The herald., 1913-04-24
HAD CORNER IN KISSES
BY EDNA MAILER.

by her sisters, she old not coInulahu
admiration.
James hair was wiry, and although
her mother put ii 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 1t
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 q
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.
oh n q
"Bo-Peep," and Ruth was an equally
dainty Mary, Mary, quite contrary"
but Jane did not need to ask OF heJ
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 it's blue bow called for soft, gold
en- curls. The lovely frock Of rose
sprigged dimity needed a plump neck
and rounded pair Of arms and.legs.
Why hadn't her mother provided a
Red Riding Hood" cloak, which ex-
tended to the floor? She could have
wrapped herself up in this like a worm
In its 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 iii she could not 60.
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 1t James hopes for a few
days In bed
Her mother proudly dressed each
one Of her ducklings and sent them
OF to the party with a kiss and wish
for a happy time" James rather
wistful countenance fingered with her
for a moment, and she wondered why
the child had become 80 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 ioneliest
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 girli
at the party and proudly fiounced VI
for their kisses as the nice boys called
their numbers.
James number had never beer
called and as each little girl jumped
from her chair and rushed to catcf
the pan. she deplored her LONELINESS
Then Teddy Brooks, the "red-head'
boy In the crowd, called Number
four" With a gasp Jane rushed FOL
the pan, and catching 1t, 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 lane wal
seated again shouted Number four.
Jane realized he had not avoided
her number as the other boys always
| did, and gieefully called Number
nine" again. Then Teddy yelled
-four" and Jane followed with nine,
and thus they cornered the kisses un
| til wild protests from the other guests
brought Mrs. Simpson to the scene
and being tactful woman, she sug
gested another game.
Teddy escorted Jane to supper and
as they sair goodnight" a knowing
twinkle cleaned in each pair of eyes
When the ugly duckling" awoke
the next morning the New Year was
greeted with heart full OF gladness,
for with its coming she had discov
cred q friend who considered her q
swan.
OF FoTo REALTY & AMUSEMENT COM
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. STATE
| OF LOUISIANA. CITY OF NEW OR