Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-24
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
A CINDERELLA IN KHAKI
By Ruth ". Baker

LIE WAS, without doubt, a very lone
IL some and very homesick young SOL
der but why. he asked himself, had he
stepped forward so eagerly when the
captain had read the carefully worded
invitation to dinner for the lonesomest
and most homesick soldier boy in your
camp? Already he felt depressed and
irritable at the thought of dining with
strangers. The party would probably
consist of giggling girls, he told himself
bitterly. However. here he was, and
evidently nearing his destination.
will you let me of at Van Dyke
street, please" he said to the conductor.
Get off at Arbuckle. Van Dykes at
the top of the hill, replied the con-
ductor.
TOP Of the hill" thought the boy.
Good heavens, and It is beginning TO
snow. too, Back 10 camp for me before
it is TOO LATE ."
"Arbuckle A~rbuckle!" roared the con-
ductor, and Stanley c., like a beaten
animal. skunk from the warm car into
the driving snow.
All. my boy called a cordial voice.
"I was afraid you weren't coming and
to Stanley's ama2ement a luxurious IL
mouslne rolled to his side. the door
snapped open and he found his hand
being vigorously shaken by a very portly
and very likable gentleman. Drive like
mad, James," called the gentleman, "or
that roast won't be At to eat"
GLORY be-" wondered Stanley. lam ]
Cinderella
He became firmly convinced that his
fairy godmother had at last remember.
ed his existence, for all through the Won
derful evening that followed gifts from
Paradise seemed to be showering upon
him. The dinner was not to be passed
by lightly, but he was never quite sure
what he had eaten. for directly oppo-
site him a vision in pink dimpled and
smiled, and he caught feeting glimpses
of wonderful dark eyes. eyes which he
had never believed existed outside of
books.
After dinner the vision, Miss Marjorie
by name, played wonderful. dreamy
music. Stanley was quite sure that he
saw the portly gentleman kiss his slim
little wife when Marjorie played an old
love song. He had a very pleasant
feeling of belonging in this happy. in.
timate little family circle and wonder.
full visions unfolded themselves before
him. The voice Of his host recalled him
from the building of his air castles.
our boy is in France. you know" the
older man was saying. "and we would
like to think that over there anothe,
family is taking a lonely lad into theii
I home tonight"
Il hope so, SIR replied Stanley. earn
estly, land | assure you that my owl
mother and father will thank you from
the bottom of their hearts for your kim
hospitality to me. ] had "A pretty fin,
case of the blues this afternoon" h,
laughed. 1t was easy to laugh whel
the most beautiful girl in the world wa!
smiling at one in such a friendly fash
ion.
All too soon the clock struck 10 an,
Stanley rose to depart. AT least Gin
derella had until midnight" thought tn,
boy enviously. But it was time 70
him to say goodnight to the kind peo
pie who had taken him. a stranger int,
their home and treated him like a so,
and brother. Brother! Well, not IL h,
knew it,
He could hardly be blamed If whe,
he said goodnight to Marjorie, he hel,
her hand a bit more closely and a hi
longer than convention demanded.
81 do hope that you will come again.
said the girl, shyly, n Stanley, draw
ing a long breath, exclaimed: you ius
bet | will, and beginning tonight m,
fairy godmother has a place in m,
prayers"
Marjorie looked slightly puzzled, bu
the arrival Of the motor prevented fur
Their conversation. As-she turned W
from the door a dark object lying O,
the floor caught her attention. 1t wa
a glove, a mans glove, and she pickle,
it up. II will send It to him tomorrow,
she thought, calmly; then tossed 1t upo'
the table and ran upstairs. furious I
find hat her cheeks were burning an,
/, her heart humping strangely.
The mornings mail brought the fol
lowing letter:
MY dear Fairy Princess-CindereI
) (s that the masculine form of Cinder
/ ella y mas lost HIS sioNe' fiis idiry goo
!. mother informs him that II may b
found at the palace of a certain prln
cess. Reversing the old tradition, ma
. Cinderell come in search of his Loot han
z not fo~ot-coveTing?"
1t is almost needless to add that tn
answer of the Princess Marjorie wa
yes to the letter, and also to tn
. question that not long after was aske
in the fragrant dimness OF the conserve
tory.
And shall we ride off on our honey
moon in a pumpkin. my princess?" aske
-, Stanley with a smile.
; in a shoe box, II you like" said MAJ
jorie. I'm anything, dearest, 30 long q
n we go together"
The next complete noyelette-Litt
/. Dan Cupid.