The Washington herald., 1913-02-02

| | water, and was gone.
, Leave it," she said, melting, ''and be
| gone"
Il couldn't. 1t wouldn't be gallant al
:, all, don't you know. The prince himself
put the slipper on Cinderella"
J But this is a modern instance and a
prosaic world. Men are no longer gal
lants, but business men or club gossips;
| and you do not look like business man. !"
Il never belonged TO a club in my
: life"
You do not look quite so unpopular
as all that"
A witty woman. To be pretty and witty
at the same time-the gifts of Minerva
Venus in lavishment!
Besides. It is all very improper" she
added.
The shoe?" I cried.
NO: the shoe is proper enough
musingIy.
You admit 1t. then"'-joyfuIly
Il refer to the dialogue between two
persons who have not been introduced -
Conventions! Formality, Detestable
things, always setting romance at arm $
length and making truth desire TO wear
fashionable clothes"
Nevertheless, this is improper" she
repeated.
why. it doesn't matter at ALL" I re-
piled, negligently. We both have been
invited to this house to dance; that is
to say. our hostess would not invite any
Objectionable persons. What you mean
to say is, unconventional And I hate
conventions and formality."
Are you a poet. hen?'-with good
natured derision.
''Oh. no; | have an earning capacity
and a pleasant income
She really laughed this time. and
vaguely recalled pearls and coral and
murmuring brooks.
Won't you please do that again." I
asked eagerly.
i But there must have been something
in my gaze that frightened mirth away,
for she frowned.
Family came the music from the ball
| room. They were playing the waltzas
from The Queens Lace Handkerchief" ="
! The agony OF an eXtemporization seized
me
| Strauss" I cried, fourishing the slip
per. The Blue Danube. the moonsnine
| on the water. the tittle-tattle of the
leaves. a man and a woman all. all alone,
! Romance love. OFF to the war! '.' "
1T is a far cry to Cinderella" she in
terrupted.
"Ah. yes. Music moves me so easily"
Indeed: 1t is scarcely noticeable."-
slyly.
Are you Cinderella. them"
II did not say So
VIII you dance with me to prove 1t
one way or the other"
''Certainly not."-rather Indignantly.
! Why not
There are any number of reasons"
! she replied.
! Name just one.
/ Il do not know YOU
You ought to''-with a double mean
ing which went for absolutely nothing.
My angle Of vision obscures that idea"
IF YOU will stand up" I hesitating-
y suggested.
Il am perfectly comfortable where I
am.'-with an ohIique glance at the door
| way
Il am convinced that you are the Gin
derella; l cannot figure it out other
| wise"
DO not figure at all; simply leave the
shoe
1t is too near 12 o'clock for that Be
! sides. l wish TO demolish the pumpkin
| theory It's all tOmmy-rOt about chang
ing pumpkins into ChariCts. unless you
happen to he successful pie merchant"
She bit her lips and tapped her cheek
with the fan. did mention the b!oomy
: cuecks?D
Perhaps ! am only one OF CinderelIa's
! elder sisters"
THAT would he very fortunate. You
will rccollect that the elder sisters cut
off their
Good gracious
: cut or their toes in the mad effort 10
/ capture the prince" I continued.
But am not trying to capture any
/ prince, not even a fairy prince; and
Wouldn't
cut of your toes?'' I suggested ques-
tioningly.
'Prolone this questionable convNrsa-
lyon cannot stop il till you have the
shoe" I said.
only" she went on determinedly, '1
am so comfortable here that I do not
care to return 10 the ballroom just at
present"
"I never expected such a full compli-
men-.' and 7 made her my most en-
GaginE bow.
Il am afraid YOU will have to cut off
YOUR toes to get into that shoe, ma
liciously.
Il could expect no less than that from
you. You keep coming closer 10 my
| ideal every moment
She shrugged disdairfully and as
sumcd a bored expression that did not
| deceive me in the least.
since You are SO determined to con-
| tinuc this dialogue. 80 and fetch some
| one you know. An introduction is alb
solutely necessary She seemed immOv-
able on this point.
And AT the moment | turned my hacR
presto, away would go Cinderella. and
! I should he in the dark as much as ever
regarding the pumpkins No. I thank
you BE good. and confess that you are
Cinderella"
Sir. this really ceases to be amusing.
Her fan closed with a snap.
'It was serious the moment ! entered
and saw YOU | replied frankly.
Il ought to be annoyed excessively.
You are a total stranger; | declare that
l never saw you before in all my life.
II is true that We are guests in the same
house but that does not give privilege
to this particular annoyance. Here l am.
talking to you as if it were distinctly
propeT."
II cannot say that you have put your
foot in il yet."-havinE recourse TO the
slipper again. | was having fine time.
She smiled in spite Of the anger which
sparkled in her eyes. OF course, II she
became downright angry l should tell
who l was, only it would spoil every
thing.
And you do not know me?" I said.
deiectedIy DO you mean to tell me
that YOU have never dreamed OF any
Prince Charming"
II cannot say ] have"-icily.
A flock Of young persons came in nois-
ily. but happily they contented them
selves with a bowl of lemon punch at
the other end of the conservatory.
sat down in the Roman chair which
stood at the side of the window-seat. /