The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1906-09-12
By Ruth Sautelle


81 beg your pardon" began Dudley,
suddenly realizing that she had asked
a question some minutes ago and that
an answer was expected Of him. 1.-THE
prince, you say? I've never been &C
cused before, you know" And then, in
q flash of comprehension, Most assur-
eddy am the prince-if you are the
princess" he finished triumphantly.
The brown eyes twinkled into his
more distractingly than before.
"Oh, not at allP' she laughed. I'm
only poor Cinderella"
cinderella p questioned Dudley,
looking the mystiacation he felt.
"Why, yes-you see''- She hesitated.
And then a very wonderful thing hap
pened. A line Of rosiest pink appeared
Just above the brown collar and crept
up stealthily, enveloping the tiny ear,
flashing into flame on the white brow
and hiding at last In the light hair that
blew about her face. Dudley, fascinat-
ed, watched its progress and forgave
the intrusion.
"Of course it's very simple, only dis
gracefully stupid of me. And"-sit-
ting up straight and suddenly becom-
ing very brave-"I'm not in the least
afraid to tell you"
Dudley mumbled suitable assurances,
while the girl moved uneasily on her
rocky throne and continued to look
brave.
II just-I only-the flower was way
over the edge Of the bluff, and-I held
on to branch and leaned down-and-
my heel got wedged by a stone-and"-
There was a tentative shifting of the
shimmery skirts, then a hasty motion
of withdrawal beneath them. "And II
lost the mate to thatp' she finished,
with desperate courage, thrusting into
sight the other foot, incased In a stout
little brown walking boot
Two furious bushes were in full op-
Grafton by this time.
Dudley gazed fxedly at the small
trim boot. you say the one you lost
was just like this?" he questioned, with
great solemnity.
"Oh, no; it belonged to the left foot,
you know" she responded, with CORE
spending earnestness.
And then came the welcome relief Of
laughter, under the relaxing influence
Of which Dudley sank upon the edge
Of the rock:
81 only meant to suggest" he an
nounced fervently, my unbelief that
there could be another like it in the
world"
Bravo bravow she applauded gay
ly. THAT is pretty enough to SAVIOR Of
much practice in such speaking"
Dudley's ardent expression was re-
placed by one of due submission to re-
buke.
cit is meet" he said as his hand
sought a capacious coat pocket and dis
appeared therein, that the downtrod-
den should arise to do thee service.
Perhaps 1 can aid you better than you
know"
"I'm sure you can," she interposed
hastily. "But let me tell my plan first.
couldn't let you go to find it and
leave me helpless and alone again."
"Of course not" Dudley's face as
sumed a thoughtful expression, and
his hand slowly left the big pocket
"T-a-hardly suppose you could Dor
row mine"
Again her bright laughter rang out.
"Oh, flattery, where is thy stingT' she
cried gaspingly. And Dudley, looking
ruefully from his own generous boot
to the adorable mateless one, realized
that once more he'd put his foot In it."
Forgiven" she declared In a mo-
ment because of the pretty one you
said first. And so, to go back to our
muttons, 1 see only one way. And yet,
Of course, it's such a little distance
the camps just back in the trees there
Il could hop on one foot, suppose"
She paused mischievously for the
mere pleasure Of regarding his look of
frank disappointment; also to observe
whether 1t occurred to him to wonder
why, with friends so near, she had not
called for help.
"But 1 should be sure" she relented,
ITO lose my balance and let the wrong
foot down." Dudley frightened per-
ceptibly. "And it's very stony and,
know, would hurt dreadfully. So after
all there Is Just the one way, as said"
She tilted the lonely boot back and
forth on it's heel and regarded it pen
sively. Dudley did likewise. When
this had gone on long enough she
raised to him an expectant look.
"Yes," he said. almost mournfully;
there only remains for me to help
you. suppose ought" he continued,
while his hand moved again ever 80
haltingly toward the pocket. then rap
Idly away from 1t, ''to-to'-
"Oh, pray don't feel any obligation
In the matter" was the hint. with Just
a bit of ice in the tone.
ITO avail myself of the most fortu-
nate opportunity that ever befell an
undeserving beggarv he finished,
laughing hilariously as he assisted her
to her feet-that is to say, her foot.
Mere words cannot approximate the
delight of that trip in the neighboring
(much too neighboring) camp. They
laughed like children and clutched
each other In frantic mirth. And with
what exceeding care and deliberate
ness it was necessary to proceedI The
most inoffensive pebble was occasion
for wide detour, In spite of the la
fact that 1t increased the dis
lance. And did the little unshod siIken
foot SO much as caress the ground in
It's wabbling career Dudley was ready
to weep in worshipful contrition. 1t
was almost too much joy to discover
n the course of the hysterical CONVEX
'ation that this was Tom Hutton's
old Tom that he hadn't
I0an since the college davH-and Gin
lerella his wife's guest
But, as all pleasant moments come to
IN end, SO must this, as Cinderella
iropped, tired, but still merry, into a