Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-21
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
SyIUia Turns CobbIer

by GERTRUDE BURNHAM
Sylvia's little foot tapped the station
hoor nervously. She was aware of the
disquiettng fact that there was hole
In the sole of her right pump. 1t really
was foolish of her to wear that par
ttcular old pair just because they
matched her dress. 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
At this point in her reflections. Miss
Sylvia sighed and flushed II was such a
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 before
the ticket window. He stopped second
TO impart some information to her.
Everything is top hole, angel child
We're going to remember To-Day, and no
mistake" he chuclSlcd.
This pertcnded action: and Sylvia was
| rueiuIly aware that a strenuous after.
noon was not likely to improve that hole,
save IN size. to the great detriment OF
perfectly good pair of silk stockings
AS she cast about desperately for some
speedy remedy she glimpsed a piece OF
coat. Further inspection proved Il to be
stiff and heavy. needing only judicious
folding TO make il ht in the slipper At
any rate 1t would do temporarily
Stooping. Sylvia picked up the paper
and fed to secluded corner, where she
rapidly slipped her pump Off and in
serted the new sole. To be sure, 1t did
feel bit knobby. hut she was no longer
quite so out AT sole"
on the tran the masterful Breck re-
Nealed his startling plan.
Now that ! have the contract which
really establishes the business. I want
you too. There's license in my pocke,
which has been there quite long enough.
When we get to HarvllC We'll visit a
certain nice old Justice Of the peace"
But" protested Sylvia, family. after
period OF stunned yet eCstatic silence.
what will Daddy Allen think"
Hang your father" retorted Breck,
inelegantly. he'll thaw out by and by
when I'm rich and famous"
So. in the course of an hour, Sylvia
allowed herself to be passively guided
UP a flight of dingy stairs and into an
equally dngy OCc. kindly faced
stout old gentleman came forward TO
greet them. seeming to understand their
erraud without explanation. The phe-
nomenon of an eloping couple no longer
caused him thrill
Halt n second and I'll have a witness
in" He summoned an Office boy from
some other region. deliberately adjusted
his speCta"iee and then remarked Now
for the license. Wen be sure that is
O. X. first"
without the slightest hesitation. Breck
confidently reached his hand into his
pocket and drew 1t forth-empty.
There ensued profound silence
broken by an irrepressible chpckle from
the office hoy Poor Sylvia. whose
courage had been rapidly ebbing, wished
herself 1000 miles away.
Further frenzied search failed to pro-
duce the missing document; and the
-. a., 10
treat. nrofYering apologies and crimson
with embarra ssment The attorney
bowed them out with a slight trace of
weariness.
Later in the afternoon, Sylvia and
disappointed and chagrined. but. Sylvia
felt thrill OF wicked relief, for her
idea of wedding was vastly diHerent.
Besides. who ever heard of girl being
married with a hole in her shoe She
giggled at the thought.
AT dinner Sylvia slid into her place,
dreading the keen scrutiny and ques-
tiOning of her father. He. however, was
unusually amable this evening, and
that she had been with Rreck that after
noon did not protest acidy.
so you think that you would be
happier with that young whippersnapper.
Breck Merrill than you are. with your
old father" he queried. dryly
/ never put IL tnat way retorteu
Sylvia. spiritedly. You know that
think the world of you, daddy. but I am
going to marry BreCk. just the same" "
Well her father went on. a twinkle
in his eye. II see that he has just secured
contract I've been trying TO get my
! self. He's clever fellow, so | guess
I you can have him If you find him neces-
! sary 10 your happiness | presume you
will want the usual frippertes, so here's a
check as a starter
When the full import of this astound-
ing announcement on the part of her
parent broke upon the slightly dazed
Sylvia. she made swift and rapturous
Acknowledgements then fed upstairs. In
the seCusion OF her room she pIouetted
and kicked one small slipper high In
the air
1t was the one with the hole in it,
and the temporary sole fell out. Sylvia
smiled reminisCently and picked 1t up
Some writing on the fold attracted her
attention and she opened the soileG
paper,
that she sat crosslegged on the floor and
read il through with wrinkled brOwS
ing somewhat Calu,"r, she jumped up,
and, still ClutChing the cause Of her mer-
riment, dashed downstairs, skipping
stairs recilcssly. one shoe of.
newspaper in the library, wondered
mildly what Sylvia found so amusins
! in her telephone conversation Had ne
! listened intcntly he would have heard
| these mystifying sentences badly mixed
up with gurgles OF laughter
"BreCk? Yes; just as soon as YOU
possibly can Yes, fathers home. Hell
he delighted to see you. Honestly. What
No, I'm not spOotng You'll never guess
where | found IL. Hustle over and ri
tell YOU everything"
The receiver clicked and Sylvia, stu
holding a badly damaged marriage
license sat down and laughed some more