Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-03-20

Leave II, sne Salo, meuihs' anu
be gone"
81 couldn't. 1t wouldn't be gallant
at all, don't you know. The prince
himself put the slipper on Cinderella
"Iut this is a modern instance, and
a prosaic world. Men are no longer
gallants, but business men or club
gossips; and you do not look like a
business man."
81 never belonged to 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 and Venus in lavishment!
Besides, it is all very improper"
she added.
"The shoe?" cried.
mo; the shoe is proper enough
musingly.
you admit 1t. then!'-joyfully.
Il refer to the dialogue between two
persons who have not been intro
duced."
Family came the music from tho
ballroom. They We're playing the
waltzes from "'rhe Queens Lace
Handker,A ief" The agony Of an ex-
temporization seized me.
"Strauss!" l cried. flourishing the
slipper. "The blue Danube, the moon
shine on the water, the tittle.tattle OF
the leaves, man and woman all, oil
alone! Romance. love. off to the
at is far cry to Cinderella" she
interrupted.
"Ah. yes. Music moves me 80
easily"
Indeed! 1t is scarcely noticeable"
-slyly.
Are you Cinderella. then"
81 do not say So"
"Will yoN dance with me to prove
1t one way or the other?"
Certainly not."-rather indig.
nantly.
why not?"
There are any number Of reasons"
she replied
Name just one"
IL do not know you"
"You ought to,"-with double
meaning which went for absolutely
nothing.
MY angle of vision obscures that
idea"
'If you will stand up :" ! hest
tatingly suggested.
81 am perfectly comfortable where
| am, with an oblique glance at the
doorway. .
Il am convinced that you are the
Cinderella; | cannot figure 1t out
otherwise"
do not figure at all; simply leave
the shoe"
1T 1t too near twelve o'clock for
that. Besides. wish to demolish the
pumpkin theory. It's all tommy-rot
about changing pumpkins into chari
OTIS, unless you happen to be success
full pie-merchant."
She bit her lips and tapped her
cheek with the fan. Odd l mention
the bloomy cheeksD
perhaps ] am only one OF Cinder
elias elder sisters"
THAT would be very fortunate.
You will recollect that the elder sis
ters cut off their"
Good gracious."
"Cut off their toes In the mad effort
to capture the prince" | continued.
But | am not trying to capture any
prince, not even fairy prince; and
wouldn't"
"Cut off your toes?" suggested ques'
tioningly.
"Prolong this questionable conversa-
tion, only"
"You cannot stop 1t till you have the
SHOE" said.
Only" she went on determinedly,
II am 30 comfortable here that do
not care to return to the ballroom just
at presen,."
81 never expected such a full com.
pliment;" and l made her my most en-
gaglng bow.
Il am afraid you will have to cut off
your toes to get into that shoe, ma
liciously
81 could expect no less than that
from you. You keep coming closer to
my ideal every moment"
She shrugged dsdainfully and as
sumed a bored expression that did not
deceive me in the least.
Since you are so determined to con-
dioln On
one you know. An introduction is alb
solutely necessary" She seemed i'm
movable on this point.
And the moment l turned my back
presto! away would go Cinderella.
and l should be in the dark as much
as ever regarding the pumpkins. No,
thank you. Be good, and confess that
you are Cinderella"
"Sir, this really ceases to be anus
ing" Her fan closed with snap.
1T was serious the moment l en-
tered and saw you," replied frankly.
She smiled in spite Of the anger
which sparkled in her eyes. OF course,
If she became downright angry I
should tell who was. only 1t would
spoil everything.
And you do not know me?" I said
dejectedly. do you mean to tell me
that you have never dreamed of any
Prince Charming?"
II cannot say have."-icily.
you say you do not know me-"
began. Let me see,"-narrowing my
eyes as one does who attempts to re-
call dim and shadowy past. Didn't
you wear your hair in two plaits down
your back?"
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