Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-05-28

CHAPTER I.
THE MAGIC sHoEs.

CHATTER L.
THE MAGIC SHOES.
The two children considered
another with curious attention. UNI
smiling, intent. The boy tightanea
his grip on the iron grille that closed
the areaway Of the house from in
truders. A cool defiance hardened
his thin, unchildish faoa As he await
ed the others action; q face dark IA
tint as a southern Europeans yet not
Latin in form or expression and Light
ed by a pair Of brilliant, ltght~gsAS
eyes. At eleven years OF age. it Al
ready expressed character and
strength now altogether suaien>
There was ~sullenness, too-not crinE>
ing or appcal-in the gesture with
which he drew his ragged garments
closer about him and leaned against
the gate. This attitude even the very
ognised~ She spoke to him with half
coaxing timidity:
You're not goin' to run away to-
day, boy?"
Her voice was very childish, thin
and pure, and she ltsped engaginglv.
The boys expression slightly relaxed
its guard.
1OW 40 you Know what ! o1o 0tn>
er days?" he encountered.
Il was in the window, behind the
goldfs'. I saw you u away when
Clark came out. Did you come to
look at my goldRs', boy?" .
He glanced at the beautiful and
costly aquarium plainly visible
through the window. but he dtsdained
the pretext innocently offered.
"No-to get warm" he confessed.
IT'S cold enough, amt it?"
Haven't you any overcoAt, boy"
I'D wear it II I had, wouldn't II"
The fve-year-old pondered that
stone step of the handsome house.
She herself was clothed with all the
luxury that love could choose or good
taste sanction. The hem Of a fine.
embroidered frock showed beneath
! her white velvet coat; her dimpled
face, framed in shining auburn curls
looked out from a white velvet and
silk bonnet most quantity becoming.
The coat had Z deep collar Of white
fur and a diminutive mum was sus-
pended from a silk cord about her
neck. She was warm and rosy in the
biting wind which gnawed into the
boys very fibre. leaving him pinched
and wan. Across the broad sidewalk,
a glistentng coupe and pair stood in
patient attendance. At that day, the
automobile had not yet superseded
the horse Al a fashionable transport.
Il wis you had a comfy coat. boy"
lifting her red-brown eyes to the
pauper's.
Thanks" he acknowledged the
kindness. surprised and softened in
spite Of himself, and. boy-ltke, as
Stunning gruffness. I'm all right
here"
rs it warmer to stand there?"
Sure! The heat comes up from
your kitchen, don't IT."
idea Of that meagre overflow having
value. She looked down toward the
area, and for the first time saw his
feet in their pitiful, broken tatters Of
shoes, next to naked in the inch-deep
snow that whitened New York.
The change that swept her face waS
that Of Mortified awakening. Of plen-
ty first klimpsing the existence Of
want. Her infantile serenity vas alb
pathy amounting almost { anguish.
boy, you haven't any shoes! Boy,
your poor feets!"
The cry vas sharp. and sharply
broken off. On the moment she was
down upon the step, curled in a ball
of chubby proportions, her inexperi-
enced fingers tugging at the buttons
Of her boots. Before the boy grasped
her intention, she had scrambled up
again and thrust into his hands two
small white shoes. 4
II have lots more" she painted.
Blue ones, an pink ones wis tassels!
Take 'enn, boy-please."
"Here!" he, cried, startled and con
founded. What are you doing, kid?
! couldn't veal them, anyhow. Here.
take them back"
Shaking her curls r eyes fire.
bright with excitement, she %retreated
Sell EN- an buy new ones" She
developed unexpected wisdom. II
want you to. Please, niceboy!"
The house door above them clicked
and swung open, checking his pro-
test. The child flashed one dazzling
smile to her pensioner and darted like
d snowbird acros the sidewalk in her
little white stockings to Chamber into
the coupe and herself in q
to v her naughtiness, or saint.
Illness.
She was just in time. Two ladies.
n quite old. came slowly down the
steps and crossed the few PAGES to
the carriage. AS they entered the
doorway, guarded by an impassive
footman, the dazed boy started for
ward. =
Excuse me, ma'am." he said, try
ing to intercept the elder woman.
She motioned him away.
II give to beggars. Come,
Katherine"
The younger followed her
companion into the coupe without a
glance aside for the petitioner. The
footman closed the door. and the car
riage was whirled away by the i'm
patient horses. The boy was left
standing alone, holding in his chilled
shoes almost as fine a white satin,
and family fragrant.
"A pretty comedy" spoke a
smooth, lazy voice behind him. But
the little one gives like q princess,
eh?"
The boy turned. to face a gentle
man who had come from the other
side Of the street and now stood light
ily tapping his walking-stick on the
pavement.
How is that, sir =" the boy asked
mechanically. He was still bewilder-
ed and shaken beyond ali proportion
to the event.
why. with both hands" smiled the
other; with a royal disregard OF Mt
ness or consciousness"
She looks like-Iike a princess
like princessAs I've seen in pictures
the boy agreed.
bah. Ia fairy-books!. Most prin.
cesses look like bAr-maids." the NAL
returned. Say that she looks as q
princess should, my friend; Or, bet
ter still. say that she has q prince
Nv heart. The heart-thers 10 the on.
Nv royalty. the only domain worth