Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1883-09-29
BELLE BRAND0N'S BOOTS.
BY MARY KYLE DALLAS.

The whistle blew, and the bell RAM
adieux were uttered, and the train wi
heard to shrek its way along In the di
lance and was seen far away, like
queer sort of serpent, winding about Il
hills.
Belle felt lonely at first, and cried
little. Then she began to cheer up an
look at the passengers and watch the
doings, and laughed at most of thel
internally, schoolgirl fashion. Sll
slept comfortably that night in her con
partment, and became by morning quit
an old traveller and and as We hav
not time to describe her journey we wi
say lat it passed over pleasantly, an
that as the evening approached on whic
the train was to arrive in New York sh
never felt iu better spirits. She ha'
made herself as spruce AZ possible; am
now she took her travelling bag into he
hand to arrange it, for no maiden lad,
lady was ever 30 particular about he
small possessions. Her purse wa- IL
the bag, of course, her handkerchief
and clean collar or two, a box o
jewelry, the book she had with her t,
read--you all know what 1t held. An(
there was little bottle of polish, wei
corked, and little sponge with which
to touch up her shoes before she left thu
cars. The shoes were high ties anC
easily taken off. In the privacy of tb,
Belle could do AZ sht
liked. She laid a newspaper on hel
lap, frightened the little toes of tht
pretty shoes and set them on the win
dow sill to dry her bag also stool
there. And now she wrapped the pa.
per about the sponge and bottle and
proceeded to throw them away, for she
could not re-cork the bottle sufficiently
well not to risk spelling her bag ifshe
restored it to its place there.
Ro!lingall inro little ball she threw
it through the window. AS any boy
would have prophesied, it hit the handle
of the bag, the bag tottered, struck
against the shoes, and the next second
the window sill was clear. Belle thrust
her head through the aperture; far In
the distance lay, beside the rails, three
black specks, which vanished al she
looked. Her bag with all her money
in it, and her only shoes. She WAS
going into New York like a beggar,
penniless and shoeless.
If her bag had not followed the ties
shecould have got into cab and driven
TO some shoemaker s, for to arrive at the
hotel in stocking feet would be dreadful
but, as 1t was, that modification must
be faced. She would call a cab and tell
The driver-what
ooh, dear Oh, dear Oh, dear !!
don't remember the name of papa's
hotel p moaned Belle, wringing her
hands. "The card it il written on is in
hat horrible bag"
The climax had arr, ed. Here she
was rushing Into New York alone, not
only penniless and shoeleSs, but home.
ess. She did not know where her faith
Or was to be found. She had no other
friend in the city.
She could not go back to Chicago, be-
,ause she had no ticket-no money to
)uy one She could not telegraph to
Ter father, addressing him at /" don't
sno& where MOTEL" She could write
o Miss Rock but where should she
tay" What should she do mean while?
sven if they would give hsr pen, ink
md paper, and let her sit in The depot,
he might starve TO death.
shall go crazy" sail poor Belle,
vringing her hands. :" certainly
ball go crazy"
Who can wonder that she said so?
Howeve', there was nothing for it but
o ali ght when the depot was reached
he great glass rooted place 80 crowded
With strangers. With her shawl.strap
n her hand she hurried into the walt
ny room and sat down on a bench.
During this short progress she was
tared at a. though she had been jun
10 or the living skeleton. The mystery
ttached TO those little red stockings
eemed to be really alarming. Her fell
Dw-travelers might have understood
he cause of a hatless head. lmagiDa-
ion might have pictured q strong
raught and an open window ; but it
vas not possible to comprehend shoeless
oct. Shoes do not blow of.
Some of the old ladies' fioWned on her
$ a very improper person. Some
Dung ones giggled. A little girl walk
d backward and stared into her face
nth open mouth and round eyes and
or mother said
"Stop, Ann Maria though can't
queer thing to do"
"T0 do" repeated the unfortunate
Dung lady to herself. Has the
,oman any feeling? Does she think
am doing this dreadful thing ON pur-
Ose %
She made her way to the exit.
The street was full of people, OF cabs,
caches, wagons, cars.
Have II carriage, Miss" howled a
rowd of drivers gathering about her.
Have n cab? Coupe, Miss %
She seized the most gOod.natured Of
lese drivers by the the sleeve.
"Pll 60 with you," she said.
Smiling triumphantly upon his rivals,
G led her toward his vehicle
81 want to speak to you," she said.
| want to tell you"
She was covered with confusion, and
er face grew red as she spoke.
" | have lost my shoes in the sleeping
ar. put them on the window sill, and
ley fell out"
The driver shook his head sympatheti-
ally.
"And want you to drive me to the
otel where my father is putting up.
cannot this minute rememb Der, but
rive out of this crowd to where 1t is
uieter, and III recall the name"
Yes Miss" he said, and mounted
Is box and drove into Madison Ave-
ne. There he descended and stood
nee more at the door.
" Tell me the names of some hotels,
he said.