Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1921-01-21
1.-THE COBBLER"
BY GERTRUDE euRNHAM.

Sylvia's little foot tapped the sta
ton floor nervously. She was aware
Of the disquietlng fact that there was
hole In the sole Of her right pump.
1t 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, Brock
might even carry out his mad scheme,
so often proposed.
At this point in her reflections Miss
Sylvia sighed and flushed. 1t was
such a pity that Daddy Allen could
and would not understand what dear
Brock was
Just then Brock himself dashed in,
tossed his overcoat on the seat beside
Sylvia and Joined the waiting line be-
fore the ticket window. He stopped a
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 despairingly for
some speedy remedy she glimpsed n
piece Of paper lying on the floor near
Breck's coat. Further inspection
proved 1t to be stiff and heavy, need
Ing only judicious folding to make 1t
fit In the slipper. At any rate, 1t
would do temporarily.
On the train the masterful Brock re-
vealed his startling plan.
"Now that have the contract which
really establishes the business, want
you, too There's license In my
pocket which has been there quite long
enough. When we get to Harvllle
we'll visit a certain nice old Justice"
50 in the course Of an hour Sylvia
allowed herself to be passively guided
up flight Of dlngy stairs and into
an equally dingy office. A kindly
faced, stout old gentleman came for
ward to greet Them, seeming to I'M
derstand their errand without expla-
nation. The phenomenon Of an clipping
couple no longer caused him thrill.
Half second and I'll have q wit
nthS lie Alt III OlhNN IVY
from some other region, deliberately
adjusted his spectacles and then re-
marked: "Now for the license. Wen
be sure that is o. X. first"
without the slightest hesitation
Brock confidently reached his hand in
his pocket and drew it forth-empty !
There ensued a profound silence,
broken by an irrepresslble chuclSle
from the office boy. Poor Sylvia,
whose courage had been rapidly eb-
bling, wished herself a thousand miles
away.
Further frenzled search failed to
produce the missing document, and
the young couple was finally forced
to retreat, profferlng apologies and
crimson with embarrassment. The
attorney bowed them out with slight
trace Of WEAKNESS.
Later in the afternoon Sylvia and
Brock parted. He was tremendously
disappointed and chagrined, but Sylvia
felt a thrill Of wicked relief, for her
idea of wedding was vastly different.
Besides, who ever heard Of a girl be-
ing married with a hole in her shoe2
She glggled at the thought.
At dinner Sylvia slid into her place,
dreadlng the keen scrutiny and ques-
tioning of her father. He, however,
was unusually amiable this evening,
and when she ventured to mention the
fact that she had been with Breck that
afternoon did not protest acidly.
$50 you think that you would be
happier with that young whIppersnap-
per, Brock Merrill, than you are with
your old father?' he querled dryly.
II never put It that way" retorted
Sylvia spiritedly. "You know that
think the world Of you, daddy, but ]
am going to marry Brock, just the
same"
"Well," her father went on, n twinkle
in his eye, II see that he has just
secured n contract I've been trying to
get myself. He's n clever fellow, so
guess you can have him If you find
him necessary to your happiness. ]
presume you will want the usual "trip
peries, so here's a check as 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 acknowledgment, then fled up
stairs. In the secusiOn Of her room
she pirouetted and kicked one small
slipper high In the air.
II was the one with the hole In II,
and the temporary sole fell out. Sylvia
smiled remInlscently and picked 1t up.
Some writing ON the fold attracted
her attention, and she opened the soiled
paper.
SO intensely interesting did she find
IL that she sat cross-legged on the floor
and read II through with wrinkled
brows, then laughed until the tears
came. Growing somewhat calmer she
jumped up, and still clutching the
cause of her merrlment dashed down
stairs, skipping steps recklessly, one
shoe off.
Mr.. Allen, enjoying his cigar and
newspaper In the library, wondered
mildly what Sylvia found so amusing
in her telephone conversation. Had
he listened intently he would have
heard these mystlfylng sentences bad
" mixed up with gurgles Of laughter:
"Breck7 Yes, just as soon as you
possibly can. Yes, fathers home. He'll
be delighted to see you. Honestly.
What? No, I'm not spoofng. You'll
never guess where I found 1t. Hustle
over and I'll tell you everything"
The receiver clicked and Sylvia, still
holding n badly damaged marriage
license, sat down and laughed some
more.
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