The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-07-19

The closet wasn't at all dark, ana
the boots and shoes could see each
other quite distinctly. They were ar
ranged neatly, partly because Hannah
liked to have things in order. and part
ly because the closet itself was quite
new Closets like new brooms ana
some other things, use their influence
for good with more energy before they
grow discouraged.
1t was a slender, artstocratic-looking
patent-leather slipper that FIRST broke
the silence after Hannah had closed the
door and left them alone. The others
sometimes called her "a stuck-up
thing,s because she perched herself so
saucily on a ridiculously curved heel.
and because she and her running mate
were really somewhat more highly
polished than any On the others she
had had less exercise lately than she
needed: and 80 she spoke rather pet
ulantly, as her curiosity overcame her
habitual reserve.
"Do tell me what liz the matter, some
bodyl why were we flung all damned
up In boxes where we could hardly
breathe. and then expected to set up
housekeeping in this strange place,
which certainly smells of fresh paint?'
She shifted contemporary
IT'S a very nice. new place said the
soft, motherly looking blue wool knit
ted boot, reprovingly. She was by far
the oldest of the colony, although she
had had really less experience than
most of the others. In fact, she was so
old that she had quite lost her figure,
never anything to boast of; and she
cuddied down in shapeless heap,
which made her look extremely COM
Portable. TO say the least. 1T means
that the family have come here for the
summer. and that while you, Miss
Dancing slipper. may not have much to
do, things viii be iivelier than ever for
some of US She glanced around over
the colony.
HIM! | should say so" The rubber
soIed tennis shoes chuckled. and nudged
each other significantly. TIN ready.
continued one OF them IN loud voice.
"Rosalies a winner, and I'm ready to
help her out. My, but you ought to see
her knock a ball about''
The dancing slippers shuddered. and
the one who had spoken before exciaim-
ed haughtily:
I'm not used to slang. and I'm quite
sure Resale never knocks a ball. She
glides like fairy. and speaks always
in a gentle voice like mine; and there's
the room. Mile. Lespinasse said once
that she looked like a lowering butter
fly"
The tennis shoes were quite abashed,
for they were completely fascinated by
the scornfui beauty who spoke, and
would have liked TO please her; but one
of the stout broad-toed, rather com
mon looking shoes that stood at the
end of the row gave a howl of derision.
'Oh, gentle voice. indeed Oh, hoy
ering butterfly, indeed. III bet my
lacings you'd like to know where
took Rosaiie today. and I assure you.
you never heard such screaming and
shouting since YOU were shoe leather.
Yes. my lady. took her up TO the sixth
branch of the oak tree beyond the pas
ture and she shrieked across to Harold.
who was at the barn--a mile away. /
think. HIM. that girl lowering but
terfiy'i Not much
The dancing slippers nearly tainted.
and trernb led on their heels with In
dignation. But the stout shoe went on
mercilessly:
Then where do you suppose we took
her? Down to the brook; yes. sir,
down to the brook Feel Of me--Tm
damp yet" But his next neigheor, a
handsome high foot with silk factngs
and shiny buttons. drew herself away
shrinkingly. and pleaded In very re-
fined tones:
ooh. please don't touch me. II I
should get damp, l. couldn't possibly
take Rosaiie to church next sunday and
attend to her religious instruction.
Sometimes on week days ] have her
make calls with her mother, to under
stand social duties. also, | cannot i'm
agine that Rosaiie would do such
dreadful things as TO climb trees and
knock balls 1t sounds really quite
common"
Considering that we've taken Rosa
lie to school all the spring / fancy you
upon needn't worry over her education,
said the righthand man of the low-cut
low -heeled pair in the middle of the
row. I'VE have nearly worn ourselves
out in that service, while you look as
spick and span as II you had never
stepped outside the closet" The
speakers indignation increased Just
look at the rub on my side. where the
skin ia fairly OF; and look at the jab in
my brother, where Rosalie's bicycle cut
a piece right out. We've been through
times that try mems soles, now l as
sure you. Nobody here has suffered
like us: but 1 guess. my friend. and
he looked eompassionateiy at stout
Broad Toes--'I guess you'll get more
of the same sort before the summer Is
over"
"Rosalie thinks too much Of us to
give us rough treatment" said the sec
ond gIove-kid, complacently. In fact
we've never walked out much. anyway,
and
Yes" interrupted slipper
that had hitherto kept silence. IF you
want to know what Resale think OF
you, I'll tell you. Do you remember
the day when Hannah came and put
you on the shelf at home and took us
out? Well. she carried us to Resale
downstairs on the sofa. and when
Rosalie put US on she said, % Hannah,
you angel! what bliss to get rid OF
those horrid things and get into these
darlings" We soothed her poor tired
feet all the afternoon" Booth slippers
ruffled and rustled their big black silk
bows In delight over the remembrance
| The glove-kids protested that that
hannAned on a day whep Miss RnSaHs