The Washington herald., 1913-02-02

Il
ing love again TO Nancy. and 1 may
truthfulIy add that dreaded the ordeal
while courted It.
What II she refused me in the end?
I cast out at once this horrifc thought
as unworthy a man Of my address.
Under the stairway there was a cozy
corner. Upon the cushions saw a dark
haired girl In red. Now. when they
haven't a dash Of red in their hair like
Il In their dress. She was pretty. besides.
so stopped.
pardon me. but won't you tell me
II you are Cinderella?-producing the
slipper.
Il am" she said with an amused
smile.
'"Then there is a Cinderella. after alp
cried joyfully. Where are the pump
kins?" glancing about.
"'I believe that several OF them have
gone hunting for the slipper
was delighted. Three witty women
Gil in one night. and two Of them charm
ing. II was more than man had any
right to expect.
You have really and truly lost a slip
rer?"
"RealIy and truly: only I am not the
Cinderella you are looking for" From
under her skirt there came into view
Immediately to disappearJ small scar
let slipper.
I was very much taken aback.
''RedT' said !. "Ah, have II. The
wicked fairy hast cast n speu over the
slipper and turned it white"
"Inat would simplify everything
IL We lived in fairy-tale times.
On, dear, there are no fairies nowadays.
and I wonder how in the world 1 am TO
get home"
You have the pumpkins and the mice"
only the pumpkins: It is after twelve.
and all the mice have gone home"
Haven't you an incantation?' asked.
She stretched out her arms dramati-
cally. BE gone. young man, be
gone!
Very good" said /: hut am i'm
pervious to incantations Of that sort.
II wonder where the other Cinderella
fs?"-adroitly 1t was quite evident that
she wanted to be rid OF me.
II ! hadn't met NanCy"'-
Suppose ! Try this white slipper on
your foot?''
1T is not a supposable matter"
ncense"'-sighinG.
She laughed. You wouldn't be half
SO nice
This was almost the beginning Of an
enChantment-
IF you will turn your head toward
the wall I'll try on the slipper. l am
curious to learn II there is a girl here
Who has smaller foot than l.
Vanity. vanity all is vanity
''Tisn't vanity: its curiosity: and may
be my foot is getting cold
I took some pillows and piled them
on the floor How viii r1fs do?"
Since l cannot have the slipper
shall not move. Besides. am sitting
on the unshod foot. Hadn't you better
sit down here beside me and give an
account OF yourself and what YOU have
been doing all these ten years.?
You know me-" genuinely astonished.
But you do not know me-"
No: it's a terrible thing tn admit. but
do not recognize You.
Don't you remember Betty Lee
Betty Lee? That homeiy little girl
turned into goddess? Small wonder that
didn't recognize YOU
My girl friends all say that haven't
changed a bit in ten years
Envy. malice. Jealousy. But IT IS odd
that you should recognize me and that
Nancy Marsd"n should forget ne"
II used t" detest you: We forget only
those We love.
Enter one OF the pumpkins Young
fellow about twenty. Hang II. was
always being interrupted by some caIIow
youth
Here's your confounded shoe. Bett.
I've had deuce Of time finding it."
He tossed tn" slipper cavalicrIy into her
iaD.
Young man" said severely. you
will never succeed with the ladies'"
The lady happens to N" my sister"
hauGhtily
Pardon me-" contritcIy y should
have remembered that sisters don't be-
long"
Tho girl laughed and pushed on, one
of the pillows. Then she gave me the
slipper.
Wen not haEgie over cobbler's IL
ccnse." she said
knolt and put on the slipper. Only
one thing marred the completeness Of
one.
The girl stood up and shook TIL, folds
in her dress, then turned coldIy on her
brother
You are a disgrace to the family.
Bob
"oh. fudge: Come on along to supper:
It's ready. and I'm half starved
Brothers don't belong. either
II wish you luck with the white Slip |
rcr." said Betty. as she turned TO leave.
Call on me soon. and I'll forgive all the |
past"
THAT I shall But made up my
mind that I should call on Nancy first. |
Otherwise it would he dangerous.
stood alone. 1t rather hurt to think |
one girl should remember me and that |
the other should absolutely forget. But |
supper brought me out Of my cogitatious |
So once again put away the slipper and !
looked at my supper card. I was destined |
to sit at table four. followed the |
pilgrims out to worship at the shrine of
Lucullus.
Evidently there was no Cinderella; or. |
true to her condition in life, she was at
this moment seated before her ash heap, |
surrounded by struttlnC and cooling |
doves. Well, well, l could put the slip
per on the manteI at home; it would be
a pleasant reminder.
l found table four. There were four
chairs. none OF the occupied: and as
sat down I wondered II any one I
knew would sit down with me.
\ heavy hand fell rudely upon my
shoulder
What do you mean. sir. by entering |
a gentleman's house in this manner"
demanded stern voice.
l turned, my ears burning hotly.
You old prodigal! You old man.
without-a-country. You pirate"' went
in in this fashion? Nan. what would |
you do with him II you were in my |
placer The voice belonged to Nancy |
Marsden's brother
II have no desire to put myself in
your place" said the only girl who
could be Cinderella.
"I wouldn't bother about his slipper.
not il he went barefooted all his life"