The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1906-06-06

hess II WAS necessary 10 proceed Inc
most inotfensive pebble was occasion
for wide detour, in spite of the la
inevitable 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 contrition. 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 wife's guest.
But, as all pleasant moments come to
an end, SO must this, as Cinderella
dropped, tired, but still merry. into a
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;
| think you know what the prince did
without my telling you"
al" 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 founG I've the advan-
tage Of knowing where dwells Cinder-
ella and that the slipper Will fit"
Which last is yet to be provenp'-
teasingly.
MAY | put ii to the testY' he begged
oh, Faintheart" she whispered
mockingly Try and see"
Whereat Dudley began u 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 vio-
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 II out
full of a stout brown walking boot of
small dimensions.
To his credit be 1t said that there
WAS self denuneiation in his aspect as
lie sat turning 1t 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 II ut the very
first, and didn't she keep lnterrupting
Till he couldn't that is To say, didn't
want to: suppose he was the biggest
cad on record, he'd wager Ito fellow
ever had Il better excuse. Hang IT,!
What did she have 10 look ut 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
TINT matter? For surely by this fool
ishness he'd dished any prospects of
further acquaintance about as effee
lively as possible Well, anyhow this
WAS torture; might as we'll have the
confession over with and 20 Off and
shoot himself
In three minutes he was back. The
trial "trip had taken twenty to navi-
gate. She was waiting and still alone.
Oh, yes; rub 1t in, She might have
cared if he hadn't spoiled 1t all
Most eager knight" she called In
greeting Was it wings? Nothing
else could have taken you down the
ravine and up again la this time"
For answer he knelt without word
and put the fateful shoe in place with
elaborate care He would have that
privilege before he forfeited her favor
forever. Then
II found 1t Ia the ravine before
climbed up at ALL" he said abruptly
1T was IN my pocket all the while,
Now send me away, for can't go un-
less you do"
But Cinderella leaned forward to take
his remorscful face between two but
terfiy hands
"Oh. boy boy" she cried softly /;
most innocent of boys! Did you think
| didn't know | saw you pick 1t up
down below no. you shall have all the
truth; II fell | let 1t fall because |
saw YOU"
Just then Tom Hutton. coming
around the corner of the house, de-
eided he could quite as well postpone
his errand.