The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-01-02

porch. McMaster passed through it,
taking his hat; his overcoat had not
been removed.
Il will return, Cinderella The
words sounded like the registering
of VOW.
1t was quite two months later when
McNaster again stood on Cinderella's
doorstep, for by no other name did
he know her.
There was not sound of life about
the place. The owners were out west,
so McMaster learned.
The witchery of spring fell on the
world. June came, July, August, and
always the picture of this one girl
in the background of the mans con-
seriousness.
81 am fool" he declared to him
self over and over. 81 will forget
her!" But he never did.
And because words in Cinderella's
own soft voice repeated themselves
to him so often, he began his search
for her. Not that he acknowledged
it to himself. He tried to delude him
self with the thought that he needed
change; that he was restless, irrita-
BILE, with nerves unstrung.
Wherever tourists were to be found
he followed in his whimsical pursuit.
In any place he might find her. He
haunted picture galleries, fingered in
curio shops, wandered in unfrequent-
ed ways and bored himself at fash
ionable watering places.
September found him at the sea-
shore-a dance was on for the night.
McMaster felt no surprise at sight
of her in the ballroom, later he came
upon her in a little reception-room.
She was alone.
"Cinderella," he spoke, joyously.
She looked beyond him at the man
bringing her an ice and said:
Take me to my husband; L am
tired"
McMaster made his way from the
room. Her husband! There was only
fierce Indignation in his heart-a
| longing to be free from love that
was, and could only be misery.
He went to his room and packed
his belongings.
As he came down the hotel corridor
woman approached him.
She glanced at him, recognized
him, held out both her hands, then
drew back.
! McMaster bowed gravely.
She lifted the torn chiffon and made
him a sweeping, laughing bow. ''Sir
Prince" she said, 'have you forgotten
poor Cinderella?"
McMaster held out his hand and
said good-by.
81 did not know you were here
and you are going away?" The girls
heart was in the cry-it frightened
her into conventional phraseology.
rs it business or something more
serious?" she asked.
McMaster forgot the rebuff re-
ceived; forgot everything but that
she stood there, that, in some dim
way, fate had given her to him, if
only for moment.
He spoke with a quick, breathless
resolve: 1T is something more Sc
rious."
He led her to a little balcony that
hung over the water.
There the night, the stars and Sleep
ing waters flung spell of witchery.
You know why I 60"
''Why do you go?" she asked.
Because L love you'll" His voice
was rough.
"Then stay!"
For that reason l go!"
"You love me, but honor holds you
elsewhere"
Honor bids me go. That love
should be an ignominy in the telling!
You are mine! Since that white night
you have been mine Tonight, in
the dance, you drifted towards me
l held out my arms to you-in the
eption-room; you looked into my
eyes and beyond me and asked the
man with you to take you to your
husband. You ask why 1 go!"
She leaned her sweet young body
against him; she slipped her fingers
into his; her eyes were brighter than
the stars above as she said:
"The dear, foolish prince to go
searching over the world for Gin
derella, and then, if fate had not
stepped in, to lose her"
"Cinderella!" he made GESTURE of
despair.
STAY" she stood little from
him, sit was not in the pink gown.
My cousin Edith, who is marvelously
like me, wears pink tonight"
But his starved arms had closed
about her and his lips were on hers.