Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1913-05-17


With averted face and blazing cheeks
she hobbled to the rear of the car
and stepped to the pavement. fol-
lowel by an explosive snicker from
the conductor.
Belding had already crossed the
street and was entering the park.
( Desperately she pursued him. daintily
picking her way mn she hurried along
with strange. uneven step.
AS she reached the curbing Beld-
ing suddenly faced about. He looked
at her with insolent surprise.
Are you following me?" he de-
mar ded II don't care to. be followed.
you know"
"Yes. I'm following YOU" she re-
torted in a voice tense with outraged
feeling. 'T'll follow you until we
meet policeman. He'll know how
to treat man of your stort."
In that case" invited Belding.
come along"
He turned and strolled up the
graveled path, whistling lightly and
fecking at pebbles with his walking
| stick
! But for the absence of her slipper.
Jeanette might have found amuse-
ment in her tandem walk. Beiding
had chosen an unfreQuented path.
fianked on both sides by~ dense
bushes. He marchec unrelentingly
ahead. while she trugded helplessiy
along in his wake. Her sense OF the
ridiculous might then have rescued
them both from an absurdly exagger-
Eted situation; but she was suddenly
and sharply reminded of her shoeless
predicament when she placed her foot
with bruising force upon pebble In
the path.
OUGHT" she cried involuntarily.
Belding glanced back
Pretty rocky going for few feet
here" he called cheerily. TN help
you over"
Before she could protest he had re-
turned to her side and lifted her
gently to her feet Smothering her
struggles in bear-like grip he car
ried her dozen steps up the path.
and then set her down lightly In
patch of soft. green grass.
That's better" he said. Now we
can go on looking for that officer
But" she began protestingly.
"Oh, please give me my siipper!"
Are you ready to say that you've
forgotten last nignt--that everything
is to go on as before7" he quizzed
earnestly.
\ Certainly not! f!everi" che flashed.
"Oh, then perhaps we'd better be
finding your policeman" he suggested
pleasantly
You're a boor!' she exclaimed.
Bad names never did make me
amiable," he limited. And you're ask
ing me favor, tool"
"A favorl" she cried with fierce
irony by demanding the return OF
my slipper. suppoce! That's not
asking favor of you. You can be
sure I'll never do that again."
you also said you wouldn't come
to the park with me-" he taunted
yet, here you are. I'm amazed
Il didn't come with you!" she e1-
postulated heatedly. ~ only chased
you--as one does thief. That's en-
tirely different"
Nov that you've caught me. then.
why don't you call a-.op?" he mocked
He stopped and peered through the
undergrowth. Il believe l see a he'll
met over there now"
why do you keep harping on
that?r she asked with little less
heat. y don't want to have you ar
rested--I just want my slipper"
And l." he drawled--.I think I'll
finish my walk"
He turned on his heel and started
briskly up the path. She stood alone
In the grass watching his disappear
Ing back with growing concern. When
she understood that he really In
tended leaving her. she suddenly felt
her brave determination waverins
.Tom!" she cried despalringly.
"Tom. please come bach!"
He responded with startling eager
ness. Twenty steps brought him pant
ing to her side.
you've reconsideredf" he asked
expectantly
He- reproachful eyes became softer
as she read the hungry pleading in his
face
what else could dor" she walled
You're SO cruel and unrelenting. and
there's hole in my stocking. Did
You expect me to stay all night In the
park?"
Wen 60 home togethers" he ex-
ulted. edging closer.
She drew away with a quick move
ment. and held up her hand sternly
'The slipper nrst!" she com
manded.
He placed his hand In his pocket.
and then glanced ut her In deep en-
barrassment.
LET me go fnd taxi anu take
YOU horne,- he parried.
"The slipper!" she reiterated
He laughed uncertainty.
why, I'll have NO slipper" he con-
fessed
.My pump," she cried In dismay.
..Didn't you pick it up when you got
on the carr"
.Not r." he declared. Il didn't
know you'd lost It until you sat down
by me-" M
.But saw you stoop." she accused.
What did you pick upf"
"This," he answered. removing his
hand from his pocket and allowing