Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-09-05
DAILY NOVELETTE,
OLD SHOES
scNIIHAT'S the idea, commodore
by Florence Birr,lngham

I 0uet. and shoe shine ~
/ Ensign Bobs Alert Strengthened ur
/ and faced his qucstioner nonchalantly.
"And no place to go, ! suppose you
| intended to add" .
/ A choruscd shout from the listening
sailors interrupted him.
with a slam of the door the subject
of their jests disappeared from sight.
"IIc's great one" chortled curly
! headed Dick. Hes clear, sheer
wowau- hater.
"IIc must be cured of that" came
from Sunny Jim. putting calmly away
in the corner. "He never had mother
nor sisters to initiate him into the
womanly ways. guess he needs o
gentle hazing."
ole sure does" assented Jack Hor
nor vigorously.
And I've got it. fellows, and nc
criticism coming. Doesn't he have tC
take the boatload of us up to Lady
Bountifuls party tomorrow night2 He
alwpys manages somehow to escape fes
tivitics by sneaking out to smoke and
watch the moon. This time wen max,
tho generous hostess give him lady
to lead him into supper
The following night fell clear and
calm. The row to the mainland from
the island was accomplished in a few
minutes. Bobs Alert sat in calm. sat
istied contemplation. He kept blissful
silence as he piloted his little crew
mp TO the portals of the massive white
house from which came light, music and
the sound of joyous festivities. Sud
denly he paused in panic
You fellows go in" he urged
earnestly. 'I'll wait out here for YOU.
There ought to be some one to watch
the boat anyhow"
A dozen voices in clamorous uproar
beloved for him to come. There seemed
nothing for him to do but yield to
! the heavy hand of fate.
OF sudden he found himself in a
chattering, bustling throng of light
gowned women. every one of whom
seemed to his confused senses to be ad
dressing him individually. He heard
apologies. far off, hazy, offered for the
absence of some one-some widow. Their
they told him with great relief ant
joy that this absentee had kindly sent
her niece as substitute.
/ There was confusion, much conversa
! tion and introductions, after which he
found himself walking in to supper with
young lady's hand placed shyly or
his arm. He squirmed inwardly and
rebelled outwardly. Every dish at the
table he left untouched,
/ Of sudden a terrible thought seized
him.
Il suppose you'll be wanting tc
danceT' he questioned savagely.
'Oh, DEAR" sighed the young lady
appalled,, Il do hope l won't have to-
l don't go so very well only in the
waltz. But I'll try if you really want
me to-
Her tone of evident distress caused
him to look at her quickly.
IF l want to! l thought that was
all girls did-dance and eat cand ""
His companion eyed him with open
eyed wonder.
MY goodness she gasped. "Nc
wonder auntie got impatient with IN,
and sent me out to get used to tn,
young folks. She knows all about par.
ties, but I'm afraid you find me stupit
and uninteresting. I'm sorry you wer,
disappointed since she couldn't come
never hardly dance and I don't ca
candy all the time, only when l &c
it, but / do love fudge"
The indignant listener snorted in dis
gust.
Fudge. If that doesn't sound ius
like girl. Fudge, and ice cream soda
and foolish ,frocks costing a pile o
money"
"Why no, CONSERVATION appeared il
the small face before him. II mad
this dress myself. I think it's yer,
pretty"
"Pretty! Well, l should say yes" h
encouraged gently. II like to see girl
in white, miss
You can call me Daisy" she sai
prettily, smiling again. Indeed, In
very glad you like my dress. Aunt
said looked very nice tonight. All bu
my shoes and they're quite shabby an
DID,"
old" exclaimed Bobs in astonish
ment. why, that's nothing. Don
you know there's an old shoe 70
every -.
He stopped, foundering misernbl,
flushing in embarrassment. His litti
friend didn't seem to notice. Instead
her bps beamed with smiles.
That's just what my aunt aIway
says. There's an old shoe for ever
glass slipper, and oftentmes the oil
shoes find just as pleasant paths i
life
The man breathed in relief.
, Your aunt's a bright woman afte
ALL he said devoutly. "She know
something"
That night a weary crew waite
down on the beach for somewhs
tardy commander. The sleepy sailor
were too tired to tease, all but tn
curious Jack Horner.
How did you find your JiIl?" h
l queried experimentally. did you tai
; about the moon together?'
NO" came the calm reply, "W
talked about old shoes mostly. 1 thin
they figure very Importantly in life
history, especially at weddings"
The next complete novelette, 9Th
Greatest Of These"