Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1890-12-18
A MODERN CINDERELLA.
How She Lost Her Slipper and the
Result That Followed.

Result That Followed.
1t was perfectly patent to Lucia Cald-
wells maid that her mistress was not
only spending a much longer time than
usual over her toilet. hut that she was
also anxious to create an impression.
In the first place, she was not sure
what gown was the most becoming. and
had them all laid out before her, until
the dainty boudoir was as full of color
as garden bouquet and the long glass
es reflected heaps of laces like drifts of
snow, airy, cloud-like gossamers and
shining silks.
She held up first Nile green.
MA foi,' exclaimed the maid; show
It sets off your eyes. Blue eyes and
black lashes are -"
But Lucia had flung away tho unsat-
isfactory gown. This time it was with a
pink crepe-de-chine that she stood be-
fore the mirror.
THE very color of your cheeks-so
like rose leaf'--and again Antoinette' S
adulations were UNDECIDED.
Perhaps this would please MAIDEN
oiselle better-yellow is the color black
hair always -
Here, Antoinette, take them away
leave the while tulle-that is always
becoming" and Lucia stood surveying
the gown with critical look.
You think SOP" she asked, appealing
to the maid, who had returned to help
her dress.
st is perfect; mademoiselle is d dream
in white"
But now Antoinette's mind was busy
with speculations.
This was to be only dinner party,
one of the last of the season, and she
had come to the conclusion. after talk
ing with Mr.. Jefferson's valet, that Luz
eia's heart was utterly fancy free-as
safe and sound as the day she made her
debut in society-and, more than that,
as the season drew to it's close, her mis-
tress had grown Indifferent to the gave
ties that had never proved particularly
Intoxicating.
Then, too in spite of its being Lucia s
second season, she was as undisputed a
belle as on her first night. Antoinette
was determined to fathom the mystery.
After the task of dressing was over,
Lucia trailed back and forth before the
long pier glass, then stood with her
shapely head little on one side, very
we'll pleased by the reflection.
She looked at her soft hair and rear
ranged the curling locks-she picked
the cascade of lace at her corsage, then
patted it--she pushe back the draper
les and with little movement settled
herself in her gown, then thrust out
the small-toed dainty slipper with
it's rosette, it's shining buckle and
high heel-certainly she was looking
very we'll, and she walked back and
forth waving her fan, feeling withal q
thrill of satisfaction
James has been walking the horses VI
and down for many minutes prompted
Antoinette, as she put the white silk
and down-trimmed cloak over Lucia's
fair shoulders, land your mamma
wishes you to come soon, Immediately
lest you are not in early time for the
dinner"
''Yes," Lucia absently answered, tax
ing last long glance at the reflection il
the mirror. And as she entered Mrs
Pickering's brilliant halls she felt 6
sharp, sudden pang lest he should not
be there.
'sHe" was in town she knew, for he
had left cards for her and her mother
while they were out that afternoon; be
sides, he had arrived in New York the
week before-indeed it was really fol
him that the dinner was given.
How much she had heard about him
for he was her cousin Dicks chum in
college, and travelling companion abroad
If she had not missed the steamer she
would have seen Mr.. Lawrence at Dicks
commencement
She wondered if he looked like his
picture-that was certainly handsome
enough to please the most fastidiou>
mind.
1t was only in rare moments that she
acknowledged, even to herself, that She
had cherished a decidedly sentimental
admiration for that face from a very
tender age.
Mrs. Caldwell and Lucia were little
late when they walked across the draw
ing-room to be received by Mrs. Picker
ing. Dinner was to be served at seven
and the hands of the clock in the hal
pointed at ten minutes past that hour.
NV dear Mrs. Pickering" murmureC
Mrs. Caldwell, you really must pardon
us-are we your last gueSts?-but We
were unfortunately delayed a little"
After Mrs Pickering had received he
guests she turned to n tall, blonde mar
standing near and asked him to takC
Lucia out to dinner.
II dare say you and Miss Caldwell al
ready feel like old friends after so Ions
an acquaintance with Dick"--and the.
all moved toward the dining-room.
Lucia had swept Mr.. Lawrence from
head to feet with direct yet swift
glance. and had found him. indeed
far handsomer than the various repre-
sensations her cousin had made of him
He was tall. strong and manly looking
with inc head, deep blue eyes, rathe
a heavy chin and light mustache.
His face lighted up wonderfully whe1
he smiled, otherwise it was rattle
sleepy-looking, not unbecomingly SC
but enough to suggest he was no movie
in the world. and there was not over
much to interest him nor impress him.
He had heard great deal abou
Lucia-she was certainly very charming
to look at-he, too, had seen her DICT