Gilpin observer., 1918-09-26
CINDERELLA'S HEEL
BY GRACE wEArHERsy

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Margle wanted q pair of white
pumps. That was how 1t all started.
This summer. the girls In the office
wore white a good deal. and Margie
wanted pair Of the dainty white
pumps to match her new white linen
dress. She took few of her cherish.
ed dollars. and bought the coveted
shoes.
The next morning, arrayed In spot.
less white, she entered the office, and
went to her desk. A feeling Of sup
pressed excitement was In the air. and
Margie presently asked one Of the girls
what 1t was all about.
''Do you mean to tell me you haven't
heard" asked Ruth. "Well. 1t is this.
The senior partners son, Bob East
man. has just finished college, and he
is to Join the firm as third partner.
They say he is fine fellow. He comes
today. Say, but your dress is pretty"
In the dull office this was indeed
piece of news. Margie was glad she
had worn her new clothes. II wonder
what he Is like" she unused. The
morning seemed unusually long, and
the new partner had not come. By af.
ternoon the girls were fretful, and very
much disappointed. At Ave o'clock,
Ruth closed her desk, put on her hat
and went down to the street. There,
she gave little gasp of ,dismay. The
streets had just been sprinkled and ev-
erywhere were little puddles of muddy
Water.
q "Oh. my poor little slippers, they
will get all dirty!" she sighed. She
could not stand on the sidewalk till
they dried, SO she began to cross the
busy street. stepping gingerly to avoid
the puddles.
The traffic was very thick that after
noon, and as Margie lodged truck,
she would very nearly run into troll
ley. Suddenly, her slender French
drain, and stuck there. She tugged at
it in vain. but couldn't bulge it. Tears
of vexation came to her eyes. blur
ring her sight. The trucks became one
mass, and as she stood there, tugging
and pulling, a strong hand was placed
on her shoulder.
"Step out Of your SHOE" the man
commanded tersely. Margie did as she
was told, and held her foot in the air,
SO as to prevent soiling her stocking.
She laid her hand on the broad back
bending beside her, to steady her. The
stranger gave one vigorous pull, and
the slipper was loose but the heel hnd
come of. 1t was a pitiable sight now.
The once spotless white pump was
now heelless and very dirty. Margie
gazed blankly at her ruined shoe, and
then at the stranger. All he said was
one little word. but that one had 4
world Of meaning in it. This was no
time for thought, however. and the
stranger realized 1t. He assisted Mar
gle to the pavement. and hailed q pass.
ing tan and put her into 1t. There
was NO help for 1t, and Margie made
the best Of bad business. Tue gruff
stranger was really very kind. She
tucked her shoeless foot up under her
skirt, and leaned back on the cushions.
4he1, guided by an impulse, she told
how the shoes meant SO much to her.
'Oh. say" he began awkwardly.
'fets go to Cameyer's. and get a new
patr."
"Thank you, no." replied Margie,
primly. at isn't at all necessary, and
couldn't think Of letting you" She
remained firm In her decision, and all
he could say did not move her.
When they reached her door. the
,,tp AAl ckn
and rang the bell for her. Suddenly.
he spoke to her in 4 low tone.
"Good-by, Cinderella. am going to
keep this slipper Of yours" He put
the ruined shoe. mud and all. into his
pocket. and lifting bis hat. ran quietly
down the steps and hurried away.
The next morning the fat landlady
discovered an oblong box on the steps.
1t was addressed to ~Miss Cinderella, "
and Margie blushinxfy told her that
she had a friend who called her by
that name. 1t contained pair Of the
daintiest white slippers that ever Q
girl had. There was a little note in
side which read: ~Forgive me. Gin
.derella. but I couldn't help It."
Margie wore the new slippers to the
office that morning. At eleven O'Clock
the door marked "Private" opened,
and old Nj. Eastman walked into the
nflce followed by his son. Margie ut
tened a little cry Of surprise. It was
her stranger friend. As he was In
troduced to her. he surprised his faith
er by saying:
Miss Kingston and have met be-
fore. Good morning, Cinderella, how
are the little slippers today7"
few months later Nargie sent In
her resignation, and a flashing dia-
mond on her left hand explained her
action. On her wedding morning she
stood before her mirror and gazed at