Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1918-03-22

us than we"
"You can't understand such things,
papa" said Lark. maybe you don't
know exactly how-how they feel.
When we go to Betty Hills we wear
her silk stockings and lie on the bed
-and-she won't let us walk in them,
for fear we may wear holes. Every
girl in our class has at least one pair
Betty has three, but one pairs holey,
and-we felt so awfully poor"
The smiles on the family faces were
rather stereotyped by this time, but
the exulting twins did not notice. Lark
looked at Carol fondly. Carol sighed
at Lark blissfully. Then, with one ac-
cord, they lifted the covers from the
boxes and drew out the shimmering
hose. Observation-Disclosures
shook them out for inspection! Their
faces paled little.
"They-they are very" began
Carol courageously. Then she stopped.
The hose were fine tissue-paper
imitation of silk stockings! The
April Fool, little twins" on the toes
was not necessary for their enlighten-
ment. They looked at their father
with sad but unresentful reproach in
their swiftly Swallowed eyes.
"It-its a good joke" stammered
Carol, moistening her dry lips with
her tongue.
'1ts-one on u.s." blurted Lark
promptly.
"Ha, ha, ha," laughed Carol, slowly,
dryly, very DULY.
"Yes-ha, ha, ha," echoed Lark, plac-
ing the bitter fruit carefully back in
it's box. Her fingers actually trembled.
"It's a-swell joke, all light" Carol
said; 1--WE see that well enough-were
not stupid, you know. But we did
want silk stockings so-awfully bad.
But It's funny, ha, ha, ha!"
"a gift from heaven!" muttered
Lark, with clenched teeth. "Well, you
got us that time"
"Come on, Lark, we must put them
sacredly away-silk stockings, you
know, are mighty scarce in u parson-
age"
Eyes, ha, ha, ha," and the crushed
and broken twins left the room, with
dignity in spite of the blow.
The family did not enjoy the joke on
the twins.
Mr.. Starr looked at the others with
all mans confused incomprehension
of woman's notions! He spread out
his hands-an orthodox, ministerial
gesture!
"Now, will someone kindly tell me
what there is in silk stockings to"
He shook his head helplessly. "Silk
stockings A gift from heaven" He
smiled, unmerrily. The poor little
kidsw Then he left the room.
Aunt Grace openly wiped her eyes,
smiling at herself as she did so.
Fairy opened and closed her lips
several times. Then she spoke. ."Say,
Prue, knock me down and sit on me,
will you? Whatever made me think
of such stupid trick as that?"
"Why, bless their little hearts,"
whispered Prudence, shifting. Didn't
they look sorry? But they were SO
determined to be game"
prudence, give me my eight cents"
demanded Connie. II want 1t right
away"
What do you want 1t for?"
"Im going down to MOrrow's and get
some candy. / never saw meaner
trick in my life! I'm surprised at
papa. The twins only play jokes for
fun" And Connie stulled grimly out
of the parsonage and off toward town.
A more abashed and downcast pair
Of twins probably never lived. They
sat thoughtfully in their room "A.
Phoole's Silk Thread Hose" carefully
hidden from their hurt eyes.
at was a good joke" Lark said, now
and then.
"Yes, very" assented Carol. "But
silk stockings, Larhe!"
And Lark squirmed wretchedly. "A
gift from heaven" she mourned. "How
they must be laughing!"
But they did not hugh.
Connie came back and shared her
candy. They thanked her courteously
and invited her to sit down. They they
all ate candy and grieved together ST.
lently. They did not speak Of the
mornings disaster, but the twins I'M
derstood and appreciated the tender
sympathy Of her attitude, and although
they said nothing, they looked at her
very kindly and Connie was well con-
tent.
The morning passed drearily. The
twins had lost all relish for their we'll
planned tricks, and the others, down
stairs, found the usually wild and hi
larious day almost unbearably poky
Prudence's voice was gentle as she
called them down to dinner, and the
twins, determined not to show the
white feather, went down at once and
took their places. They bore their
trouble bravely, but their eyes had the
surprised and stricken look, and their
faces were nearly old. Mr.. Starr cut
the blessing short, and the dinner was
eaten in silence. The twins tried to