Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1905-06-24

ley think Of me?''
"Now she is trying to look repentant,
pursued the little torment, "but yo1
needn't try; you know you are glad, yol
wicked child"
Fan was just my age.
Alma laughed but drew me close to her
saying, Il am glad you did it, Bernie, 70
| wanted you here SO badly this eve !
then, .'aliow me to introduce my brothe
Dare to you: Miss Bernice Bramleigh-
Dare BENTLEY"
To describe the ball and my enjoyment
of it, is impossible suffice to say it was
moments Of swift, feeting enchantment
an enchantment in which all my inherited
French nature seemed to find its natura
air and live and breathe, in which every
thought OF my wickedness in deceiving
my aunt was lost. | fiirted, and laughed
and talked, and Dare Bentley hardly lei
my side. Ihad faithfully promised James
to return at half-past eleven but it was
twelve instead before thought OF the
time, and said, "Ah, must CO.
Hurry" said Fan, who was near, "ol
the clock will strike, Cinderella
A few moments after, when had made
my adieux, and with Mr.. Bentley still in
attendance, was going down the long
avenue to where my faithful James
awaited me, my escort said, laughing
care you afraid of your wicked god.
mother, that you insist on going so early?
Then the first shadow fell over my
happiness, and | said, very seriously:
"Mr. Bentley, | shall never forgive
myself if my conduct and Fans remarks
have given you wrong impression Of
my aunt. She is very good and kind to
me, and | shall be very much ashamed
Of my wicked disobedience tomorrow,
though | cannot find it in my heart to
regret it tonight"
''You certainly cannot expect me to
regret it," he replied, gravely. Il have
heard much Of your aunt from my sister
Alma, as well as Of yourself, and''-smil-
ing at Inc, Il hope to make her acquaint-
ance soon, and if possible win her good
opinion"
Then he stood, so handsome in the
moonlight, watching us drive away.
After l had reached my room safely
that night, and was sleepiIy putting away
my things, discovered to my consterna-
ton that in the bundle | had hurriedly
put together in the dressing-room, there
was only one Of the pair Of slippers | had
placed there, and | began to think retri-
button for my sins had commenced even
that early. My lovely French slippers
had been my particular vanity, and |
wondered how | could account to aunt
Patience for the disappearance. Resolv-
ing to have James 60 over the road early
i'll tile morning in search Of it, put tie
mateless slipper away in its box and re-
tired.
My aunt doubtless was surprised at my
unusually good behavior all the following
day, for my conscience had commenced
to give me reproachful twinges whenever
| thought Of my disobedience. James at
my direction had gone carefully over the
road, but failed to discover trace Of my
lost property, and altogether l felt as all
sinners ought to feel, miserable.
| frightened up that afternoon, how
ever, when Alma and her brother called
to invite me to croquet party, an invita-
ton which, as there was no dancing, my
aunt permitted me to accept and Mr..
Bentley, who completely won her by his
dignifed bearing and deferential air, was
graciously accorded permission to call for
me.
"a very nice and well behaved young
man" she remarked after they had gone.
Il have no objection to your accepting
his escort, Bernice.'
And SO it was, through those lovely
summer months, Dare won aunt Patience's
confidence, and gained for me many priv
iIeges | never otherwise would lave
enjoyed and the days passed happily,
swiftly by, with picnics, boating and
parties, while |, through the enjoyment
oft all, was unconsciously learning what
was to make Inc better and truer girl
and woman.
cinderella had become quite MY
nickname, for Fan never neglected all
opportunity Of teasing me, and Alma, and
even Dare, called me by it occasionally.
Whenever | was reminded Of the occur
renee that led to it, | had the grace to
blush and feel very much like naughty
Child, at which they were vastly amused.
1t seemed to me that all the good things
were to be crowded into that brief sum-
mer, when a letter came from papa an
nouncing his immediate return. | did
not know till long after, that a letter from
aunt Patience had suddenly awakened
him to the fact that his little girl'' was
child no longer, but was principally
engaged in dreaming in those days.
My awakening came one morning just
before Dare's departure to New York-a
basket Of exquisite flowers directed to
Cinderella" and under the mass Of
fragrant bloom | found long-lost white
slipper, with note in which ''the Prince"
claimed me for his own and | took note,
slipper and all, straight to my aunt
Patience, and telling her the whole story,
asked her forgiveness.
am married now, and look back with
sorrow upon many Of my girlish frolics,
among which is one that causes my hus-
band and some Of my friends to teasingIy
address me as Cinderella !" but, though
! would warn my girl friends against a
similar course, can not find it in my
heart to regret the escapade that won me
"My Prince"