Evening journal., 1897-03-03
CHANGED SHOES.

Young Viscount Petersfeld was re-
markable for three things, his intense
bashfulness, his indecision of character
and his abnormally small hands and
feet. On the latter he particularly
prided himself.
He was the most eligible Of bachelors
Equally, Of course, he was being ever
lastingly stalled by husband hungry
mammas and daughters. But they could
make nothing of him. Their most
sirenic efforts simply frightened him.
But exemption was impossible. He
was young, single, viscount. He had
$125, 600 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 Petersfeld had con-
tracted a 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 to
jump up in Difference to the 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-phewl Certainly they were
abominably tight They seemed to
throw him forward ON 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 We're being tortured in 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 We're Mabel Wentwarps.
Then he saw how it was. An unin
territorial 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 the gentlemen We're still smok
ing their cigarettes; then to hurry u
stairs to his bedroom and exchange tn
satins for a second pair Of pump:
which he had fortunately brought wit
him
Having decided on this line of action
he murmured-with a very red face
few excuses and apologies TO his host
and then performed a skillful and speed
exit with so much rapidity rs TO max
it impossible for tho black satins to b
seen.
Now, as he passed with rapid an
nervous stealth along the corridor whic
led to his room, he happened to motto
that one of the bedroom doors on til
way stood open. He recognized who:
room it was 1t was Mabel Wentwarp'
In an instant he had popped them safel
inside the door of her room and W;
proceeding with lighter heart towm
his own apartment at the end of Il
passage.
On reaching his own room he turnC
up the gas and was about to hunt OF
his second pair Of pumps from a Gu
board when his eyes fell upon his be
pair-the pair which Mabel Wentwai
had Notwithstanding IN CO.
epicuous position by his dressing tabl
He saw how it was. Miss Mabel, ha
ing discovered her mistake. had had q
prompmess and delicacy TO repla
them thus in his room. TWAS certain
most tactful and considerate of her.
When they Joined the ladies, Lo
Petersield still, however, felt rath
nervous in case any Of the fair CUES
might have shared Miss Mabel's disco
cry about the exchange Of shoes. Il
he was soon set free from anxiety
this point by Miss Wentwarp herse
who, taking the opportunity to approa
him as he stood for a moment aloi
murmured, with IA blushing, downci
look:
''Ifound ont our little mistake, LC
Petersfeld, and at once restored yc
property to your room. Shl No c
knows anything about it. Ahl'' (tui
ing her eyes down upon his varnisI
tOcs). L see that you nave already
claimed your ownw
At that moment Julia ISLANDERS
swooped down upon her prey and
his great annoyance forcibly anne,
him for the rest of the evening
Next morning after breakfast the
fortunate viscount noticed that this p
sistent young lady was still lowering
the pounce He evaded her at the
pense Of some skill, and slipped of il
the dampest and most secluded port
Of the garden to enjoy bis cigar alone
Mabel Wentwarp startled him by s
denly appearing at his side. Her +
was white and distressfuL Her eyes,
noticed, where bright with unshed tel
"Oh, Lord Peteisfcld, She exclei
ed, forgive my intrusion, but 5
you come out, and have followed y
because l--l--haye something +
must tell you
"I-I-uust there is nothing
inatterr' remarked his lordship, 10