The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-12
EDening Story
The Shoes of Destiny.
By CLARISsA MACKIE

Raymond found the package on his
table when he went up to dress for
the Fqemmings dancing party. He
had thought that he would give up
dancing, but this wasNa particular oc-
casion, Billy Flemming having a
birthday and his wife insisting on a
real old-time party.
So Raymond had hied him to his
favorite shoe shop and been fitted to
dancing pumps, and the oblopg box
testified to their arrival at the last
minute Raymond dressed leisufelys
and when he had finished he united
the oblong box and opened it.
There he stopped aghast. Instead
of sending pair OF shiny patent
leather pumps, he found nestling-in
the white tissue paper tiny pair OF
high heeled slippers, frivolous cloth OF
gold trifles that glistened in the light.
Hang it all-of course 1 can't wear
these" he told the world in a COM
planning tone. "Of all the absurd mis-
takes-well. Mrs. Billy, you can count
one dancing man out" He put the
little slippers away in his chiffenier,
smiling indulgently at them as he did
so. Some little fluffy thing might be
signing for those very slippers, but she
could not help smiling at sight of his
| new and shining pumps when they
reached her!
Not dancing?" asked Mrs. Billy,
| frowuing at him.
He told her that. lacking dancing
shoes, he had ordered them and been
disappointed in their delivery.
you are like poer Nellie Warren
she says she received an enormous
pair of mems shoes instead of her own
she is wearing an old pair and is as
cross as can be. Go and find her
and dance with her-fellow sufferers
| should console each other"
| She danced away with light nod
at him. Raymond skirted the dancers
1 and found a place comfortable for
wallfloWers. He wondered which girl
would prove to be Nellie Warren. He
rather like her name, simple and UNI
assuming, but she would have been
| splendid in gold slippers if
He fell to watching the dancing feet
of the girls, noting the dainty footgear
until his eyes were dazzled with the
procession of silver slippers and gold
! slippers and white ones and OCCASION
ally a dainty black pair with jeweled
toes. Then he started. for tripping
along in perfect time to Billy Elem
ming's ponderous feet were a tiny pair
of shabby gray slippers-they were
emergency shoes, he knew. for they
were worn with golden hued silk hose
and a golden tissue frock.
The girl herself-he caught a
glimpse of dark, bewitching face.
golden-hued eyes, flash of rose color
in cheeks and lips, and she was gone.
She might not be his Cinderella of the
slippers, but she was undoubtedly a
| wonder girl-had he not dreamed
about some girl-the girl that would
come one day into his life?
"Hello!" beloved Flemming's voice
beside him. do take care of Miss
Warren-Raymond. Arch Raymond
you've heard of him, Nellie. can't
dance tonight because he hasn't any
shoes. am called away to the
phone" he drifted away into the
crowd and Raymond smiled down at
the wonder-girl whom fate had sent
to him.
:. Aren't you going to dance ?" she
asked as her little feet kept time to
the aliuring music.
He glanced down at his feet. st
might try-I'm a clumsy beggar at
my best" he apologized.
Such pity she said teasingly
after a while as they paused for
pair of patent leather pumps that
came to me instead of my own darling
golden shoes-you couldn't dance a
bit better than you do"
rs chat a compliment or other
wiser"
TT isn't otherwise!" she laughed.
Later in the evening they had
danced together so often that people
were smiling indulgeptly at Arch Ray
mond, whose appearance at a dance
was a AldfA Oh signal triumph Tor his
| hostess, and that he should be wor-
shipping at the shrine of penniless
Nellie Warren was a social triumph
for the girl.
They had supper together, and when
the huge birthday cake was cut, it was
Nellie Raymond who found a ring in
her slice. I've had the most delight
full time" she sighed as they said
goodnight.
'I shall never forget it," he said
gravely. land perhaps, tomorrow you
will let me come and bring Gin
derellas slippers"
you had them?" she gasped.
He nodded. Mine went to YOU
and yours to me. If I had not seen
you" he stopped, for he was saying
too much for short acquaintance.
81 may Gomez" he asked instead
"Of course-I am staying with the
Flemmings."