The spectator., 1920-09-14
1.-THE COBBLER" By GERTRUDE BURNHAM.
C@. 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate )

tSh iSzo, by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.)
 Sylvia's little foot tapped the sta tion floor nervously. She was aware of the disquieting fact that there was d hole in the sole of her right pump. It really was foolish of her to wear that particular old pair just because they matched her dress. A hole in ones shoe was calamity at any time, but doubly so today. Why. Breck might even carry out his mad scheme, so often proposed
 A this point in her reflections Miss Sylvia sighed and flushed. It was such pity that Daddy Allen could and would not understand what dear Breck was.
 Just then Breck himself dashed in, tossed his overcoat on the seat beside Sylvia and joined the waiting line be- fore the ticket window. He stopped second to impart some information to her
 Everything is top hole, angel child, We're going to remember today, and no mistake" he chuckled.
 As she cast about despairngly for some speedy remedy she glimpsed a piece of paper lying on the floor near Breck's coat. Further inspection proved it to be stiff and heavy, need ing only iudicious folding to make it fit in the slipper. At any rate, it would do temporarily.
 On the train the masterful Breck re- vealed his startling plan.
 "Now that I have the contract which really establishes the business, I want you. too. There's license in my pocket which has been there quite long enough. When we get to Iarville we'll visit a certain nice old justice
 So in the course of an hour Sylvia allowed herself to be paSSiyely guided up flight of dingy stairs and into an equally dingy office. A kindly faced, stout old gentleman came for ward to greet them. seeming to un- derstand their errand without eNpla- nation. The phenomenon of an elopng couple no longer caused him thrill.
 Half a second and I'll have Il wit ness in" He summoned an office boy from some other region. deliberately adjusted his spectacles and then re- marked Now for the license. We'll be sure that is O. K. first
 Without the slightest hesitation Breck confidently reached his hand in his pocket and drew it forth-empty
 There ensued a profound silence. broken by an irrepresshle chuckle from the office boy. Poor Sylvia, whose courage had been rapidly eh- ping, wished herself thousand miles away.
 Further frenzied search failed to produce the missing document, and the young couple was finally forced to retreat, proffering apologies and crimson with embarrassment. The attorney bowed them out with slight trace of wearineSS.
 1 Later in the afternoon Sylvia and 1 Breck parted He was tremendously disappointed and chagrined, but Sylvia felt thrill of wicked relief, for her idea of wedding was vastly different. Besides. who ever heard of girl be ing married with a hole in her shoef She giggled at the thought.
 At dinner Sylvia slid into her place, dreading the keen scrutiny and queS- tioniug of her father. He, however. was unusually amiahle this evening, and when she ventured to mention the fact that she had been with Breck that afternoon did not protest acidly.
 "So you think that you would he happier with that young whippersnap- per. Breck Merrill, than you are with your old father?" he queried dryly.
 "I never put it that way retorted Sylvia Spiritedly. You know that l think the world of you, daddy, but l am going to marry Breek, just the same"
 Well" her father went on, twinkle in his eye. "I see that he has just secured a contract I've been trying to get myself. He's clever fellow. so I guess you can have him if you find him necessary to your happiness. presume you will want the usual frp- peries. so heres a check as a starter
 When the full import of this astounding announcement on the part of her parent broke upon the slightly dazed Sylvia. she made swift and rap turous acknowledgement, then fled un- stairs. In the seclusion of her room she pirouetted and kicked one small oIinpor bfph in tho mir
 It was the one with the hole in it and the temporary sole fell out Sylvia smiled reminiScently and picked IL up Some writing on the fold attracted her attention, and she opened the soilet paper
 So intensely interesting did she finc it that she sat crosS-legged on the floor and read it through with wrinklec brows. then laughed until the tears came Growing somewhat calmer sh' jumped up, and still clutchinG tho couSa of hpr mprrimpnt dashed down