The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1879-07-19
BLUE STOCKINGS,


Clitiwood House, paused suddenly in
his occupation to do very improper
thing. He was Observation-Disclosures
5istening-to the conversation in the
Aext room.
Doubtless, if the occupants of that
room had been two gentlemen, or two
elderly ladies, his curiosity would have
been duly restrained by his sense of
honor. But as it happened, there was
an air of mystery about the Misses
Armitage, both of whom were young
and one very beautiful, which had ex.
cited Dudley's imagination for several
days.
So now, when the younger sister, for
getful Of the treacherous thinness of
board partitions, raised her voice in
earnest discussion, Dudley laid down his
pen, and listened unblushingly.
1t is useless to argue with me, Susan.
have decided not to 60"
But, Edith, do be reasonable Surely
your white ones will do just as well, and
do so want you to CO."
They won't do at all, my dear sister.
They will spoil the whole effect of my
dress. No, Pm nothing if Pm not ar
tistic, and | would rather give up a
dozen hops than to do violence to my
sense of fitness"
But you will be sorry when to-mor-
row night comes, dear; | know you will.
If my last story had been accepted, |
would"
eyes, Susan, | know you would, but
that does not aid me in this emergency
Oh, dear! why couldn't [ have been
rich? Think of Aunt Delaney and her
halfmilliOn, and then consider we are
her impecunious neices. How happy
she could make us, if she chosep
"But remember, Edith, that Aunt
Delaney knows nothing of our real cir
cumstances. We have been always too
proud to complain"
eyes, that's another of our misfor-
tunes. We are as proud as if we were
not poor, and too poor to have any right
to be proud"
"Once more, dear, won't you go to-
morrow night?
''Not unless some benefcent fairy
god-mother takes pity on me, and sends
me pair of lovely pale-blue stockings
in time"
Dudley Manning fairly started from
his chair in surprise.
"Btte stOckingsW Did ever any one
hear the likeW he exclaimed, and more
mystifed than ever he went back to his
eayesdropping.
eff could, / would send for them,
but"
81 wouldn't let you, Susan I'm I'M
reasonable, | know. Come, dear, let lis
go for walk, and say no more about
the stockings"
And presently the sisters had left the
room, and Dudley sat thinking busily.
All at once he started up.
''Tll do it, | can go and come before
night, easily, and she shall have her
stockings. What lovely face she has,
and such perfect fgure But how can
they be so poor? Ladies, too-refne-
ment in every word and loOk-nobody
could mistake that"
The young man hurried to the rail-
road station, and was just in time to
catch the noon train as it sped cityward.
Two hours afterward Dudley saun-
tered into q shop on Broadway, whose
broad windows displayed a bewildering
variety of the articles Of which he was
in quest.
With a somewhat guilty consciousness,
he asked for ladies' light blue stockings.
The very best you have" he added.
"What size, STRIP asked the sales
woman.
Dudley was decidedly nonplussed.
"I-Tm sure | don't know forget"
be stammered; then, with a sudden in
spnation: What size do ladies with
small feet generally buy? he inquired.
The shopwoman smiled primly, but
took down one box after another, until
the counter was heaped with piles of
flmy, delicate-hued stockings, the very
poetry of hose.
dudley was suited at last. Carefully
he directed the parcel, when he had
reached his law office, to " Miss Edith
Armitage. CliffWoOd House, Brook
ville," and carried it to the postofice,
not daring to trust it to other hands.
She'll get it tomorrow morning" he
thought, and pleased himself all the way
back by imagining Edith's delight.
Dudley sought his room soon after
breakfast the next day, waiting for fur
ther developments.
As he expected, the sisters brought
their letters up stairs, but only few
words of the ensuing conversation were
audible. He caught murmured excla-
nations of surprise and delight, and
then:
"Of course they come from Aunt
Delaney. How kind of herW
Yes dear old soull Isn't she love-
ly. l take back all l said about her.
Such exquisite stockings, too-and six
pairs! Why, feel as rich as a queen,
Susanv'
And that was all he heard, but he was
satisfied.
Dudley Manning went to the hop that
night, and 50 did the Armitage sisters.
Susan was as iadylike and graceful as
usual, but Edith was ravishingly beauti-
ful in her pale blue robe.
" Thestockings must match perfectly"
thought Dudley, as he contrived to get
an introduction.
Every moment increased the attrac-
ton. Her loveliness made her quite the
star of the ball room, but Dudley
scarcely allowed any one else to speak to
her, 50 persistently did he hover about
the sisters.
The evening glided like dream
flowers, music, motion, bright nothings,
looks more eloquent than words-and
Dudley went to bed that nigh. hopeless
ly in love.
Four weeks had gone. The Armitage
sisters began to talk Of leaving the Cliff;
wood House for visit to their aunt.
As for Dudley Manning, he had long
ago disgusted the party of friends with
whom he came, by deserving them to re-
IL Iii lI+41o JOlo &c o,o III