The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-03-28

IN pair of balloon slippers.
II 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. see am not too late.''
"Sir!"
But I saw no ange; on her face.
There was. however, mixture OF
amusement, hauteur Chat darling
word Of the lady novelists!) and OBJ
lection. She hadn't the least idea who
was, and I was not going to tell her
for some time to come. was a prod
jga], with a. few new ideas.
II meant nothing more serious than
that you might happen to be Cinder-
ella" said I. What in the world
should I 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
rs rather encouraging.
1T would be somewhat embarrass.
ing to ask a married woman if she
werc Cinderella" proceeded.
Il 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
l was glad. Her eyes were brown,
with a CLINT of gold around the pupils,
Kaleidoscope iris, as it 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
know to describe fifty her red mouth.
Her hair was the color Of a fallen
maple-}eaf, rich, soft. warm October
brown, streaked with red. Patience:
You may laugh, but, for my part, give
me dash of red above the alabaster
brow of a pretty woman. 1t is mute
language Which speaks OF sparkling
Intellect; and whenever seek the eX-
hilaration that rises from a witty con-
flict, find me a woman with glim-
mer Of red in her hair.
Well, sir?" said she, breaking in on
my train of specific adjectives.
Pardon me! I was thinking how l
should describe you were a success
full novelist, which l declare with no
little regret. am not"
You certainly have all the assur-
ssnce of writer Of books, to speak to
me in this manner"
MY assurance is based wholly on
the possession OF truant slipper.
aua bold: but the end justifies the
means, Having in mind her foot.
fier shoulders drew together and
fell
Il am searching for the Cinderella
VITO has lost a slipper. and l am go.
ing to call you Cinderella till have
proof that you are not she whom l
SEEK
1T is very kind Of you," she replied,
with a hint Of sunshine struggling at
he corners of her lips "Have l ever
met you before? "--puzzling her
arched brows.
Memory does not follow reincar.
nation" answered owlishly; but l
dare say that often met you at the
Temple Of Venus in the old, old days"
She appeared slightly interested.
What, may l ask, was your bust.
ness in the old, old days?"
u played the cithern"
And n"
II believe you distributed flowers"
DO you know the hostess ?"-with
solemn eyes.
Oh. yes: though she hasn't the
slightest recollection OF me. But that
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.
tiona."
You possess some discernment, at
least"
Thank YOU"
But wish I knew precisely what
you are about,"-her eyes growing
critical in their examination.
Il am seeking Cinderella" once
more holding out the slipper. Then
looked at my watch. 1T. is not yet
twelve o'clock"
"You are, of course, a guest here
Illuminating, "else you could not have
passed the footman at the door,"
Mark my attire; or, candidly, do ]
look like q footman?'
moo; l can't say that you do: but
in Cinderella. don't you know, the
footman carried the slipper"
4'Oh, I'm the prince" explained
easily; n dismissed the footman at
the door,"
"Cindere1la," she mused She nes
tied her feet, and looked thoughtfully
at her delicate hands. could see she
was at that instant recalling the pic
lure of Cinderella and the ash-heap.
What was the princes name?"
In this case it is just a prince OF
good fellows
Il should like some witnesses" She
Sazed at me curiously, but there was
no distrust in her ''mpid eye, as clear
and moteless as Widow Wadmah's.
Isn't it f1ne," cried with burst
of confidence, Ito possess the courage
to speak to strangers?"
1T is equally courageous TO listen,'
WAS the retort.
Il knew I should like you!"-With
enthusiasm.
She stirred uneasily. 1t might have
been that her foot had suddenly grown
chilled. A storm was whirling outside