The Springfield herald. (Springfield, Baca County, Colo.) 1887-1919, 1913-02-28

udiuly phOc tuht Iulkut
NK0yIlI very we'll have appareied
~ the foot of Venus rising
out of the Cyprian wave
in a pair of balloon slippers.
Il am not yet addressed as madam"
said she. calmly drawing her skirts
about her feet, which were already Sc
curely hidden.
mot yet? All, that is very fortunate.
indeed. l see am not too late
"Sir!" "a
Tut l saw no anger on her face.
There was. however. mixture Of
amusement, hauteur (that darling
word Of the lady novelists!D and OBJ
lection. She hadn't the least idea who
was. and l was not going to tell her
for some time to come. was prod
tgal, with few new ideas.
II meant nothing more serious than
that you might happen to be Cinder-
ella" said l. What in the world
should l do with Cinderella's slipper.
once she was safely married to the
prince?"
She swayed her fan indolently, but
made no effort to rise. looked on this
3.
1T would be somewhat embarrass-
ing to ask . married woman II abe
were Cinderella" proceeded.
II should not particularize." she OBJ
served: married or single, 1t would
be embarrassing"
She was charming; Vatican shep-
herdess in fashionable ball-gown.
We were all alone in the nook at the
farther end of the conservatory; and
I was glad. Her eyes, were brown.
with a CLINT Of gold around the pupils,
4 kaleidoscope iris, as 1t were. She
possessed one Of these adorable chins
that defy the future to double them;
smooth and round, such as a man de-
lights to curve his palm under; and I
might search the several languages I
know to describe fitly her red mouth.
Her hair was the color Of a fallen
maple-leaf. 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 pretty woman. 1t is mute
language which speaks Of a sparkling
intellect; and whenever seek the ex-
hilaration that rises from witty con-
nict, l find me woman with glim-
mer Of red in her hair.
well, sir?" said she. breaking in on
my train of specific adjectives.
Pardon mel l was thinking how
should describe you were l success
full novelist. which l declare with no
little regret. l am not" ~
I'll,
ance of writer of books. to speak to
me in this manner" s
my assurance Is based wholly on
the possession Of a truant slipper.
am bold; but the end justif1es the
means,"-.having in mind her foot.
Her shoulders drew together and
fell.
II am searching for the Cinderella
who has lost a slipper, and am go
ing to call you Cinderella till L have
proof that you are not she whom
seek"
1T is very kind of YOU" she replied,
with hint Of sunshine struggling at
the corners of her lips. Have / ever
met you before ?"-puzzling her
arched brows. '-...,.l
Memory does not follow reincar-
nation" answered owlishly; but
dare say that l often met you at the
Temple of Venus in the old. old days"
She appeared slightly interested.
What, may ask, was your bust
ness In the old, old days."
II played the cithern."
And IL"
a t.kr Ill cd
DO you know the hostess? with
solemn eyes.
"Oh, yes; though she hasn't the
slightest recollection of me. But that's
perfectly natural. At affairs like this
the hostess recalls Familiarity to her
mind only those who sat at her dinner
table earlier in the evening. All other
Invitations are simply paid obliga-
tons"
You possess some discernment. at
least"
THANK you"
But wish / knew precisely what
you are about."-her eyes growing
critical in their examination.
81 am seeking Cinderella" once
more holding out the slipper. Then !
looked at my watch. at is not yet
twelve o'clock"
You are. of course, guest here"
Illuminating, else you could not have
passed the footman at the door"
Mark my attire; or. candidly. do l
look like a footman!"
Moo; 1 can't. say that you do; but
in Cinderella. don't you know, the
footman carried the slipper"
ooh, I'm the prince" explained
easily; 81 dismissed the footman at
the door"
Cinderella" she unused. She mes
tied her feet. and looked thoughtfully
At her delicate hands. could see she
was at that instant recalling the pic
ture Of Cinderella and the ash-heap.
y what was the princes name"
.'In this case 1t 10 Just prince OF
good fellows"
= "Ishould like some Witnesses" She
xaxed at me curiously, but there was
no distrust In her ''mpid eye. a. clear
and moteless as Widow Wadman's.
Isn't 1t fine" cried with a burst
of confidence, ito possess the courage
to speak to strangers"
at IL equally courageous to listen"
was the retort.
a., -Ao,,r5 l{La yOnfs-uifh