1 84 
LOST STOCKINGS. 
as sea-side and mountain cottages have in the 
Atlantic States. But such visitors had been gone 
for some weeks, when their party made one of 
these houses do duty as hotel. Mr. Maxwell 
Vvas the first to make his toilet in the morning, 
and after spending an unusually long time about 
it, inquired : 
“ Mattie, have you done anything with one of 
my socks ? ” 
“ It’s altogether probable I have,” she answered, 
rubbing her half-open eyes. “ There are so many 
fascinating things I could do with that ‘ inviting 
piece of your wardrobe ! ’ ” and she noticed his 
helpless, perplexed-looking face with amuse- 
ment. 
“ Oh, pshaw ! Now be in earnest. I’ve looked 
everywhere, and I can’t find it.” 
“ I am ready to believe you. The room looks 
as though either a man had been looking for 
something, or a whirlwind had been having a 
frolic here ! You have probably buried it under* 
something.” 
“ No, I haven’t. I pulled them both off right 
here, and one was all right, but the other was 
gone.” 
“ Well, hand me the valise, and I’ll get you 
another pair. And, as not a soul has been in the 
room during the night but ourselves, we will call 
this a decided case of spirits or rats.” 
