The Somerset reporter., 1906-06-14

most inoffensiye pebble was occasion
for q wide detour, In spite OF the la
mentable fact that 1t Increased the dis
lance. And did the little unshod silken
foot so much as caress the ground In
its wabbling career Dudley WAS ready
to weep in worshipful contrtion. 1t
was almost too much Joy to discover
In the course of the hysterical CONVEX
sation that this was Tom Hutton's
ranch-dear old Tom that he hadn't
seen since the college days-and Gin
derella his wifes guest.
But, as all pleasant moments come to
an end, so must this, as Cinderella
dropped, tired, but still merry, into q
chair on the bungalow piazza.
And then the prince" he said slow
ly, looking down upon her with COM
pelling eyes, caused his heralds-no;
l think you know what the prince did
without my telling you"
All" she cried, her own eyes falling
under his scrutiny but first you've to
find the slipper"
Yes, first I've to find the slipper.
And when 1t is found I've the advan-
tage of knowing where dwells Cinder-
ella-and that the slipper will fit"
which last Is yet to be prevent
teaslngly.
May put 1t to the test?" be begged.
"Oh. Faintheart" she whispered
mockingly Try and see."
Whereat Dudley began q most pecul-
lar course of behavior. Going quickly
| around the corner of the cabin he
bumped his head softly several times
against the logs, gave himself a VIC.
lent shake and then strobe through the
trees TO the low rock In the little clear.
ed space at the edge OF the bluff. Sit.
ting down, he plunged an empty hand
into the deep pocket and brought 1t out
full Of a stout brown walking boot of
small dimensions
To his credit be 1t said that there
was self denunciation In his aspect as
! he sat turning it miserably over and
over. Oh, yes; Of course he'd had 1t
there all the while Well, hadn't he
/ tried to let her have 1t at the very
/ first, and didn't she keep interrupting
/ till he couldn't-that Is to say, didn't
want to? Suppose he was the biggest
/ cad on record, he'd wager no fellow
ever had a better excuse! Hang it,
What did she have to look at him that
way for? How could he deliberately
hand the thing over and put an end to
the happiest few moments he'd ever
spent, or ever expected to spend, for
that matter? For surely by this fool
/ ishnesS he'd dished any prospects of
/ further acquaintance about as effec-
lively as possible. Well anyhow, this
was torture: might as well have the
confession over with and go Off and
shoot himself.
In three minutes he was back The
trial trip had taken twenty to nayl-
gate. She was waiting and still alone.
Oh, yes; rub it in! She might have
cared if he hadn't spoiled it all.
Most eager knlghtr' she called In
greeting. Was it wings? Nothing
else could have taken you down the
ravine and up again in this time"
For answer he knelt without a word
and put the fateful shoe in place with
elaborate care lie would have that
privilege before he forfeited her favor
forever. Then
Il found it in the ravlne before
climbed up at ALL" he said abruptly.
ut was In my pocket all the while.
Now send me away, for l can't go I'M
less you do
But Cinderella leaned forward to take
his remorseful face between two but
terfy hands.
"Oh, boy, boy" she cried softly;
most innocent of boys! Did you think
l didn't know? | saw you pick 1t up
down below-no. you shall have all the
truth; 1t fell let it fall because
saw youw
/ Just then Tom Hutton, coming
around the corner of the house. de-
cded he could quite as well postpone
! his errand.