Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1913-05-17
PERSISTENT WOO|NC
In Which a Lost Slipper Played a
Most Conspicuous Part.
BY ALBERT M. TREvNoR.

Tom Bedding was the last person on
earth Jeanette Dodge wished to meet
that sunshiny morning. When girl
has quarreled with the man she loved,
flung back his ring and driven him
irrevocably from her home. the sight
of his doleful countenance Is not
the best morning-after sedative.
But, as Belding swung around the
corner at Ninety-sixth street, she re-
allied that he had seen her. She
knew 1t was too late for dignified re-
treat: SO, with profound obliviousness.
she craned her brown head out over
the curb and began to watch street
car as It ratified down Eighth ave.
nue., There was a qsick step on the
sidewalk, and Belding halted deter
minedly at her side.
!" Morning." greeted the most IA
niliar voice in the world. I've still
got your ring Won't you take It
back Ingratiatingly he exhibited
a cleaning solitaire
She looked upon him in chilling
scorn
Il told you last night that didn't
want your ring she reminded him
bitterly 81 want you never to ad-
dress me again"
Just let me talk with you a half
hour" he pleaded I'm going for a
walk in the park Come with me,
and I'm sure we can straighten out
this miserable business
HrH never again go to the park
with you" she declared. You'll please
stop annoying me"
cI1
rigid beneath an awful weight Of
disdain, she marched into the street
and signaled the motorman of the APP
preaching street car. Again she
heard Belding's footsteps behind her.
and with angry precipitancy. she
tried to climb to the back of ithe
platform before the car had entirely
stopped Her finger clutched the hand
rail- but her toe caught beneath the
step AS she was .ierked forward by
the checking momentum Of the car.
her suede pump slipped from her foot
and dropped to the street.
Whirling with little cry of dis.
may she saw Belding stoop quickly
to the pavement beneath the car
platform, and then jump to the step
with his hand tucked serenely In his
coat pocket
Board!" called the conductor.
and Belding without a glance. push.
ed past the girl and entered the care
Her eyes widened Indignantly as she
saw him drop into a rear seat, draw
newspaper from his pocket and
calmly begin to read
Jeanette stood for a moment irres-
olute, balancing herself precariousIy
In the remaining pump, and with the
other foot gingerly uplifted. Then
IKE lame robin, almost limping. ami
not quite hopping, she followed Beld
ing and sat down stiffiy beside him
He ratified his newspaper unso-
ciably. and drew an inch nearer the
window. Puckering his brows to an
almost painful degree of concentra
tion he immersed himself many faith
oms deep in the market news.
The girl regarded him with crush
ing contempt
You'll pardon me, sir. but | wis!i
my slipper" she declared
The newspaper cracked austerely
She glared at him in astonished
rage. Give me my slipper!" she re-
peated
Belding slowly raised his head. and
me her eyes with distant courtesy
Excuse me, Miss Dodge" he muir.
INJURED Did you address me?"
Il did T. she biazed "You have
my slipper. wait iti"
He lowered his newspaper and
placed his hand tentatively In his
pocket
You must be mistaken" he OBJ
served after q pause. Have .you
looked on your foot?'
With grave inquiry he glanced
downward but she hastily drew her
silk toe beneath the hem OF her skirt.
flushing as she observed a girl watch
ing them half-titteringly from across
the aisle
"Oh, this is outrageous!" she snap.
ped I'm glad ! found out In time
the sort Of bully you are. Are you
going to give me my slipper?"
No" he replied. I'm not Now.
II you don't mind, I'd like to read
I'm getting Off at Sevenly-seventh
street..
lie buried his nose in the newspn.
per, indicating by the interposition OF
board shoulder that the conversa-
ton. SO far as he was concerned, had
trded White and anxious she sat
in silence while the car continued the
trip down Eighth avenue.
She thought she knew Belding well 2
enough to retain her old confidence
in his unvarying gallantry beneath
any sort of provocation. But his new
brusqueness OF demeanor. his set jaw
and the unfriendly look OF his eyes
had given her sudden misgivings
Heretofore he had always joyously re-
sponded to her slightest whim. He
Certainly was not stubborn but
AS the car passed Seventy-eighth
rect. he folded his paper and. ignor-
Ing Jeanette. quietly crowded past her
ilto the aisle.
My slipper!" she demanded furi.
orsly
Belding unconcernedly strode to the
Platform The car slowed up at the
nex' corner. and. swinging to the
step. he lightly dropped to the street.
Jeanette realized. with a gasp Of