Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1913-06-28
PERSISTENT W00ING'
In Which a Lost Slipper Played a
Most Conspicuous Part.
ey ALeERT N. rREYNoR.


that sunshiny morning. When a 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 II was too late for dignified re-
treat; so, with profound obliviousness,
she craned her brown head out over
the curb and began to watch a street
car as It ratified down Eighth ave.
nue.. There was quick step on the
sidewalk, and Belding halted deter
minedly at her side.
Morning" greeted the most IA
miliar voice in the world. I've still
got your ring. Won't you take IL
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. "T 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"
'I'll never again go to the park
with you," she declared. You'll please
stop annoying me-
With her slender shoulders held
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 Belongs footsteps behind her,
and. with angry precipitancy. she
tried to climb to the back Of the
platform before the car had entirely
stopped. Her finger clutched the hand
rail, but her toe caught beneath the
step. AS she was jerked forward by
the checking momentum of the car,
her suede pump slipped from her foot
and dropped to the street.
Whirling with a 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 car.
Her eyes widened Indignantly as she
saw him drop into a rear seat, draw
4 newspaper from his pocket and
calmly begin 70 read.
jeanette stood far q moment irres-
olute, balancing herself precariously
in the remaining pump, and with the
other foot gingerly uplifted. Then.
like lame robin. almost limping. and
not quite hopping, she followed Beld-
ing and sat down stifiy 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-
ton 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 / wish
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 meH"
81 did !" she blazed. You have
nv slipper. want II!
He lowered his newspaper and
placed his hand tentatively In his
pocket.
"You must be mistaken" he OBJ
served after a 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 girl watch
ing them half-titteringly from across
the aisle.
ped. I'm glad | found out In time
the sort of bully you are. Are you
going TO give me my slippers"
mo-" he replied. I'm not. Now,
If you don't mind, I'd like to read.
I'm getting of at Seventy-seventh
street"
He buried his nose in the newspa-
per, indicating by the interposition OF
board shoulder that the conversa-
ton, so far as he was concerned, had
ended. White and anxious she sat
in silence while the car continued the
trip down Eighth avenue.
She thought she knew Belding well
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.