The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-04
CINDERELLA
By C4LLY RYLAND

wonder Of the world at last" said Ell1nor,
this prince of perfection, Jack Stanhope.
But know I shall detest him. she added
viciously under her breath. HE is toe
handsome, too charming, too brilliant, toe
good, in fact, to be true. You have done
nothing but sing his praises to me since
came to New York, my dear LADY, and now
that I am honored with one Of his long
hoped for, much coveted invitations to a
dinner in his apartments I believe you
think I have fulfilled my destiny
wait till you meet him." murmured
Mrs Stanton, leading the way to the car
riage. -
Ellinor found her bad humor vanishing
before the charming welcome Of her host,
and she was ashamed Of the little thrill
of satisfaction which crept over her when
she found she was to have the seat OF
honor on his right.
Ellis rooms are really in excellent
TASTE" she admitted to herself as she
drew off her gloves His table appoint
ments are perfect" she commented a lit
tie later on. land he himself is all MIS-.
Stanton claims for him" she confessed
reluctantly as she noted his cleVerness at
keeping the conversational ball rolling and
the tact with which he put each one at his
or her best till even shy little Amy Grey
found herself confiding tinnid anecdote
to seven pairs of appreciative ears.
II acknowledge that toasts have be-
come a nuisance" Jack Stanhope said as
they rose from the table, but there is
just one little one I would like you all TO
drink standing before we adjourn to the
library for coffee and cigarettes. It Is,
TO Cinderella
"Have you gone back to your fairy tale
days. Jack?" asked 10 Gibson, putting
down his empty glass. Lets have the
1.-The story? Certainly, old man. III
give it to you with illustration" jack
answered as they followed the ladies into
the library This Is the illustration
have one?' And Ellinors breath quick
ened and her eyes grew wide with dis
may as she watched him take from a lit
tie recess small bronze slipper flied with
Turkish cigarettes and hold 1t up IN 1uli
view.
Il am going to tell you the story OF the
Cinderella who dropped this" he said.
smiling. land when am through l expect
to At it on Miss Grey, Miss Severn and
Miss Cary in turn. Only Mrs. Stanton IS
exempt, because she was htted lone ago
| by a better man..
| Ellinor grew pale and red by turns as
the story spun, itself out, and Jack wound
UP laughingly with, And I've vowed to
marry the girl who can wear it-n she
will have me-
1T is silly to be embarrassed by so
small a thing" she said to herself. But.
try as she might and did. the hot blood
rose guilty to her cheeks when, after
Miss Grey had timidly put forth short.
fat foot murmuring, ITS no use for me
even to try it on and Miss Severn
showed a slender toe a good two inches
beyond the little bronze slipper, Jack STAN
hope called out gayly, Your turn now.
Miss Cary"
II really she began helplessly turn
ing to Mrs. Stanton. But that lady was
obdurate. Perhaps this was what she had
anticipated.
Try it on she said, smiling. II. your
| chaperon, command it, And Ellinor
obediently but blushingly drew her foot
from her satin slipper amt slipped 1t easily
into the little bronze one.
4 For a moment there was little en-
barrassed pause. Then they all began to
talk at once, and Mrs. Stanton insisted
that her carriage was waiting and swept
Ellinor away before the girl was quite
sure that she should not have resented
Stanhope's unnecessary pressure Of her
hand or that she had heard him murmur
under his breath as he accepted Mrs.
Stanton's invitation to call. II have really
found her at last-my, Cinderella.
; It was in June that the good steamship
Lucania cast of her chains Of bondage and
swung her nozzle slowly oceanward.
From the near side Of her railing a
handsome pair srained their eyes to catch
! a glimpse Of figure on the pier.
There she is, God bless her! Wave
your handkerchief, Jack cried the girl
''Why, what are you doing. you absurd
boys?' For the man had fastened to tbs
top Of his stick a little bronze slipper and
:. was hosting it high above his head.
: "Only saluting her with my talisman,
dear little Cinderella" he answered tend
l erly as the pier swung out OF sight.