The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-09-05
DAILY SHORT STORY.
THAT DAREED STOCKING.
BY DARRA MORE.
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Sue Clarity put down the last unpaid
bin and her lips met in a firm. deter
mined line. For ten years now. she
| had been wrestling alone with-bills.
The girls father had been a painter.
Always the Income had been uncertain,
inadequate. The day he died. IL ceased
entirely. Mrs. Clarity was one Of those
helpless women. There were two girls
younger than Sue, who knew not hop 70
help out in the crisis.
She became a stenographer For ten
years she had piloted the little family
through IIfe's undercurrents. For ten
years she had known nothing but work
and scheme and work to keep the ever
Increasing bills paid. There had been a
time when the outgo was squared by her
income. but for two years now she had
been steadily going behind. The unpaid
bills. however. were not Of her making.
Almost nothing did she spend on her
self. She made her own simple shirt
waists and skirts. She, fashioned her own
hats. She kept her clothes repaired. She
darned and redarned her stockings.
Every little pleasure dear TO girls
heart, she had forgotten. Her sisters
knew no such deprivations, however. nor
did her mother.
And Sue was tired, deadly tired. The
accumulation Of unpaid bills had made
the girl almost desperate.
I'm going to take a vacation" the
Iong-starved nature Of Sue Garrity de-
clAred. I'm going to forget all these
bills. I'm going TO forget others and
think Of myself. I'm going to have a
two weeks holiday
But her practical. disciplined nature
argued, But Just think how much II
will cost and consider how many Of those
bills could be paid. II you stay at home. -
II don't care" shot back frivoIty-bent
Sue. I'm going away somewhere for
two weeks where l can be like other
girls"
There was CONSERVATION in the little
family when Sue declared her intention.
1t had not occurred to them that their
little bread-winning machine could have
any feelings or desires. They remon-
strated, OF course. Then. they stormed.
Then. they pleaded. But. for once, the
girl held out against her parasitic family.
I'm leaving Saturday" she said. and
that settles It."
With a popular magazine in hand and
an Indian blanket thrown over one arm.
Sue Clarity followed the lovers path that
wound through the fragrant wood back
OF the hotel. She selected a tree not far
from a purling brook as a prop for her
afternoons diversion.
Laying down the magazine, her eyes
rested on the sunny brook. The call of
the young DAYS surged In her blood Care
fully she looked about for sign Of a
chance intruder. Satisfied that she was
far enough from the path to have perfect
seclusion, the girl began operations.
With a ripping laugh, such as she had
not INDUCED in for years. she removed
the very good-looking but well-worn
shoes. Then again she looked up and
about for sign Of stray invader. Again
the look was reassuring. on came one
cotton stocking with many darns therein.
and then the other. Carefully she placed
them on top OF the shoes. Up went her
skirt, and gingerly she stepped on to en-
Joy that acme of sport in the child's cal
endar-wading.
II was while. the girl was exploring up
stream that TyreIl Kemp. Of New York
stumbled through the underbrush and
came out by the tree where Sue Garrity's
shoes and stockings lay unabAshed Sues
belongings would never have been mo-
Tested had one stocking foot been per-