Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-03-14
a MODERN
CINDERELLA
tke Story Of The frircs Who Won
Her.

~ rushed nsGa S into the as ro s@p
where her mother sat. with flushed
cheeks and dishevelled hair Il have
sound two tickets for the ball to-mor-
-ow night-no name or anything on
them by which 1 could trace the
:wner-and oh. mamma, want TO use
Them; l want TO co.
But. my dear" expostulated Mrs.
Stuart. as LYDIA paused breathlessly.
how"
why. yoa KEEP. one or two of my
evening gowns. you know. mother.
and am sure the white one would do
beautifully. and Tom is still quite pre-
sentable in his dress suit. even If il
Is too highland here are the tickets.
80 why not? The only thing is that
{ want you TO go. too. darling" with
an emphatic kiss Oh he: mother
cheek.
Il should rot care in the least about
t. dear. and am afraid you will be dis
appointed"
c'Oh. l know l shall be i'm it. and rot
fit. but that does not matter l shall
enjoy watching it all. ard hearing the
-r1iusic. l may combine business with
pleasure. too. mamma. by getting some
new ideas for my sketches
I'VE will see what your brother says.
dear" Mrs. Stuart answered.
She would have been loath. indeed.
TO deprive this daughter of hers OF any
pleasure that might come in her way.
for in the reverses that had fallen on
the family since Mr.. Stuart's death.
,lia wife's greatest grief had been for
LYDIA. The disaster had come on the
very eve of her coming out. and ever
since they left their beautiful English
home and came to this big, seething.
Onely American city. LYDIA had worked
steadily at illustrating.
Now she was making Il success Mt it.
and there was also beginning to he
quite demand for her dainty water
color work.
When Tom came home LYDIA iTnmedi-
ltely pounccd upon him and related her
wonderful news. He readily agreed to
fake her. but he warned her that they
would not be likely 10 meet any OF
-sheir few acquaintance. ard that.
therefore. she would have to he sat
isfied to dance with him or be simply a
spectator ut her first ball.
The next day they scanned the
papers for some mention of the tickets.
out none appeared, so they felt justified
in using them.
mi Uh I In oil nj.
The white gown had required very lit
tie alteration. and as Mrs. s uart put
tho finishing touches 10 her daughter 5
toilet she felt very pardoEablc mother
~ pride in her.
How do You like mo. Tom:" LYDIA
asked. as she entered the little sit sng
:oom.
Tom whistlcd. ''Ey Jove"' he eiacr.
lated as lie gaZed ut the picture framed
in the doorway. She laughed happily.
taking innocent pleasure in his aston.
,shed admiration.
II knew You were Goo1-loOking.
LYDIA. but you're quite too stunning
o-night: isn't she. mother"
''She does look pretty. but we must
Tot turn this bright little head with
too much flattery. Remember it is
only for one night" Mrs. Stuart an.
swcred. n little sadly.
Tom wished that his OWN head were
a trifie steadier. 1t had been aching
most fearfully all day. but he would
not say word to mar Lyda's pleasure
to cause his mother any anxiety.
He felt rewarded for the effort he
had made when lie saw how much
LYDIA enjoyed her novel experience
and In listening 10 her bright com.
ments on the glittering panorama.
Pom feared that dancing might tax
his powers of endurance too far. and
was wondering what excuse to make
to LYDIA. when hearty voice ex
claimed: why. if il isn't Tom STU
art" And friend from their native
land shook him vigorously by the hand
LYDIA was soon gliding around Will
this friend of her childhood. Sh,
naively explained TO him how they
happened 20 he ut the ball. so he tool
great pains 10 Introduce his friends
and after that she did not lack fol
partners.
Flushed and happy. she finally wen
= TO prepare for her home going. WheI
she emerged from the cloak room sh,
expected to find Tom waiting for her
but he was nowhere TO be seen. an,
she stood rather neryously watchin:
for him.
AS she looked rather anxiously abou
for her brother she happened TO ell
counter the gaze of Il man who stco'
near her. He was distinguished look
ing. and LYDIA had noticed him severa
times during the evening. secret.
wishing that she might have met him
AS she looked up he seemed to realiZ
that he had been staring at her TO
he started little and turned away.
LYDIA did not know what to do
Where could Tom be? II only one o
the men she had met would pass tina
way. Her trepidation increased. Nc
.ticing this. the man. who was still! COY
ertly watching her. approached.
"Can I be of any assistance to you:
he asked courteously; perhaps l coul'
ind the person you were looking for:
''It is my brother" LYDIA half gasped
'ng pair of very frightened blu
ing his kindly, encouraging
'" ----------.-.