The Colorado statesman., 1911-05-20

of spangled armor. The gray steel
following the strong lines OF his figure
made of him knight upon whom
many feminine eye fingered. Just
before leaving his apartment Ross had
slipped the golden pump into the
pocket Of his great top coat He new
er knew Just what prompted his ac-
ton.
David Ross was a conspicuous fig
ure in the wonderfully costumed as
semblage. He had danced several
figures Of the cotillion and always
with the pleasurable uncertainty OF
his partners identity. His partner in
the seventh figure was a golden but
terfiy, and the girl seemed in reality
to float about with the great diaphan-
Gus wings which we're attached to
her bare arms. When Ross attempted
to encircle her with his arm for
waltz he became entangled In the
gauzy folds.
you will have to come under my
wing" laughed the girl In voice
that was music. She raised her arm
and David drew her to him. They
danced in perfect rhythm.
During the figure. each girl was
expected to kick off one of her slip
| pers. then escaping from her partner,
find a seat and there wait until she
should be reclaimed The men seeing
floor full of slippers, each picked
up one Then the hunt for a hun
dred Cinderellas began.
David Ross, because golden slippers
I'll,
one of that color.
All about the huge ballroom David
searched for feminine foot encased
in gold. He found many of that hue.
but all had beads or bows, or were
of different cut. Last-but always
having had her in mind-he approach
| ed the girl with whom he had been
dancing the golden butterfly girl.
May l." the silver Knight knelt
beside the butterfly girl-"try on
this?"
Eyes, but you see 1t does not
match mine" The girl put out her
other foot and David Ross started.
The girls voice went on. Il think
every prince in the room has tried to
fit his slipper on my foot. but some
how the mate seems lost"
81 think l can help you." Ross was
on his feet" if you will wait only a
moment-will you?" He bent over the
girl trying to get a glimpse of her
eyes through the mask.
"Yes-I'll wait"
Ross went swiftly to the cloak
room and from the pocket of his coat
extracted a bronze pump. AS he
turned to the ballroom he thought he
saw a familiar black-faced nanny
near the entrance to the woman's
cloak room.
True to her word, the golden but
terfiy had remained where he had left
her. The silver knight again knelt
beside her and it was with trembling
fingers that he placed on her foot
the slipper he had held for SO many
weeks.
Come, Cinderella!" Davids tone
was light. but the manner in which
his arm held her during the remainder
of the waltz spoke in many voices.
The girl was strangely silent
Where is the mate to this slipper
he asked, holding up the one which
he had taken from the floor.
Il put it in the conservatory"
Shall we look for it? Supper and
unmasking follow this figure-come!"
Shall | get Dick-to introduce us?"
the girls voice held a hint of mis-
chief. "Then you are Dick Holden's
sister?-and my hostess?" David
Ross began to understand the clever
| ha1
his benefit.
Yes, Mr.. David Ross. Dicky was
rather indignant at the treatment my
old black nanny had received and
went up to investigate. When he saw
your name on the door plate
81 see everything now except"
Except whether or not l am pref
ty?" laughed the girl.
mo. that is not it. 1 have always
pictured you as having the kind of
hair that will sparkle and CLEAN un-
der lamp"
Beneath the mask the eyes of the
butterfly girl grew wide. That so nat
urally spoken will had sent the blood
rushing to every part of her being, but
she did not speak.
and eyes that are big brown
shadows except when
''Unmaskl Unmask! Unmask!
sonorous voice vibrated through
the rooms.
The heart of David Ross beat quick
" as he saw the butterfly girls fin
gers go up toward her mask. They
trembled and David leaned forward.
Permit me-" With steady fingers
he unlocked the fuzzy. velvety head
gear and it fell back.
Their eyes met quickly; hers held
| dark shadows, save where, far IN their
depths, a fire was kindling.
After a moment David spoke
Come" he said drawing her arm
close to his side.
They passed under the big chandel-