West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-09-19

touu. III ever there was "A Cinderella
on earth, is 1. l wish"
"What do you wish, my dearin said
voice behind her; and Effie turned her
head toward the door with a little
scream, and there stood tiny little old
lady, not exactly I'm red cloak, but
certainly in red shawl, which nearly
covered her.
What is il you wish so much, Effie9r
asked the old woman.
"Oh, was wishing could 90 TO the
Goodwoods' party" said Effie, bursting
into q little laugh. ''Do come in, Mrs.
Percy. l really thought you were my
fairy god-mother at first. Did YOU come
down the chimneyln
'1ou whati" asked Mrs. Percy. 81
didn't scare you, did /? / found Dinah
mt the kitchen door, and rau in that
way. But what shame IL was for the
Goodwoods not TO ask you TO their party.
know Mrs. Mervin and the other girls
are there. | saw them 20 IN"
"Oh, they asked me" said Effic.
"They sent me such nice little note.
And wanted TO 20, but my step-mother
said / mustn't. She always thinks me
too young for any amusement. I'm only
old enough TO work
That's shame" said Mrs. Percy.
"But why didn't you say YOU would 90?
If it was your own mother, that would
he different; but we've all noticed how
you are kept down, aud we're all pro-
voked about it. Why shouldn't YOU
have a little funl You're just the right
age for it."
II think so myself, said Efiie. 'But
hadn't any dress, and never have any
money. Papa left me nothing, you
know"
"Your pa' Well, your poor pa is
dead, said Mrs. Percy. "But see here.
Eifie, you shall go to the party if you
like"
at is my fairy god-mother," said
Efie.
"What arc you talking about, childi"
cried the old lady. "But Just wait
moment. My niece is at our house with
her daughter, and she has great trunk
full of the prettiest things DO your hair.
and I'll bring you all you want 10 wear. "
"}ut | shan't dare to go" said Effic.
"Ill take you" said Mrs. Percy.
dauntlessly.
Away she went, and Efic, trembling
at her own temerity, brushed her hair
into tbeloveliest curls ever seen, and i'm
the shortest possible space of time. Back
came Mrs. Percy with pretty dress of
pale blue silk, white gloves and slippers,
and Just the prettiest bunch of blush
rosebuds.
Mrs, Percy made deft tiring-woman.
and in few moments Eflie stood before
the parlor mirror admiriug herself in her
new attire, which feed as though made
for her.
The slippers are little too large, "
said Mrs. Percy, "but that can't be
helped. Now I've got my own little
pony carriage at the door, and I'll drive
you over. Wrap yourself up well, and
mind you are ready to come home at
twelve o'clock, forI shall be at the door.
Now kiss me"
"You dear angel of a god-mother!"
cried Effic.
"Dcar me, wish had been, but I
wasn't you know" said Mrs. Percy.
"What do you meant"
THAT Pm Cinderella in actual fact"
cried Eflie. you've made coach out
of pumpkin, tool"
cinderella? oh, that's fairy taIc.
/ remember something Of it. But she
had glass slippers" said Mrs. Percy.
Dear, dear! and n step-mother, too. I
begin 60 understand"
Then she hurried Effie into the little
pony carriage, and away they drove.
"You must go and speak to Mrs.
Goodwood first, " said Mrs. Percy; ''and
that's oil. I've no doubt you'll be taken
care OF after that"
81 expect TO be, " said Efie, ruefully.
81 wonder what my step.mother will
say"
WHO is that young lady who looks so
like EfieT whispered Mrs. Merviu to
Amanda.
81 should think it was Efie," said
Amanda. "Only there is nothing in the
house anything like what she has on"
"And she's prettier than Efie," said
Mrs. Mervin. "But how like"
'Mr. Goodwood is going to dance with
her, i" said Amanda.
Indeed, Leslie Goodwood was NJ tbe
moment leading Efie to her place in
quadrillc.
"Thats another proof it can't be she"
said Mrs. Mervin. "Eme doesn't
dance"
But Efie had bad lessons in those
echooldays Of which her step-mother
knew nothing. And she had sense Of
time and grace Of motion that made
dancing easy TO her
She saw her step-mOther and sisters
and saw they did not recognize her.
And she enjoyed the fun of the position
greatly. She was altogether happy; and
80, also, seemed Leslie GoodwOod, who
paid her ms much attention as a host
might pay to one lady, who waited on
her 70 supper and who was again dancing
with her when the clock which hung i'm
the hall struck twelve.
rs it really twelve o'clockl" said Ef-
nc. "Thon / must 20. Some one is 10
come to drive me homo just al twelve"
~ om so sorry. But you must let INC
sec you 10 the carriage, " said Leslie.
And then Efic got her wraps, and
Leslie went down stairs with her, and
there was the pony carriage, and kind
independent Mrs Percy, and Leslie
handed her in but as she sprang into the
carriaUo the oddoat fhines he,,,,rf,rI