The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-09
A BALKY CINDERELLA
BY lzoLA FORESTER.

And now it was over, the five weeks
Of travel through France and Nor
mandy, old Brittany and Holland. Phil
hardly heard what the count was say
ing as she leaned over the rail and
looked ahead at New York's skyline
OF tall buildings shaping uul OF the
morning haze. She knew perfectly
we'll that Aunt Isabel was watching
them from her deck chair even while
she discussed custom troubles with
the commodore and Larry.
The whole situation had been ex'
planned to Phil before she left her
stateroom.
We've done everything we could
for you. Philippa,' Aunt Isabel had
said plaintively. Here we have the |
royal suite or bridal suite. or what |
ever they call it, and everyone thinks.
Of course. you are your uncle's heiress.
l haven't denied 1t, for 1t helps i'm |
mensely, and both the commodore and !
myself are really quite fond Of YOU |
You've. been very sweet during the
trip and clothes have done wonders
for you, too, and there's no reason
why you shouldn't marry the count.
l have no doubt but what your uncle
would do the right thing by you,
though l do hope the castle Is we'll |
ventilated. He hates stuffy ruins, so
I'd never get him to visit you. I'm
sure your mother can't say but what
I've made you a success
~ coiI ildlU
| ing around on her little finger Larry's
boyish silver ring. Plain it was, just
| a band of silver worn thin, with his
! monogram engraved IN it, but it had
been on her hand since certain eve
ming the third day out. She regarded
! it thoughtfully. Larry had not been
definite He had not made any sort
! of a proper prosposal, as Aunt lisa
bel would have put it. He had only
slipped the ring from his own hand to
hers as it lay beside him on the rail
ing, and had tried to tell her how
much she meant to him, and how
some day when he had made a sue
cess he would go to the commodore
and ask him to give her to him.
Larry had been the unknown guam
tity in Aunt Isabels reckoning. The
commodore had met him in Paris,
stranded after trying to impress the
continent with the value Of certain
make of spark plugs. AS salesman
he was a failure. but the commodore
had made him private secretary. cour-
Ter and general major domo, and he
had won his regard and the surety of
work in the big general offices out
West.
Somehow there didn't seem to be
anything real excepting the little sill.
yer ring. She hated the Cinderella
clothes she wore and even the string
of pearls the commodore had given
her. And as she ss,W !.ayyy's. cheerful
boyish face she dld~ what Ted back
home called "Phil's trick" She
baked.
I'm awfully sorry" she told the
little, courteous count, giving him hel
hand, but | can't do as you wish
I'm not the commodore's heiress, you
know. I'm Just his niece by mar
rage, and they had both been kline
enough to give me this trip. haven
500 of my very own. Won't you 81
and talk to Aunt Isabel. please, ant
forget all about me?'
'Mademoiselle, IL honor you" HI
faltered over her hand. And Phi
knew he was grateful to her for hel
frankness. Then she turned to Larry
and they leaned over the railing to
gether happily.
"You turned him down, didn't your
Larry said.
She nodded her head. Il told hin
the real truth, and want to tell you
too, Larry" And she did-far NOR
completely than the count had heart
1t.
What are you going to do?" aske'
Larry.
]. Stay home and look after thing
and mother. I'm the only one tina
likes home life," she laughed. "Aun
Isabel said the only home for me wa
: either to dress me up and make me
social attraction, or else marry me OF
= to some adjacent farmer. We haven
] any adjacent farmers down our way
7 though, and I'm not a social success
b a bit"
Larrys strong young hand close'
] over hers. His face was close to he
fluffy windblown hair.
I Can | go and tell the commodor
he's got to raise my salary becaus
I'll have a wife to look after soon
Can /, Phil? know you care, sweet
I heart. You're blushing like fury
you don't quit it, I'm going to leal
over and kiss you before everybody
Can tell him, Phil?"
After we dock" said Phil content
eddy. Il don't want Aunt Isabel or tn
F! little count to faint away just this mir
o ute. They'll think we're perfect,
crazy, Larry"
n Who cares?' Larry retorte
d promptly. Il may not have any mold
e old castle or title to give you, bu
e I'll make you happy. dear. ! know
will"
/ Phil snuggled as close to his side a
;. she could get.
d "I'll bet a cookie" she whispered
I Cinderella just loved real pumpkin
l. and mice. Crystal slippers pine
awfully."
:, Copyright, 1915 by the Mcclure News
A paper Syndlcate.D