The Washington herald., 1913-02-02

/ asked politely. 1 held toward her q
dainty shoe that might very well have
appareIed the foot of Venus; only on,
cannot quite lift the Imagination to the
point of picturing Venus rising out OF
the Cyprlan waves in a pair of ballroom
slippers.
II am not yet addressed as madam. "
said she. calmly drawing her skirts
about her feet. which were already Sc
curely hidden.
Not yet? All, that is very fortunate,
indeed. see am not too late"
Sir"
But saw no anger on her face. There
was. however. a mixture of amusement
hauteur Cthat darling word Of the lady
novelistsD and objection. She hadn't
the least idea who was. and I was
not going to tell her for some time to
come. I was prodigal, with a few new
ideas.
II meant nothing more serious than
that you might happen to be Cinder-
ella" said l. What in the world
once she was safely married to the
prince?"
She swayed her fan indolently. but
made no effort 10 rise. looked on this
as rather encouraging.
1T would be somewhat embarrassing
to ask a married woman il she were
Cinderella 1 proceeded.
Il should not particular!ze,' she OBJ
served: married or single, 1t would be
embarrassing.
She was charming; a Watteau shep-
herdess in a fashionable ball gown. We
were all alone IN the nook at the farther
end OF the conservatory; and I was glad.
Here eyes were brown. with CLINT Of
gold around the pupils. a Kaleidoscope
iris. as it were. She poss&ssed one OF
these adorable chins that defy the future
10 double them: smooth and round. such
as man delights TO curve his arm under:
and I might search the several languages
I know to describe fltly her red mouth.
Her hair was the color of a fallen ma
pie ieaf, a rich. soft. warm October
brown. streaked with red. Patience You
may laugh. but for my part. give me a
dash OF red above the alabaster brow
of a pretty woman. II is a mute Ian
guage which speaks Of a sparkling in
teIlect; and whenever I seek the ex-
hiliaration that rises from n witty con-
ffict. find me a woman with a glimmer
Of red in her hair
We'll. SIR" said she. breaking in on
my train OF specific adjectives.
Pardon me! I was thinking how I
should describe you were I a success
fuI novelist. which ! declare with no lit
tie regret. am not
You certainly have all the assurance
or writer OF books. to speak to me in
this manner"
My assurance is based wholly on the
possession of a truant slipper. I am
bold: but the end justifies the means" q"
having in mind her foot.
Her shoulders drew together and fell.
4 am searching for the Cinderella who
has lost n slipper, and I am going to
call YOU Cinderella TIL have proof that
You are not she whom ! seek
1T is very kind Of YOU" she replied
with a hint of sunshine struggling at the
corners of her lips. Have ever met
YOU before ?"-puzzlinC her archcd brows
Memory does not follow reincarna-
ton" I answered owlishly; but dare
say that / often met you at tho Temple
"f Venus in the old. old days"
Sh" appeared slightly Interested
What. may I ask. was your business
in tho old. old days?''
y played the eithcrn.'
And To-
"I believe YOU distributed flowers"
DO you know the hostess?''-with SOL
emn eyes.
oh. yes: though she hasn't the slight
est recollection Of me. But that's per
f"ctly natural. At affairs like this the
hostess recalls familiarlv to her mind
only those who sat at h"r dinner table
earlier in the evening. All other invita-
tions are simply paid obligations"
You possess some discernment. at
least"
Thank YOU
But I wish to know precisely what
YOU are about. her eyes growing criti-
cal in their examination.
Il am seeking Cinderella" once more
holding ont the slipper. Then 7 looked
a my watch. 1T is not yet Il o'clock
You arc, or course. a guest here"
Illuminating, else You could not have
passed the footman at the door"
Mark my attire: or. Candidly, do
look like 4 foOtman?'
Moo: I can't say that you do; hut
IN Cinderella, don't you know, the foot
man carried the slipper
"Oh, I'm the prince" 7 explained cas-
lily: II dismissed the footman at the
door"
Cinderella" she unused. She nestled
her feet. and looked thouGhtfully at her
delicate hands. 7 could see she was at
that instant recalling the picture of Gin
derella and the ash-heap.
What was the princes name?"
In this case il is just a prince of good
fellows"
Il should like some witnesses" She
EaZed at me curiously. but there was no
distrust in her Hmpid eye. as clear and
moteless as Widow Wadman's.
Isn't it fine I cried with a burst Of
confidence, to possess the courage to-
speak to Strangers
"It is equally courageous to listen,
was the retort.
I knew I should like you:'-with en-
thusiasm.
She stirred uneasily 1t light have
been that her foot had suddenly grown
chilled storm was whirling outside,
and the pale. shadowy fakes of snow
brushed the windows.
approached her. held up the slipper
and contemplated it with wrinkled brow.
She watched me covertly. What slip
LII. Ts..l,s