Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-07-21

the great glass-roofed place so crowded
with strangers. With her shawl-strap
i 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
fellow-travelers might have understood
the Gauss 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 of.
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 1
can't wonder-such a queer thing to
do"
''To dol" repeated the unfortunate
young ladyto herself. elias the woman
any feelingp Does she think l 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 q
crowd of drivers gathering about her.
.'Have a cab? Coupe, Miss?"
She seized the most good-natured of
these drivers by the sleeve.
..I'll go 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.
81 have lost my shoes in the sleeping
car. l put them on the window sill,
and they fell out"
The driver shook his head sympa-
t%hetically.
"And l want you to drive me to the
hotel where my father isputting up. I
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 MI. Brandon" she said; and
away they drove again; but she had
made a mistake. Mi. Brandon was not
at the hotel.
"Well, where now, Miss?" asked the
driver, again at the door; but Belle was
helpless. The tears were streaming
down her cheeks.
81 can't rememhsr," she said. 81
can't remember. What shall 1 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.
''Not a cent" sobbed Belle.
"Did you keep your money in your
shoes?" satirically inquired the driver.
"No," sobbed Belle; ''the bag went,
too"
'sThen I'm beat out of my fare!'
said the driver. "Step out. if you
please. fyou wasn't a female I'd give
you in charge of an officer; for Ibelieve
you're a lying. Get out"
Belle obeyed; she hurried across the
sidewalk and stood in the friendly
shadow Of a high porch, sick with ter
ror. The shades of evening were de-
scendlng; people gazed at her curiously.
Never, in all her life, did Belle forget
the modification of that hour. Yes, a
whole long hour poor Belle stood in
that corner, on those little red stocking
feet, trying not to cry, and praying in
wardly for help.
s.No shoes on! No shoes on! No shoes
on!' people whispered, Or seemed to
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 a man, who not only
looked as the rest had done, but who
advanced and spoke:
madame" he said, in gentlemanly
accents, II see that you are in some
trouble. 1 have been watching you for
some time; and 1 hope you will excuse
me for addressing you. But is there
anything that l can do?"
The girl looked at him. He was a
young man, and rather handsome; but,
above all, he seemed kind. She told
him her story at once. He evidently
did not doubt it, as the cabman had
done.
"And, oh, sir" she said in conclusion.
show shall 1 find my father? What
shall Idop"
He looked at her more kindly than
before.
eff you will let me help you." he
said, '.you shall find yourself safe.
have a little sister out West, and [ will
do for you exactly what 1 would wish
some other fellow would do for her.
You must have some shoes at once
will leave you in the janitor's office, and
find some for you. Then we will find Mr..
Brandon, if we go to every hotel in the
city. l assure you we will find him, ii
you are sure he is at a hotel"
'Oh, yes,' said Belle. feeling greatly
comforted. y
She sat in a little room, hung about
with keys and riddled with speaking
tubaS for como t;p,o. ond how NOV, e..S