Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1915-09-09
A BALKY CINDERELLA
BY IzoLA FORESTER.

And now ii was over. the ave weeks
OF travel through Franco and Nor.
mandy, old brittany and Holland. Phil
hardly heard what tho count was say.
ing as she leaned over the rail and
looked ahead at New York's skyline
OF tall buildings shaping out OF the
morning haze. She knew perfectly
well 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. Phiiippa." Aunt Isabel had
said plaintively. Here We have the
royal suite or bridal suite. or what
over they call Il, and everyone thinks,
OF course. you arc your uncle's heiress.
i haven't denied 1t. for Il helps i'm
mensely, and both tho commodore and
myself are really quite fond OF you
You've been very sweet during the
trip and clothes have done wondera
Tor you. too, and there's no reason
why you shouldn't marry the count
l have no doubt but what your unclo
would do the right thing by you,
though | do hope the castle is well
ventilated. lie 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.
"Xna nx.4s ..aa
ing around ON her little finger Larrys
boyish silver ring. Plain Il was, Just
band OF silver worn thin, with his
monogram engraved on il, but II had
been on her hand since a certain eve.
ming the third day out She regarded
IL thoughtfully. Larry had not been
definite. He had not nade any sort
OF n proper prosposal. as Aunt lisa
bel would have put IL. Ho had only
slipped the ring from his own hand To
hers as IL lay beside him on tho rail.
ing, and had tried 10 tell her how
much she meant 20 him, and how
some day when he had made a sue.
cess he would go TO the commodore
and ask him To give her 10 him.
Larry had been tho unknown guam.
tity In Aunt Isabel's reckoning. Tho
commodore had met him In Paris.
stranded after trying to Impress the
continent with the value Of a certain
make OF spark plugs. As a salesman
he was failure. but the commodore
had made him private secretary, cour.
Ter and general major domo, and he
UNI hNa awA a..
work in tho big general Offices out
West.
Somehow sthara didn't seem 20 DO
anything real excepting tho little sill.
yer ring. She hated tho Cinderella
clothes she wore and even tho string
OF pearls tho commodore had given
her. And as she saw Larry'B cheerful.
boyish face she did what Ted back
home called "PhiIs trick" She
baked.
I'm awfully sorry" she told the
little, courteous count, giving him her
hand, but | can't do as you wish.
I'm not tho commodore's heiress, you
know. I'm Just his niece by mar.
riage. and they had both been kind
enough TO give mo this trip. haven't
500 OF my very own. Won't you go
and talk to Aunt Isabel, please. and
forget all about me?"
"Mademoiselle, IL honor you" he
faltered over her hand. And Phil
know he was grateful to her for her
frankness. Then sho turned 10 Larry,
and they leaned over tho railing to-
getber happily.
You turned him down. didn't your"
Larry said.
She nodded her head. II told him
the real truth. and want to tell you.
too. Larry" And she did-far more
completely than the count had heard
Il.
What are you going to dor" asked
Larry.
Stay homo and look after things
and mother. I'm tho only one that
likes home life." she laughed. Aunt
Isabel said the only home for me was
either 10 dress mo up and make me ii
social attraction. or else marry me of
TO some adjacent farmer. We haven't
any adjacent farmers down our way,
though. and I'm not a social SUCCESS
a bit"
Larry's strong young hand closed
over hers. His face was close 10 her
fluffy windblown hair.
Can l go and aell the commodore
he's got to raise my salary because
III have a wife to look after soon?
Can !. Phil? ] know you care. sweet
heart. You're bluBhing like fury. II
you don't quit 1t. I'm going TO lean
over and kiss yor before everybody.
Can ] tell him, Phn2"
After we dock" said PHI. content
edly. Il don't want Aunt Isabel or the
little count to faint away just this min
ute. They'll think we're perfectly
crazy. Larry"
Who cares?" Larry retorted
promptly. 4 may not have any moldy
old castle or title 70 give you, but
I'll make you happy. dear / know I
will"
Phil snuggIed as close to his side as
she could get
I'm bet a cookie" she whispered,
Cinderella just loved real pumpkins
and mice. Crystal slippers pinch
awfuIly."
Copyright. 1915. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndieate)
Alcohol From Potatoes.