The Tupelo journal., 1913-06-13
HAD CORNER IN KISSES
~ EDNA MAILER.

ling Of the family. and although bel
frocks were just as pretty and her
hair ribbons Of the lovely tints worn
by her sisters, she did not command
admiration.
James hair was wiry, and although
her mother put it up" in curriers' each
night, the refractory tresses refused
to form a ringleted halo about the
little face. Elsie and Ruth had lovely
curls which never came out" when II
rained; but James did.
She longed to be pink and white
and pretty, like her sisters, and each
morning rubbed her little brown face
so hard with the soapy cloth that fire.
~quently cold cream had to be applied
to soothe the burning skin. James
feet and hands were large, and her
skirts and sleeves too short to be OF
any use in concealing them. Realiz-
ing all these facts, Jane was shy. She
hated parties and entertainments,
where she had to sit alone against the
wall and strive to look at ease, while
the other girls had the best kind OF .
time.
When the invitation came from
Ethel Simpsons mother. asking the
sisters to a fancy dress" party New
Years eve, Jane resolved to remain at
home. Her mother, not understanding
the reason for her little daughters
sudden dislike for parties, immediate
ly started the costumes. and a day be-
fore the event the costumes were COM
pleted and tried on.
Elsie looked like a Dresden china
"Bo-Peep." and Ruth was an equally
dainty Mary. Mary. quite contrary"
but Jane did not need to ask of her
glass,
Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who's the fairest one of ALL"
One glance told her the painful
truth. She was all wrong as Little
Miss Muffet." The fluffy white cap
with its blue bow called for soft, gold
en- curls. The lovely frock Of rose
sprigged dimity needed a plump neck
and a rounded pair Of arms and legs.
Why hadn't her mother provided .
RED Riding Hood" cloak, which ex-
tended to the floor? She could have
wrapped herself up in this like a worm
In it's chrysalis.
Her mother was satisfied. She saw
only the pretty costume, and knew
that her work was good"
Poor Jane! That party hung like
the sword of Damocles over her head,
and she wished that the box Of choco-
lates she ate that day would make her
so i'll she could not go.
The next morning her head ached,
and Jane grew more cheerful. Per
haps she would have a bilious attack.
and Doctor Myers would prescribe cal
omel. That, she knew, would make
her dreadfully ill. After breakfast and
a morning spent building a snow fort,
the headache had totally disappeared,
and with it James hopes for a few
days in bed.
Her mother proudly dressed each
one of her ducklings and sent them
off to the party with a kiss and a wish
for a happy time" James rather
wistful corntenance fingered with her
for a moment, and she wondered why
the child had become so strange.
The Simpson home was aglow with
life, and as they entered the doorway
the sounds of merriment issuing from
the parlor made Jane long to escape.
She followed the others upstairs to
shed their wraps, like an automaton,
and when Mrs. Simpson ushered them
into the room she sought the ~loneliest
corner and settled herself for the eve
ming.
Ethel Simpson suggested that they
play Spin the Pan" and selected
Elsie to number the boys while she
numbered the girls. The number fall
ing to James lot was four.
Then the fun began. Ethel, Ruth
and Elsie were the most popular girls
at the party and proudly f1ounced up
for their kisses as the nice boys called
their numbers.
James number had never been
called and as each little girl jumped
from her chair and rushed to catch
the pan, she deplored her LONELINESS.
Then Teddy Brooks. the '~'red-head"
boy in the crowd, called Number
four" With a gasp Jane rushed for
the pan, and catching it, blushingly
held up her face for Teddy's kiss.
Then she spun the pan, and without
thought and weakly said Number
nine" Teddy, grinning with pleasure,
caught the pan, and when Jane was
seated again shouted Number four"
Jane realized he had not avoided
her number as the other boys always
did, and gleefully called Number
nine again. Then Teddy yelled
-four" and Jane followed with mine"
and thus they cornered the kisses un-
til wild protests from the other guests
brought Mrs. Simpson to the scene,
and being a tactful woman, she sug-
gested another game.
Teddy escorted Jane to supper and
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