The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-06
BY GRACE DE PIMA.
Copyright. 1911. by Associated
Literary Press

copyright, 1911, by Associated
Literary Press)
Having delivered her opinion of the
first act, Miss Winley leaned back
In her seat and yielded to the temp
tation of removing and readjusting
her slipper. with her foot as lever.
II proved a fascinating progress and
engrossed her attention. The lights,
going out. recalled her with a start.
The start disturbed the position of
the lever" She CROPPED madly till
she touched the heel of the truant
slipper: then curled her toe over its
edge. 1t rose on end. her foot slip
ped. the slipper shot forward and she
tracked only the bare floor.
Fred" she whispered, tapping her
companions arm. I've lost a slip
per"
The curtain had risen on a chorus
OF beauties. Fred. being only her
brother, replied. "Oh. never mind.
we'll get IL afterward." and bestowed
all his attention on the stage.
But Miss winlcys foot was cold.
and poutingly she curled IL UP un-
4 derneath her. Row spaces are not
built to meet such emergencies, and
: in settling -harself- Misa Minley- knock
ed her knee against the chair ahead
and to the left of hef. It's occupant
turned around, then Withdrew his
gaze reluctantly.
Fenshaw was not interested in the
act. He began to weigh the assets
OF the chorus against the unusual tint
Of Miss Winley's hair. He slouched
hack In his seat to catch another
glimpse of her. lie did not turn
again deliberately. Something Inn
peded the stretch of his legs. He
stopped. stared, and picked up
golden slipper. Graceful, not much
too big for his hands holding. still
warm to the touch. II rested on his
fiattened palm. Fascinated, he look
ed down at it.: and then, without
knowing why. thrust Ii steaithiiy into
the pocket Of his oeercoat. A slight
movement from behind distracted
him. and gave excuse to turn and
gaze again upon Miss Whitley. In
tuitiveiy he placed the slippers own
ership, and quickly sought conflrma
ton In her expression But Miss
Whitley. adapted to the uncertain gal
lantry OF a brother. had dismissed
tho matter from her mind until after
the play. The cramp from her po-
sition was alone responsible for her
restlessness.
Whom the curtain dropped so did
Fred, dutifuily, on hands and knees.
1y filed out. aud az the front rows
cleared he walked through them, call
ed the usher. eA plAinsd how. being
slipper, 1t was impossible for 1t to
be somewhere around. Meanwhile
Miss Whitley stood -an one foot. re-
garding his efforts with mingled dis
dain and despair.
Fenshaw, drifting over toward the
side exit. had not gone out. The
solitary figure attracted her Their
eyes met. In a flash she understood.
Here was where he should have come
forward and ended the quest. But
he didn't. He closed his hand over
the tell-taie bulge OF his pocket and
waited
You might ask she began to
Fred. "Er--ah--don't bother" as he
looked up inquiringiy. Only we'n
have to go home before joining the
crowd. You run ahead and ind our
car"
She took Off her other slipper and
tucked IL under her coat.
Why" asked Freddy.
Easier walking: / refuse TO limp.
You'll catch your death OF cold"
Miss Whitley shrugged her shout
sders. More evenly distributed. at
any rate" she philosophical. Then.
patheticaliy. You don't think any
one can notice, do you. IL / let my
gown fiop?" She arailed majesti-
tsaIfy. II cautiously. up the aisle be-
hind him. her beautiful rohe gather
ing up an undue share of dust.
She was very angry. To be sure,
the man had fine eyes but he also
had her slipper. She felt sure of IL:
yet she couldn't tell Fred 1t was 50
absurd. How could She
Only n few perHons ramain~d IN.
the entrance AZ she stepped int the
motor. One of these was Fenshaw.
she saw him clearly. =, He had edged
close as Fred approached the chauf-
feur In an endeavor TO hear. Miss
Whitley became enraged. Then sud-
denly the lure OF the game rose in her
veins. In spirit of challenge. she
leaned out and called audibly TO her
brother:
Tell him--home,' and. as the