The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1879-08-29
MODERN BLUEsTOCKINcS

Dudley Manning, writing letter in
his seven-by-nine apartment at the
Clif~ood House. paused suddenly in
bis occupation 10 do . very improper
thing. He WAS listening, absolutely
listening t. the conversation in the next
room.
Doubtless, if the occupants OF tnat
room had been two gentlemen, or two
elderly ladies. bis curiosity would have
been duly restrained by his sense Of
honor But, As it happened. there was
an air Of mystery about the Misse9 Ar
mitsge. both Of whom were young and
one very bee u,iful. which had excited
Duiley's i'm .gination for several days
SO now. when the younger sister. for.
getful Of the trsacherous thinness OF
board partitions, raised her voice in
earnest discussion. Dudley laid down
bis pen, and listened unblushingly
1t Is no use to argue with me, Susan.
/ have decided not u 60
But, Edith. do be reasonable. Surely
your white ones will do just a, we'll,
and / DO SO want you TO 60
They wos,'t do at all. my dear sister
They will spoil the whole effect Of my
dres, No, I'm nothing if I'm not ar
tstic. and / would rather give up 8
dozen hops than do violence TO my
fitness
But you will be sorry when tomor-
row night comes. dear; know you will
If my last story had been accepted l
would
Yes. Susan, know you would, but
that does not aid me in this emergency.
oh, dear. why couldn't / have been
rich; Think Of arnt Delaney and her
hall million, and then consider that we
are her imrecunious nieces. How happy
she could make US il she chose"
But remember, Edith. that aunt De
lancy knows nothing of our real cir
We have been al ways too
proud to complain.
Yes. 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 bene.icent fairv
goimo'her takes pity on me and sends
me- II paie Of lovely pale blue stockings
in Time
Dudley Manning fairly started from
his chair IN surprise.
Blue stockings, Did any one ever
hear the like he exclaimed, and more
than ever he went back to bis
eavesdronpincs
If could would 8 nj for them,
but
Il wouldn't let you Susan. I'm un-
reasonable, | know. Come, dear, let
US go for walk. and say no more about
the stockings
And presently the sisters had left the
room. and Dndley sat thinking busily.
All at once he started up.
III do it. can go and come before
night, and she shall have her stockings
What q lovely face shc has, and such
perfect figure But how can they be so
poorY Ladies, too-retinement in every
word and look nobody could mistake
that
The young manhurried to the railroad
station. aud was just in time to catch
the noon train. as it sped city ward.
Two hours afterward. Dudley saun
tered into shop on Broadway. whose
broad windows displayed wild.ring
variety Of the articles of which he was
in quest.
With q somewhat guilty conscious
ness. he asked for ladies light blue
stockings.
The very best you have he added.
What size. sir 2 asked the saleswo
man.
Dudley was decidedly nonplussed.
I'm sure don't know forgot.
he stammered: then with sudden in
spiration: What size do ladies' with
small feet generally buy 2 he inquired. .
The shopwoman smiled primly. bnt
took down one box after another until
the counter was heapei with piles OF
6lmy. 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
Armitsge, Clifford House. Crookville.
and carried it to the Postottice. not
daring to trust it to any other hands.
She will get it tomorrow morning.
he thought. pleased himself all the way
back by imagining Edith's delight
Dudley sought his room soon after
breakfast next morning. waiting for
further developments.
As he expected, the sieters brought
letters up stairs, but only q few words
of the ensuing conversation was audi
BILE He ciught murmered ordinations
Of surprise and delight. and then:
OF course, they came from aunt De
lanoey. How kind Of her.
Yes. dear old soul, Isn't she lovely ;
l take back all l said about her Such
exquisite stockings. too. and six pair !,
Why, l feel as rich as n queen Susan.
And that was all lie heard, but he
was satisfied.
Dudley Manning went 10 the hop
that evening. and So did the Armitage
sisters. Susan WAS as ladylike and
graceful as ever. but Edith was beauti
full in her pale blue robe.
The stockings must match perfectly.
thought Dudley, as he contrived to get
an introduction.
Every moment increased the at.rac-
ton. Her lovliness made her quite the
star Of the bsll-r oom. but Dudley
scarcely allowed any one else TO speak
to her, so persisten,ly did he hover
about the sisters.
The evening glided by like a dream