The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1877-05-26

"oh, Gtrty," cried Eva, as the farmhouse
came in sight. al am 50 glad We are at home;
now shall try my magic shoes.
But Eya's usually quiet home was In great
state Of excitement. Something untiNIAl
seemed to havo happened, which SiEected all
the household, though in different ways.
..+What has happened 2" asked Eva, anxious
ly, Of Allen. when she found him aone upon
that evening, -. ,5s'zs5, ~
Of losing our old homestead. Some one has
set up claim to It, the falsity Of which cannot
10 proved, because that an Allimportant paper
has boon lost. We have searched tho house
through, but our search has been useless. One
hope still remains that tho paper may DO at
grandmother Il might have been carried
there among other papers. Tomorrow viii
drive over, as am very anxious about the
affair. The loss OF this farm, nfter 20 many
years Of hard labor bestowed upon 1t, will al
most kill father"
The next day was IN anxious one 10 Eva,
andiu sympathy with her, Gerty was m -iois
also. She talked Of going home, but Eva
would not allow It. The little lady had no idea
Of having her schemes spoiled by such move
m6nt. s5E
= Tho long afternoon wore away slowly, as the
girls watched tho return Of Allen from his
search. Afternoon changed into oyoning, and
the evening wore into the night. The family
concluded that Allen was not coming that might.
and accordingly they separated with no hope OF
seeing him till morning. But Eva felt con-
tidOnt that Allen wonld return that very night,
40 she sat up waiting for him, walking to and
fro reStlosSly, and listening for tho sound OF
his wheels. She fancied Gerty was asleep
upon q sofa where She had persuaded her 10
lie down few moments before. No ono IN
the house was stirring. ..,...s
"Nsw shall try my magic shoes, !" said Eva,
aloud, to herself. ~ do hopO and pray that
I am true heartfelt .ll..'ss'
One slipper was little rebellious and would
not 90 on easily, but Eyl managed at last to
get her foot into It. Then as Gerty seemed
sound asleep, and could not hear, she VEN
tured 10 speak her Wishes aloud.
First and foremost" said Eva, "sinceit has
been the greatest hope Of my heart for 4 long
time, I de wish that my brother Allen would,
fall In love with and marry Gertrude WAyland.I
Secondly, Iwish that tho paper which proves
our right 10 this house OF my childhood may
bc speedily found, and that my father may be
as happy IN tho possession Of that which his
cheerful labor has endearcd 10 him, as II is
possible to be" Il
There was indeed the sound Of wheels ont
side, and Eva ran down TO meet Allen, without
4AppSAb VI "tohSnt
met him al the door, and at the first glance his
an ious face told hertz his search had been
useless. - N
"No hope left, Eva" were his first words.
Sooner or later We arc likely to lose our
home. Grandmother has searched her house
from cellar to attic, and there il no sign Of tho
iWcaricd and depressed, Allen cast his eyes
downward, and they rested upon Era's em-
broidCred slipperS. q sli.s
"what faneiill pair Of slippers, Eva. said
Allen, suddenly reused from his waarihess.
"Dld you GmbrodCr those, little sister,
"No," said Eva, little embarrassed; they
are not mine" -. -.
Wondering a little at Eya's evident -centu-
sion, Allen was abont 10 relapseinto bis former
anxious mood, when his sister took on ono OF
the slippers, with the remark that Il was much
tighter than tho other, she wondered why It
didut'flt. Allen took kAup the slipper rnechani-
cally, and commenced examining II. There
seemed to bo something In the toe, which oc-
cupied considerable space. LiStleSSly Allen
pulled out that with which tho too was stnired,
and was only little surprised when hc dis
covered a neatly folded pApcr. He opened
the paper much In tho same way as he had
taken Il from the slipper, and then suddenly
Eva was struck with unningled wonder, 10 sec
utl tAkCg HA1 JAhAFtAS
rOum IN way that savored much Of insanity.
''rYe found tho precious paper, Eva, said
Alien, at length, orertunsilg table and all its
contents, III Ills great Joy.
Suddenly the affair became clear to Eva.
Some mischievous person at grnndmothers
must have stuffed the paper Into the slipper,
without ever dreaming that hO. was doing mis-
chief. One by one the family came troopinG
down stairs aroused by the great noise OF tho
overturned table. But mono felt that they
had paid too dear for their trouble, whom they
heard the good news. =
"Gerty, Tn firm beliererin traditions, and
especially that Of the magic slippers" said Eva,
ono day. .,..,
"Be:auso both your wishes were realized"
said GGrty !; especially the first, which seemed
very Improbable ~
"YouNre traitor" cried Eva.
Z ..SOt at all,,'' was Gerty's reply. g | couldn't
help hearing your wishes that night, for was
mol asleep, as you supposed" w.
Ia The process Of time Allon and Gerty were (,
married, and little Eva, trusting and truc
hearted, went on her way with firm belief
In the magic slippers.