAweek and aday Stephenio had said
therefore I had no expectation Of seem,