The daily Alaskan., 1907-02-06
Mrs. TOWnSeLd'S RuSe
LOriglnaLl

Tend should marry a fortune. Her an eestors had .bcen rich for many years. and now suddenly the decision of a lawsuit against them had made them poor. But Anita was especially averse 10 angling for rich husband. Not so her mamma. Mrs Townsend was an angler in deep wSter-that Is, her hook was not visible from the surface. She determined to supply her daughters deficiency. -. .- ...
 Arthur Brewerton was the catch of the season. He came of good stock and had an income of $40,O00 a year. Mrs. Townsend concluded to concentrate her diplomatic skill on this one victim. Beaverton had shown sOIue preference for her daughter. but it was generally understood among his acquaintances that he was quite satisfied with the freedom of single life and had no idea of exchanging it for the restraints of matrimony 4 gentle prtssure was necessary to force him to take the hook. .. -.... .. l..sy. ...
 At the Flemlngs' dinner party, with q cotillon later In the evening. both Miss Townsend and Mir. Beaverton were present. The party being young peoples affair. Mrs. Townsend was not at first invited; but, not wishing to let slip any opportunity to further her daughters interest. she declined the invitation for Anita on the ground that she always chaperoned her. This brought an invitation for the mother.
 At the dinner table Mrs. Townsend sat on Mir Brewerton's right, his din ner companion being on his left Anita sat directly opposite. During the din ner Mrs. Townsend catching glimpse of q mans shoe under the table beside Brewerton'S ShOeleSS right foot was struck with its small size. Indeed since the toe had got turned toward It's owner at first glance she thought 1t might be her daughters, but instantly she remembered that Anita wore kid slippers.
 Now. Anita Townsend had weak toe joint on her right foot. Her mother borrowed q pencil from Nr. Beaverton and bit torn from a letter, wrote on it, Better relieve the joint, dear" and handed 1t across the table to her daugh- ter Anita wrote on the u"her side of the paper, I have" and handed l5 back. After this Mrs. Townsend leaned far back in her chair, so that her legs projected far under the table.
 The dinner finished, the ladies arose and departed Then when the men had finished q brief smoke they also left the table for the ballroom, where the musicians were already tuning their instruments. Arthur Beaverton slipped his foot into his shoe and rose with the rest. At the dining room door he en- couutered Mrs. Townsend. who told him that her daughter wished to see h!m moment in the red room to ar range q social matter the two had in' hand. Beaverton stepped into the room, which was close at hand, joined the young lady and stood talking with her for some time, then the two entered the ballroom just as the dancing had commenced. There they separated. both having partners for the COtillOp.
 MT. Beaverton found his partner at the door waiting for him and, clasp!nS her waist. sailed around in the waltz. It was not long before be found that he was attracting the attention of the whole room. Disengaging himself from his partner. he surveyed himself from head to foot It was at the foot that he discovered the cause of the interest he excited. On his right foot was a pink kid slipper.
 That there was a scandal imminent was apparent to all There were sev- eral dresses among the ladies present of a shade to match the slipper, one of them being worn by Miss Townsend. A number of eyes were turned upon her, and she was discovered sitting with her feet drawn under her skirts. Then her mother hurried to her and escorted her from the room. This was sufficient. Mir. Beaverton and Miss Townsend had been away from the others for some time after dinner and for cause or causes unknown had got mixed as to their shoes.
 The TownSends' carriage was called, and mother and daughter left for home without again appearing in the ball room. Mir. Brewerton, not being able to endure tue battery of eyes leveled upon him, begged his partner to excuse him and, ordering his carriage, also left the house. He drove to the Town sends. where be, found the mother pac' ing the drawing room floor eXcitedly and the daughter in tears.
 How could it have happened? he said.
 My daughters future is blighted," cried Mrs. Townsend. with a wall.
 Why so:' asked the young man. who still wore the pink kid slipper.
 Why so? Were you two not togeth. CT in the red room for half an hour be- fore the dancing: And did not every body know it?"
 "Weu?"
 well? My dear MT. Beaverton, what were you two doing to change shoes| Mamma" exclaimed Anita reproach- ft,llv