The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-12-05
"rd give my kingdom for a pair of

''For one pair only Anne. Don t cheap
en- your possession. Get two pairs, at any
rate; they would prove a most acceptable
Christmas gift, Margaret suggested,
practical maid 'sNot less than three if
you are sisterly. l am sure l need relief
as badly as either of you" Alice Win
terdene, who was perched on the table ele-
waited shapely ankle, to prove her as
sertion; silent testimony, the brace on the
old lounge copied. Surely dainty feet
were never before so shabbily covered and
the distressed faces bending over them,
were cruelty conscious of the lamentable
fact. Alice rallied at first.
s'Of what does you kingdom consist,
Anne? p
''My true, untried but tender heart, y
was the totally unexpected reply
''Oh, Anne, you would not give that,
to be well shod once more, would you? p
Alice said.
She was round and fair, and her soft
voice sounded like pur.
"My beloved Alice, | think would. l
think if anybody-but old Mr.. Shaven-
would promise to keep me in shoes the
remainder of my natural life l could al
most love him. At any rate, l know l
would Craze it as closely as l am capable
of doing. Remember that the emotional
stratum of my nature has not received cul
ture yours has-ditto Margaret's. If
ever 1 know anything about the tender
passion it will be by principal of evolu
ton and a process of development, pro-
duced by the magic of shower Of shoes
all number two's with French heels-and
all the modern additions that have come
into vogue since these old boots were new, "
surveying them. "And long ago that
l was only Is and now am 173. Dear,
old boots ! You have been marvel of
faithfulness," snatching one off and exam
lining its perforations critically. Her be-
witching face was curiously like an April
sky at the moment; smiles and tears strug
gled for supremacy.
'sDo you think Alice she continued,
dolefully, "that Jasper can contrive to sell
the necklace because then we could have
the shoes and go to Mrs. RockwelTs din
ner tomorrow And, oh 1 do SO want
to go.
81, too, do want you to go, poor, little
girl. You have never been anywhere. 1t
seems too cruel that we lost everything,
just when you were at the age to enjoy
things
'tI think the cruel part is that people
won t forget us-people We knew then,
who know we have nothing now-its cruel
of them to send us invitations, and make
us remember our Shoes" Margaret cried,
with convulsive lunge of the desired ar
ticles."
stAnne, are you really crying Cease,
cease; where is your vaunted disregard of
poverty? Be merry. Get up Christ
mas mood"
Margaret, don't tease me about it.
Our poverty is SO ludircrous Chests full
of silk, and satin gowns not blessed
boot to our backs, incoherently. But I
won't cry" Anne said, her brown eyes
flashing through the limped drops, as she
heroically strangled sob. ~ will rise
. superior to the horrors of the hateful pres
ent and believe something is going to
happen. Perhaps our English relatives
like other peoples transatlantic kinsfolk
will be accommodating enough to die, and
leave us that immense fortune, Jasper
loves to dream about. Maybe they are
advertising for me, even now. have not
looked at the personals this morning.
She sprang up and seized a paper, turning
the sheet with nervous hands, and glanc-
ing up and down the columns, with greedy
eyes, that brought the query.
s'What luck, Anne, from her seniors.
s'None today" The fresh young voice
seemed to have a sort of enjoyment in the
resignation to the inevitable. tBut who
knows what tomorrow will bring forth.
As for today, I think I will make some
hash. l love hash-when 1 can't get
anything better-dont you girls ?" speed
ing kitchenward. The morrow was pro-
life of unusual happenings, though it
dawned gloomily enough. For Jasper,
who was quite as untitled to cope with the
willy world, as his inexperienced sisters,
had failed to sell the necklace, and also
failed to secure situation. His elegant
figure, and patrician face, with its dark
dreamy eyes, the blond hair haloing the
wide brow like medieval saint, were not
calculated to inspire stolid business men
with the possessor' mercantile talent. In
deed, Jasper's talent had been horseback
riding, scribbling, while master of Partland
manor. Implicit faith in the trustee, who
had the estate in charge, was repaid by
utter ruin; but with the sanguine faith of
a gentle nature, he gathered up his moth
erless sisters, his manuscripts and such
goods and chattels as the law give him,
and came to Baltimore; bringing the girls,
and himself, with the belief that his pen
would support them afiuently. Vain
hone. There was too much competition
As dernier resort he had tried to pawn
his mothers Jewels, failing here, also.
To revert to prior assertion. Tomor-
row was prolific of unusual happiness.
Breakfast was scarcely over, when the
bell rang violently. Anne, imagining the
applicant for admission an importunate
beggar, responded 10 the summons Win
tagging feet, pitying herself that she had
nothing to give.
Nothing to give, and Christmas Day
She opened the door with leisureness
that was speedily routed by hesitation. A
very handsome young man was waiting,
with an air Of incertitude. He doffed his
hat Anne's golden head crested itself,
as it always did when she was surprised,
and her cheeks rivaled carnations.
"This is No 40 Wilton terrace, is it
not, F." he asked, with an involuntary smile,
that displayed dazzling teeth and dazzled
her brain.
"No, let me see; no, l think not, =
Anne answered, meditatiyely, recollecting
that she had never taken the trouble to ac-