Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1919-02-06
Little
Golden Slippers
BY AGNES C. BROCAN
lCopyrlght. l0ls. western Newspaper unlOn.l

strange country he had lost his way.
Here he was, near the end of his
well-earned furlough, and not one
eventful thing had happened. So long
he had looked forward to seeing lit
tie corner of France under favorable
conditions, and now, tonight, at the eli
max of his holiday, he was lost on a
rough hilly road. How far the friend
had brought him in his car, dropping
him off at a crossroads, Dean did not
know. Nor how many miles his unac-
cuStomed feet had since tranped the
way
He had been too much absorbed in
his own thoughts to take heed of time
or distance. Long-reaching shadows
now told him that twilight would soon
descend upon the unfamiliar road; the
cottages he remembered passing here
and there had quite disappeared. The
very landscape seemed TO have for
saken air. He wondered if he had
stumbled into more wreckage of the
Huns. Then, like u CLEAN of promise,
for II was growing cold as well as
dark, down the road streamed a light.
Dean, glancing ahead, saw that the
light came from the rear of turreted
mansion.
What" asked girrsh voice, "do
you wish, MonsieurY"
II am soldier of the United States
army" Dean replied. 81 would like
information to continue my way back
to the city and if possible, some food"
Dean smiled. 81 am very hungry" he
boyiShly confessed
we can refuse an American soldier
10 assistance" came back the reas-
Sured voice
Heavy bolts were withdrawn and the
door opened wide Dean Travis caught
his breath in establishment and admi-
ration.
The little creature before him, who
spoke his own language perfectly, had
all the characteristic charm of "a
piQuant French maiden.
Hat in hand, Dean followed down
long halls to the banquet room, from
which window the light had led. Be
meath one cleaning chandelier small
table was placed for the evening neal
which a bowed old French woman was
even then serving. In French the girl
called for an extra plate, placating the
mumbling woman with the explanation
that this was an American soldier.
She was all eager questioning.
How far has the allied army adj
vanced and must not victory soon be
! theirs? Some of those unspeakable
i Germans passed through our village,
/ she told him. "'That is why it is de-
I serted That Is why | am alone with
! old Genie; she would not leave me.
| They came through the house in search
of food and P'-she laughed. pleased
with memory of her own daring-"l
stepped out of my upper room upon a
! long stone ledge. had but TO creep
/ on little way TO where thick vines
/ covered me completely. | could even
| peep at the mems rough faces through
my green curtain, then--they were
/ gone.
II watched them go out through the
gates before | came down to find
Genie, trembling. Since then we have
been alone"
why" demanded Dean, edo you
stay here? Why do you not go
away?"
, "Where2' asked the girl. She held
out empty palms. 1--WE have nothing
She laughed again, as if the forlorn
fact were amusing II had even no
shoes: mine had worn to nothing, so
| went TO the attic and found there
these golden slippers. An ancestors,
perhaps-or my mothers. There were
velvet gowns only in tie chest in the
attic, and satins. Soon Genie viii be
going about her tasks in trailing
satin. When the war is over do you
know what ] shall do? | shall go TO
America-some way--I don't know
how. Were you homesick when you
came over, my solder2 Wen, so / am
homesick; always-always.
"But this is your homer Dean asked
wondering. you are French ~
~ am American, the girl cried.
Listen
MY mother came here, an American
girl. years ago to study My father,
heir to this estate, loved and married
her and kept her in this home Of his
father My mother pinned for her ma
tive land 50 my father gave up all and
went back with her, there, to live. so
/. Amy La Ecu, lived and was reared
an American. When both my parents
died / was very young and alone,
Grandfather La Feu sent for me. The
estate would be mine, he said, and ali
that he had, If / would remain In the
home Of my father. | repeat, | was
penniless and alone. | came
Suddenly the dark eyes filed with
tears. Then" added Amy La Ecu,
grandfather also was gone. and with
the terrible war-all that he had So"
she smiled again brayely, 4 ST IN the
tower room now as knit and pray for
a kind deliyerance 10 carry me back
across the sea :"
Dean Travis arose and came over 90
the girl. The look he bent upon her
was fraught with tenderness.
81 know now" he said shakily
that did not lose my way tonight
r noe orlv finding my uav-ta votl