Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1897-02-19
NHED SHOES.

"a Ah{Attf tEfFE 1|i|sEH NIH 1UfrNff
bAsisftiinesS, nh ndSoiai0n % cilafa18of
and his abuorrAally small hands and
feet. On the latter he particularly
Nprided himself.
He was the most eligible of bachelors.
Equally, Of course, he was being ever
lastingly stallked by husband hungry
mammas and daughters. But they could
make nothing Of him. Their most
sirenic efforts simply frightened hin.
But exemption was impossible. He
was young. SINGLE viscount. He had
1875, 900 year.
One autumn, three or four years ago,
Lord Petersfield went down into SUSSEX
to stay with his friends the Wentwarps.
at Wentwarp hall. very fine old coun-
try seat.
For one thing, they understood his
character and did not worry him with
excessive hospitality. And then, for
another. the daughters Of the house,
Mabel and Maud-very pretty girls,
too, by the way--did not run after him
or make eyes at him. They were simply
friendly and cordial with him.
Now Viscount Petersfield had con-
tracted deplorable habit Of easing his
pinched toes by kicking off his pumps
during the progress OF dinner and only
resuming them just before he had &c
jump up in Difference to tho rising OF
the ladies.
He was rather sorry when he saw
Lady Wentwarp preparing to make the
signal, and he had to feel for his vacant
pumps. He found them and got them
on In time-phewi Certainly they were
abominably Tight They seemed to
throw him forward OH his toes In a
way to which he was not accustomed.
Only as the last fair diner swept past
him, on her way out, did he realize that
his toes were being tortured in u pair OF
lady's shoes.
They were high heeled, of black satin,
| with large rosettes and silver buckles.
He had no difficulty In recognizing
them. They were Mabel Wentwarp's.
Then he saw how 1t was. An unin
| tentional exchange. The young lady
must have kicked off her shoes also, and
meaning TO resume them, have un
knowingly resumed his instead.
He decided that his best course WA
to slip away, on some pretext or other
while tho gentlemen were Still smok'
ing their cigarettes; then TO hurry al
stairs to his bedroom and exchange TN
satins for second pair OF pumps
which he had. fortunately Drought WIN
him.
Having decided on this line Of action
| he murmured--with very red facc-i
few excuses and apologies TO ms most
and then performed skilliul ana speedy
exit with 30 much rapidity M to MAKE
IT impossible for the black satins to b.
seen.
Now, as he passed with rapid ant
nervous stealth along tho corridor which
led TO his room, he happened to hotic'
that one OF tho bedroom doors on TN
way stood open lie recognized whos'
room it was IL was mabel Wentwarps
In an instant no had popped them snfel,
inside the door OF her room ana wa
| proceeding with iiBhter heart TOWARD
his own apartment ut tho end or tn
| passage.
On reaching his own room no turned
up the gas and was about to hunt GU
his second pair OF pumps from II cup
board when his eyes fell upon his bes
| pair--the pair which Mabel Wentwarl
had MISUNDERSTANDING In con
| spicuous position by his dressing table
He saw how 1t was. Miss Mabel, hav
ing discovered her mistake. had had tn
| promptness and delicacy to replac
them thus in his room. IL was certain.
most tactful and considerate OF her.
| When they Joined tho ladies', Lor
Petersfield still, however, Ieit rathe
nervous In case any OF the fair guest
might have shared Miss Mabel's discov
cry about the exchange OF shoes bu
ne was soon set free from anxiety o
this point by Miss Wentwarp herself
whos taking the opportunity 70 approac
him as he stood for o moment alone
murmured, with blushing' downc@
look:
found out our little mistake, Lor
Petersfield, and at once restored you
properly 20 your room. oni no Oh
anows anythlnB apout ~ AM uurn
ing ner eyes down upon ms varh,sn -
claimed your ownP'
Az that moment Julia Slanderso
gwooped down upon her prey and (
his great annoyance forcibly annexe
him for the rest Of the evening.
Next morning after breakfast the III
fortunate viscount noticed that this pei
sistent young lady was still lowering o
the pounce. He eyaded her at the e,
pense Of some skill, and slipped of int
the dampest and most secluded porto
Of the garden to enjoy his cigar alone.
Mabel Wentwarp startled him by su,
denly appearing at his side. Her fac