Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1901-11-15


discussing the relative merits Of white
'atin and suede patent leather. Sue.
1ho was of a practical turn of mind.
,lvised the latter.
Gracious me. you little hayseed.
couldn't wear black slippers with
my white gown. They must be white
either satin or suede. Come, let us
90 in; can only tell by trying them
on"
Turning hurriedly, they preci1itated
themselves forcibly against a man
eho had been gazing deiectedly into
he neighboring window at the rows
ii manly boots and shoes. More es-
lecially were his eyes directed toward
re dancing pumps-not that he ad-
nired them. nor even wished to buy
hem; but, nevertheless. fred by a
loble resolve. he turned to enter. Just
as the two girls finished their little
dialogue, which he partially overheard.
rwo pairs Of eyes flashed Indignantly
nto his. Bees brown ones were mild
Or than the blue ones of the little
iayseed,"
Great. clumsy thing! Couldn't he
COX where he was going?'
Why. Sue; it was as much our fault
as his
Now the man was neither great nor
lumsy, however much he hoped to
re the former in the future and had
overcome the latter in his past. Fur
.hermore. the glimpse he had had Of
The brown eyes gave impetus to his
issolve Of purchasing pair of patent
feathers for the cotillion to which ne
vas going, simply to please his friend,
charlie Graham. Hence he ordered
md tried on the much despised arti-
lies Of attire: in the meantime, cast
ng furtive glanees at the purchaser
Of the dainty pair Of white suedes.
Then the two. without a backward
COX. hurried away to Beatrice Har-
oe's home on the Heights, leaving the
Jerk politely assuring them that the
parcel would be sent without delay
hat he would attend to 1t himself. No
sooner had they left the store than
The faithless creature turned them over
to the clerk who was waiting on the
purchaser Of the patent feathers, and
he, too, hurried away, for little din
uer at the restaurant with his best
Erl was not to be disturbed for any
white suedes in the world.
Half-past eight was sounding by the
EIarloes big hall clock, and upstairs
The two girls were arraylng them
selves to the distraetioys which seeks
70 KILL Marie" called Beatrice, to
her long suffering maid. have my
slippers come? Dear me, what shall
dor
For the fifth time, Marie descended
In quest Of the vagrant slippers, and
this time returned smiling, with the
tong-awaited box.
open them now and let me put
them on awhile and ease them little
before go" said Bee.
SO Marie opened the box. and they
beheld pair of manly patent leath-
sTs, slim and graceful. 1t is true, but
never intended for Beatrice's tinyfeet.
The two girls surveyed each other in
blank dismay. then solemnly and for
sibly there came from Sue the single
syllable "Gee!"
What shall I do?" cried Beatrice.
distractedly. That wretched clerk,
after all his promises, to make such
mistake. | can't go, that's all; l
haven't another decent pair"
mot gol' exclaimed Sue, after all
my hopes for weeks on this party. Fly,
Marie-ly and bring up some bread
crumbs-stale ones. Where are all
your old slippers, Bee? Well choose
the best looking ones and have them
cleaned in the shake Of avery quick
ly. I mean primly. for Susan was he
rolcally striving to drop all the slang
phrases which her life on a western
ranch had cultivated.
Out of various boxes an assortment
of foot-gear was produced and sur
geyed by its detected owner She i'm
mediately pounced upon a pair of
white suedes not so bad, after all.
and vigorously set herself to work
with the bread crumbs. with such good
( results that a fairly presentable pair
Of slippers was produced.
"You extravagant girl" she laughed.
IF you had been used. as have. to
making one pair do till it is done, you
would use up plenty of stale bread.
Your dress is so long they'll never
show: besides, who would suspect Miss
Harlce. who has a new pair for every
party. if she likes, to be wearing old
ones. They'll never think of looking. .
"Oh. you dear little Hay" laughed
Beatrice you are such comfort. We
must hurry, it would not do to be late
when have to introduce all your
partner"
"Hayseeds have their little mission
in the world, after all, Ell, Honey
Bee?" quoth Sue.
Il never would have gotten of TO
this eotillion If 1t hadn't been for you.
that's certain" she answered. as the
two went gayly down stairs. leaving
the patent feathers, the ignominious
cause Of all the trouble, lying forgot
ten on the floor.
Scratch. scratch, went the pen, and
sheet after sheet Of manuscript fut-
tered to the floor. The medical stu
dents WHO were to be RECALLED on the
morrow with Dr. John Meredith's ad-
dress on anatomy were not to be en-
WED, if length were not Offset by
brilliancy
Finally the toes are reached. Surely
he must be nearing the end. If not the
! end. the mention of his extremities
started a train Of thought utterly for
eign to the subject in hand, however.
With a sigh he dropped his pen and
turned in his chair. Drawing the arm
of skeleton hanging near him affec-
tionately over his shoulder, with the
thumb-bone he thoughtfully prodded
the tobacco in his pipe. We'll, Boni-
ia, old girl. l suppose it's about time
| stopped"
The person addressed was accus-
toned to his condolences, and. not be-
ing expected to be communicative, pre-
served a discreet silence. She was
always introduced to his friends as