Middletown transcript., 1903-12-19
STELLA AND STOCKINGS !.
BY ETHEL SIGSBEE SMALL


/ So they all say, l murmured, modestly.
4 Stella ignored me, and began to work
very busily at the back of her skirt,
which l observed had strange, draped
appearance. Another moment and the
train OF it had fallen over her silk petit
coat, and ankles, zigzags, and all were
things Of the past. Selfshly pleased at
having deprived me Of an innocent pas
time, she Strengthened her hair and
beamed down on me.
i was trimming the Christmas tree,
she explained, brightly.
| don't believe it. said. firmly. l
think you were indulging a hoydenish
passion for climbing. However, you
may 60 on-I don't mind, and looked
magnanimous.
4 certainly intend to, returned Stella,
with horrid independence, and she
picked off Cutlery, red thing that had
found lodgment in her hair, and tied it
to the tree.
| You aren't doing it right, insisted.
i What is the matter? asked Stella, sur
prised.
/ You were doing it differently when
came in, l explained, and looked
despondently at the place where the
ankles had been.
Don't talk nonsense, commanded she.
l sat down much hurt, for had felt
very strongly in the matter; then seeing
Stella to be adamant got up again, and
submitted in the worst possible grace
to the handing up of things to her. |
could not but feel had been jolly fool
not to have sat quietly down when /
entered. But then one never thinks
of things until too late.
Therel said Stella, drawing her brows
into a little bunch and surveying the
tree critically. 1 think that is all, and
she bestowed the finishing touch in the
shape Of long and lumpy dancing girl,
who dangled helplessly from her twig
as though ashamed Of herself, which is |
the most can say in her favor.
As l had long ago lost all interest in
the tree was not sorry it was finished,
and put up my hands to help Stella
down.
Do you think you can hold me? asked
Stella, doubtfully, looking first at the
floor, and then at me as if I were some
tender flower whom the first touch would
wither.
1 will do my best, reioined, Grossly,
for 1 am proud of my bicaps, and did
not like the imputation.
I'm heavier than you think, she went
on, jumping on the ladder a little as
if to give me some idea of what to expect.
l looked my scorn.
Well, if you really think you can
She deserved punishment, and l gave
it.
After all, Pm afraid l can't, 1 said,
coolly, the doctor has given me decided
iniuctions against straining myself.
think you had better get down by your
self, and l sank, feebly, into the nearest
chair.
For an instant fire flashed in Stella's
eyes, but the next moment wistfulness
had taken Its place. She is an artful
creature, and not above using her wiles
on an unprotected man. If had stop
ped to think moment would certainly
have become aware of what must have
been fact, that as Stella had got up
by herself she was quite capable of get
ting down again. Her detection, then,
was unnecessary, and her wistfulness act
ing, but I took it for genuine. When
her mouth dropped like a sad baby's,
and two tears stole their bright way into
her eyes, l was ON my feet in twink
ling. She gave me small hand, and
let the smooth fingers curl invitingly
about my own. | put my arm around
her and slowly, very slowly, drew her
from the ladder
Stel! came in a loud and sibilant
whisper from the door, has he come
yet?
Stella wriggled from my arms. l say
"wriggled" because that is just what
she did, and no more dignifed adjective
viii express it. turned menacing
on the intruder. am sure
Stella was as provoked as l, but she
would never have shown it-dear no!
She smiled upon the small boy whose
head alone was visible around the corner
Of the door.
Has who come, sweetest? she asked.
Thanty, answered Sweetest, myster-
ously. "Thanty," I believe, is baby
Tor Santa Claus.
Why no-not yet; now 60 to bed like
! good boy. Then as the wee face grew
'ad she relented. Come in and take C
'ne little peep at the tree. Don't tell c
he other boys, though. @,
Sweetest, who was christened Archi- 81
oald, entered boldly. The fact that he
wore merely an undershirt seemed in
10 way to embarrass him. He was above
III such petty conventionalities. ad-
nired him for his independence, but
stella drove him from the room. His
lowls, the walls of innocence misun.
lerstood, came back to US as he toiled +
Ipward.
1t is a beautiful evening, remarked
'tella, going to the window to lean 4
lot cheek against the pane. III
| saw she wished no reference made
0 our latest adventure, SO for once |
her desire and agreed with
Ter, though it was raining, showing and
ailing all at once outside. III
1t is night to make one thankful for
home and lots of warm clothing, she
fent OH musingly. Ill
Yes, / responded, absently, thinking
I Archibald and of how he despised
is blessings. Stella must have thought
this, too, for she turned abruptly from