The Monte Vista journal., 1915-05-08
SECOND STORY

some specially acute torment must
reserved for the window dresser of
aroat city's shops. BY caravan and
Of and rail, by camel, ibex, mule
A horse come the treasures of the
nr,d into his cunning hands. Lofts
factories stifie human lives with
clint that the window dresser may
lure the throng.
II was particularly charming pair
s,npers, and the identical shade of
hhon she desired that caught and
ID Rita Deane's eyes. OF course,
rcbase was out of the question.
nce earliest remembrance her
ther had drummed into her pretty
psd. that personal vanity was the
ladiest of sins. And besides-Mrs.
barpe, Reverend Deane's housekeep-
held tightly to her arm.
surreptitiously, Rita fumbled the
oney in her purse. Yes, she had
bough-just enough.
She lifted her eyes to another win
bw on the seventh floor of the great
hce building across the street,
here James White, her fiance,
ansacted the affairs of his huge es-
te She could see him dimly, pacing
and down in his Office, now and
en- glancing at letter in his hand.
She had heard something Of the con-
nts of that letter from her father
efore he had dispatched it. In fact
had read it to her, after an exceed
ely painful scene. She had rebelled
being obliged to listen to the harsh
ctum: you, rich backslider in my
hurch, marry my daughter, Rita?
ever! How you met her puzzles me,
| have always carefully guarded
b."
Yes, the lines of that letter had
bared themselves like letters Of fire
pom her brain.
Again she turned to the window.
ome sudden impulse of instruction
othed within her soul.
Look! Look" she cried, excitedly,
pinting toward the end of the line
blocked traffic.
Curiosity won. AS Mrs. Shapes
on fingers relaxed upon their grip,
ita Deane's feet glided swiftly inside
10 doors Of the shop. 1t was a full
70 minutes before she returned, inno-
snay assuming an air of injury at the
ousekeeper's reproaches for her dis
ppearance. The slippers and the rib
on hidden beneath her little jacket
lore than made up for any punish
tent that could ever be hers.
Gladly Rita submitted to the clutch
the dragon housekeeper. The more
ulckly she reached home the sooner
ould she see the enchanting trans.
pmation the tinery made in her ap-
|earance.
Letter or no letter, dictation or no
notation, she would see James again.
once in her own room she studied
er reflection in the mirror, surprised
md that the sins had left no mark
pom her pretty face.
cautiously, bit fearfully, she
ooSed the masses of her hair from
aeir tight braids, binding them with
ne splendid ribbon, reveling in the
nect Its contrast worked in her ap.
)earance.
And then the slippers!
carried away with her delight, with
I. new sensation. this realization Of
er charms, her feet-those beauti-
.ny shod feet-began to perform
range capers, began to steal away
VI sense of caution. They moved
gay spirited steps, faster, ever
ss'er' until the dancing girl seemed
,oie IKE festive wood-sprite pris-
".u IN this house of gloom. And then
'"en hand fell upon her shoulder.
a hrm' iron hand 1t was;. a hand
,a' seemed to grip like five bands
.horeakable steel about the very
|oul of her.
'ue hand left her shoulder. She
a.eo not meet the look she knew was
pon her fathers face.
que felt little tug at her hair.
,w " d wild rage seized her as she
nv. we precious ribbon dangling
n.a- "er fathers hand, held in the
No. se, ups as though the very con-
(ow, se'led him. She lifted fierce eyes
N. 'l s MS own, hot protest upon her
no. vu' the habit Of a lifelong obedi-
I'M, , NJ. readily downed. His trem-
khIls h W., Indicated the slippers
M, n'S lips opened and closed with
h, ,,n y words coming. He moistened
Sull ~ WIN the tip Of his tongue, but
lrs,.s. e voice was hoarse with sup