The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-10-24
A Self Imposed Cinderella
Copyright, 1902, by W. R. Hearst,


, Yes, and she looks dreadfully untidy
tonight-her waist gap in the back and
her hair is done SO unbecomingly. She
doesn't seem to care at ALL" '
After dinner Bess n Julia Joined a
jolly party of young people starting for a
dance. Madeline refused to go. She felt
certain she had been asked merely for
| courtesy's sake. When she saw them all
depart. laughing and chatting, quite con.
tent without her, she was doubly certain,
Aunt August found her, some moments
later, sitting alone on the bluff overlook
ing the lake.
I want to talk to you, Madeline she
said, taking a seat beside her niece.
YES" said Madeline. She knew what
was coming.
"Of course, I saw why you were so late
for dinner. I always understand. When
are you going to take my advice, Made
line? Can't you see that you're spelling
timer
The girl sighed. I've done it so long
now that they demand it Of me. I cannot
refuse them; it would seem unkind."
Have you thought of your
unkindness to yourself?"
There was silence.
Your martyrdom is ~self-ilnposed. You
are Cinderella by your own verdict. And
no kind fairy godmother Is ever coming
with her wand to effect a magic trans
formation in you life. You are your own
fairy godmother. BY your own word and
your own will you must break down these
barriers; must assert your right to happi-
ness and youthful enjoyments. Why,
you've grown so set in your
unselfishness, SO accustomed to ignoring
your own appearance, that you've almost
fnrontfnr hon x-o.,v
you once were-and can yet be-"
1t proved to be the most emphatic talk
Aunt Augusta had given her. And it had
it's effect.
The change was apparent even on the
Following day. Madeline was not too ag-
gressive at first, however. She had to try
her wings awhile.
Then confidence came and with it a
more natural assertion Of independence.
or course Bess and Julia 'fussed"-even
worse than before, because of Madeline's
seeming indifference to their demands.
But they soon grew accustomed to the
new condition and displayed amazing ap-
tltcdo in, place Of their former helpless
ness. p
Even they did not realize the wonderful
change in Madeline herself, however.
ones own family is usually the last to
notice such things.
oueoAoSAS sdW lue u1leTenCe ana mar
veled. What had come over the girl? She
was getting to be actually beautiful.
And now the arrival at the beach of one
Larry Winchester set the maidens and
their mammas in a futter. Not only did
the fact Of a scarcity in eligibles make his
appearance welcome, but the certainty Of
his beeing-in match making parlance-a
good catch was the signal for immeoIate
action in the matter Of batting matrimo-
NAL fishing apparatus.
Bess and Julia took more pains thai
ever when they dressed and were the very
essence Of sugared ~amtability.
But both forgot to be sweet-natured
when the astounding truth burst upon
them that Winchester preferred Made
lines society to theirs.
Madeline, of all others! The thought of
her as a rival was amusing and bitter at
once.
When the engagement became known
the discounted sisters thought best to be
friendly. And on the night Of the we'd
oing-1our months later-well, there never
was such a struggling and clamoring to
be of use to a bride as Bess and Julia ex-
hibited toward the radiant Madeline.
Aunt Augusta looked on and smiled,
Things are as they should be-" she said,