Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1883-07-12

the great glass-roofed place SO crowded
with strangers. With her shawl-strap
in her hand she hurried into the waiting
room and sat down on a bench.
During this short progress she was
stared at as though she had been Jumbo
or the living skeleton. The mystery
attached to those little red stockings
seemed to be really alarming. Her
feIlow-travelers might have understood
the cause of a hatless head. Imagina-
ton might have pictured a strong
draught and an open window, but it
was not possible to comprehend shoeless
feet. Shoes do not blow off,
Some of the old ladies frowned on her
as a very improper person. Some
young ones giggled. A little girl walked
backward and stared into her face with
open mouth and round eyes; and her
mother said:
"Stop, Ann Maria; though really I
can't wonder-such queer thing to
ITO dol" repeated the unfortunate
young lady to herself. HAS the woman
any feeling? Does she think am doing
this dreadful thing on purpose?"
She made her way to the exit.
The street was full of people, of cabs,
coaches, wagons, cars.
''Have a carriage, Miss?' howled a
crowd of drivers gathering about her.
''Have cab? Coupe, Miss?"
She seized the most good-natured of
these drivers by the sleeve.
'1'Ll 60 with you" she said.
Smiling triumphantly upon his rivals,
he led her toward his vehicle.
81 want to speak to you," she said.
81 want to tell you.
She was covered with confusion, and
her face grew red as she spoke.
II have lost my shoes in the sleeping
car. put them on the window sill,
and they fell out. -
The driver shook his head sympa-
thetically.
''And 1 want you to drive me to the
hotel where my father isputting up. [
| cannot this minute remember, but drive
out of this crowd to where it is quieter,
and I'll recall the name"
eyes, Miss" he said, and mounted
his box and drove into Madison avenue
There he descended and stood once
more at the door.
''Tell me the names of some hotels, /"
she said.
He mentioned four or five. She was
sure the last was the right name, and
said so.
''Ask for Mr. Brandon" she said; and
away they drove again; but she had
made a mistake. MI Brandon was not
at the hotel.
''Weu, where now, MissP'' asked the
driver, again at the door; but Belle was
helpless. The tears were streaming
down her cheeks.
81 can't remember" she said. 81
can't remember. What shall do? My
shoes are gone; my trunk checks are
gone; my money is gone, and [ can't
find my father"
One item Of this horrible recapitula-
ton alone struck the driver.
.'Ha'n't you got no money!" he in
quired.
mot a cent sobbed Belle.
''Did you keep your money in your
shoes?" satirically inquired the driver.
mo" sobbed Belle; ''the bag went,
too.'
''Then I'm beat out of my farei''
said the driver. ''Step out, if you
please. If you wasn't female I'd give
you in charge of an officer; for Ibelieve
you're lying. Get out
Belle obeyed; she hurried across the
sidewalk and stood in the friendly
shadow of a high porch, sick with ten
rOr. The shades of evening were de-
scendIng; people gazed at her curiOusly
Never, in all her life, did Belle forge
the modification of that hour. Yes, {
whole long hour poor Belle stood IL
that corner, on those little red stocking
feet, trying not to cry, and praying in,
wardly for help.
''No shoes on! No shoes on! No shoe.
onn' people whispered, or seemed tt
whisper, as they passed. Everybody
looked at her suspiciously.
At last, from the door in the big
house against the wall of which she
stood, emerged man, who not only
looked as the rest had done, but WIZ
advanced and spoke:
Madame" he said, in gentlemanI
accents, Il see that you are in some
trouble. have been watching you TO,
some time; and 1 hope you will excus
me for addressing YOU But is Their,
anything that can doP''
The girl looked at him. He was
young man, and rather handsome; but
above all, he seemed kind. She told
him her story at once. He evidentl,
did not doubt it, as the cabman haC
done.
''And, oh, sir!'' she said in conclusion
show shall find my father? VIVA
shall do?''
He looked at her more kindly thai
before.
IF you will let me help you" b
said, ''you shall find yourself safe.
have little sister out West, and l vii
! do for you exactly what I would wis
. some other fellow would do for heI
, You must have some shoes at once.
! will leave you in the janitor's office, an
find some for you. Then we will find MI
Brandon, if we go to every hotel in tn
> city. l assure you we will find him,
, you are sure he is at hotel"
t ''Oh, yes," said Belle, feeling great
cOmforted.
! She sat in little room, hung aboU
4 with keys and riddled with speakin
i l. Z