Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-04-24
CINDERELLA
BY
sHRE LINDSAY COLEMAN.


top coat and hat and entered the IL
brary.
DO you wish to see my father?"
asked thesoecupant, with a pretense at
courage denied by frightened eyes.
"No;" his eyes rested on the fair
young face with its rich color that be-
longs only TO first, sweet youth.
ii you do not want to see my father,
whom would you ike TO see?' There
was tinge Of haughtinessin the girls
voice.
And if I should tell you, my pretty
maid?"
She turned on the light; everything
was golden and bright and rich.
lie wondered why a frightened look
lurked in the gray depths Of her eyes.
She was absurdiy young, almost a
child, but there was no reason why
they should not sit down and talk
amiably until their friends put in an
appearance.
"Unless you state your business"
the girl spoke haughtily, Il must ask
you to leave"
"Leaye Jack HOLSTERS house" in
/ dignantly.
ooh, you are a friend of theirs?
Father and have the house rented
McMaster crossed the room to where
the girl stood, and said: my train is
delayed for hours. Jack and his wife
are old friends. You will pardon my
goodnight"
"Wil YOU not forgive me and take
tea with us2' the girl asked, with
charming hospitality.
The man who hesitates, stays. Nc
Masters, who had passed unscathed
through a dozen seasons. felt tug az
his heart strings when the cir. lifted
/ her gray eyes 90 his.
Father isu'tcoming to tea; has gone
out of town, aud won't be home until
| midnight" the girl said, with dismay,
] looking at q note that had been given
| her. Gle promised to take me to the
dance to-night-the best dance Of the
season"
/ Let's co. McMasters leaned to-
ward her; there was an eager note in
his voice.
/ Il would love it, In the girls voice
a lingering regret.
81 viii send your father the family
record. l viii satisfy him as to my re-
spectability. Comets but an hour
out Of our lives!'
Have you seen a pumpkin lying
around?" she asked, demurely, and
have the little mice turned to milk
white steeds?"
| That dance! The lights, the flowers
the music, the glitter Of jewels, the
fash OF bright eyes the CLEAN Of white
shoulders. McMaster's arm encircled
the girlish form. They foated down
the long room. The touch of her white
cool fingers; the perfume Of her hair'
Was IL music. was il madness-ih his
sweet strenuous " hirlwind of thought
i that possessed him? She was but
child he told himself. The music
tbrobbed in the hall. II made him
think Of his old dreams; he seemed tc
feel those dreams pressing with spec
tral softness against his side. How
red the lips behind the mask; how fan
The brow under the shadowy hair!
When the dance was done il seemed
AZ though they had been friends
through long and happy years. Anc
afterwards came the dash home over
the snow to the accompaniment OF
musical. jingling bells.
In the library the lights burned low
but the freight leaped and sparkleo
behind the fire dogs The girl slipped
from her furs and stood, one foot OF
the fender, looking down into the ire
heart. How sweet She wasl Her soft
rirlish laughter cut the stiffness Of tbs
room. one. two, three-the clock told
off the hours mp II.
"Cinderella"-i was part Of the en-
cbsntment-"I must 60" McMaster
voice was full Of regret.
The pretty smiling face took on
look of CONSERVATION. "The front
door is being opened" she whispered
"what will we do! Father Will never
understand"
"Run." he said: know the house
She vanished like a wrath.
The library door led on to the
} porch. McNlaster passed through u
taking his hat; his overcoat had not
, been removed.
Il viii return. Cinderella" The
, words sounded like the registering
of a vow.
, It was quite two months later wher
IMcMaster again stood on Cinderella
, doorstep. for by no other name die
, he know her
There was not a sound Of life about
} the Mace. The owners were out west
! 20 NcMaster learned.
, The witchery of spring fell on Tho
, world. June came, July, August, anC
! always the picture Of this one Cir
! n the background Of the mans con
} sciousness.
II ann a fool" he declared to him
|, self over and over. Il will forget
! herl" But he never did.
And because words in Cinderella''