Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-03

out the travelling for wheeled vehicles
was hazardous.
A full moon was shining brightly as
the yellow coach was dragged creak
ingly before the old colonial porch by
two large white horses that NaCgie's
nephew had obtained from local
farmer for the purpose. Simmy him.
self sat on the drivers seat. his head
proudly aloft under the weight OF
Colonel Melvin's old silk hat: other
wise he was a bundle OF ragged over.
coats, Topped by an ancient cloth cape,
also relic of the deceased warrior.
Maggie held a lamp aloft in the door.
way as an excuse for seeing the ladies
of. Cinda's clever fingers had made
them very splendid indeed: Aunt Ann.
as usual, in black velvet. with her huge
mink cape over all, and Cinda herself,
like rosebud. in one of Aunt AIMS
pink organdie gowns. From head to
foot she was swathed In an old india
shawl. and only her bright head peeped
out to occasionally survey her small
white slippered feet.
The coach rocked teeteringly down
the driveway and nearly careened as
Simmy turned the horses into the
road. 'I reckon dis yeres gwine to
be a ticklish ride" he muttered gloom.
lily Its ezSns.n runnin' down de bay
in a cas- win. I reckon rs gwine ter
smash ole MH~sMelvin an Miss Cinda
befo' I gifts through wild dis we're Job.
Giddap. yo' ole twin snailsi Whoa. dab!
I reckon yo' needn't hurry so fas' II
yo's gwine lax datr'
Just before they reached Deepford
the catastrophe which Cinda had been
fearing happened. All at once one OF
the rear wheels collapsed. letting the
body OF the heavy vehicle sag peril
ously at that corner. The horses
loundered about in the snow. pulled
to and fro by the thoroughly brighten.
ed Simmy, while Aunt Ann took 1t into
her head to break down and bewail the
fallen glories of the house OF Melvin.
Cinda strove to reassure her.
The breakdown had occurred in front
of Newton Ashford's house. and the
young man ran out to render assist.
ance.
I'm afarid you'll have to get out and
let me drive you to the party" he
said in response to Cinda's low voiced
explanation, "unless-if you will come
into the house a few minutes while /
rouse n couple of my men we will
place the body of your coach on run
ners. so you may get there after all"
THAT will place us under great obli-
CATION" said Aunt Ann with dignity.
'If you will assist me TO alight, sir,
will wait until you make the change.
l do not fear the snow-I have on arc
ties. Cinda. my dear, I hope you have
put on your rubber boots"
81 didn't, Aunt Ann" confessed Gin
da. 81 have nothing but these thin
slippers on"
wait a moment, please" Newton
rushed toward the house. while Aunt
Ann took advantage Of his absence 10
scold her pretty niece at considerable
length. When he returned Newton
was waving a small pair Of rubber
boots.
Perhaps these will fit," he suggest
ed. giving them to Aunt Ann. II think
they are little boys boots. / found
them in the snow"
Aunt Ann pushed the boots over
Cinda's white slippers, and they fitted
exactly, and with Newton's help they
went TO his bachelor abode and await
ed the changing OF their coach 10 a
sleigh.
This accomplished. they learned that
Mr. Ashford was going to the party.
SO Aunt Ann invited him TO ride with
them, and during the remainder OF the
Journey they became acquainted.
Aunt Ann discovered that her hus-
= CT n hann Gfgtnr
TO NewtOn's great grandfather, and
with this kinship established the young
man felt cmbOidencd to tell Of his find
ing the rubber boots I'm the snow. Then
Tinda related with many apologies 70
Aunt Ann. who considered her exceed
ngly careless, how she had gone forth
hat same day to walk in the snow
with her new boots on, how the
1aker's dog had chased her with
'icious leaps until she had desperately
yithdra avn her new boots and thrown
hem at him.
OF course the Pundermans' party
vas n great success. Il always IL. The
'ellow coach had appeared q most luz
lrlous equlpaGe sncthPred in several
# Newton AshfOrd's buffalo robes.
nd Aunt Ann was assured that the
ride Of her house was rtlll maintained.
linda danced with Newton Ashford so
many times that boti Little River and
nodded their heads and said
t looked as If Cinda Melvin had found
10 suit her.
II all turned ont az such romance
will end when there Il pumpkin
elbow coach drawn by two white
nima!s. q fairy godmotber (Aunt Ann
idn't know it. but that's what she
ras) inside with the Drettiest girl you
yer saw. nan I'd Cinda. and a little
)st bit Of footgear to be fitted and
Dund perfect. Newton and Cinda
-ere married. nnd the yellow coach
ms their wedding conch. and they
'ere very happy indeed. Newton al
iays calls her Cinderella. Some poo
lie don't understand why, hut Cind1
ces. and 50 does Newton-Gnd Aunt
nm does too.