New Britain herald., 1921-10-08
why Dicky Stopped the Preparation stunt" Madge Planned For
 4 BesS Dean.

stunt Madge Planned For
 ! Bess Dean. If I can wear them ?" Bess Dean repeated my words with a venonous little tang in her voice. Oh, I don't believe I'll have any trouble in keep ing them on. Sneakers are so secure ly fastened that they do not usually slip off even if loose" I did not need the infection in her voice to tell me that I had scored heavily in the queer little beloW-sur- face duel between us, by my casual assent to her request to borrow my sneakers, with the proviso if she could wear them. Her cheeks helG a flush of anger, her eyss were like stiletto points, and that she had temporarily lost her r@ol boise I knew by her comeback to my thrust Bess Dean is clever enough to have uttered something far e.&erent than the rambling retort she Fad made to the little speech which I would have given much to recall hScauso of it's banality. ...
 Dicl<y's Raillew.
 But it had served it's purpose we'll in goading her, a purpose which realized lay beneath the surface of my emotions. but which constantly was thrusting itself into my con scious actions. Why is it, I wonder. in this day of feminine emancipation, that one of the surest ways to make the average woman angry is to insin- uate that her size in shoes is larger than other women of approximately the same weight and height?
 < I saw Mrs. Cosgrove bite her lips .f f< I.il1i9n'S there glinted a swift amusement at the girls evident anger, but I read something else in those clear eyes a a-disapproval of my petty cattiness. In Lillian's estimation I knew that for the moment I had forgotten to play the game.
 .Dfcky's voice struck in with the careless, half-mock infection he almost invariably uses in talking to Miss Dean.
 "You might stuff the toes with pound or two of cotton he drawled, Tor if Mrs. Cosgrove will lend me her clothesline I'll tie them on with pieces of that, provided you find they won't stay. on alone. Funny I never realized before what 8 Cinderella foot you have, Miss Dean. I thought my spouse's tooties took the cake and the pie in that direction. But we live and learn. Madge, I warn you,. Pm the original glass slipper gentleman. When find a girl with a foot. smaller than yours wellAI won't break your heart right here before everybody by telling you the probable consequences. But take tip from the Chinese and begin to bind your feet right away today, that is, if you value my fealty."
 Madge's Change of Heart.
 Through the chagrfn felt at hav- ing belittled myself by the feline. lit tie speech which had started this raillery there crept a tiny thrill of triumph. Dicky, who always has been absurdly proud of my rather small feet, had taken my side in the undercurrent duel between Bess Dean and me. He could not have ex- pressed his disbelief in her ability tc get on my shoes moro strongly thar by this moccing assent to her claim. Ti With the triumph came a sudder distaste for the controversy, and ] cast about for means to avoid the humiliation which I was sure Bess Dean would feel when she tried tc but on my sneakers. With a sudder Remembrance of an extra pair of the Comfortable footgear which I once had bought without trying on, thal had proved a size too large, anG which I had brought with me for : possible emergency, l rose to my feet, resolved to make things eas. for the girl.
 's1'11 get the shoes right away Bess," I said with nonchalant friend Illness. "T suppose you'll want t make an early start"
 Thanks so much" she returne with careful amiabtlity. '.Wha about eats?'
 As I left the room I heard Dick expatiating upon the joys of a pfcni hamper. eaten in a certain pavilion which an enterprising garage owne Furnished for the comfort of automc bile tourists, and at which rea11 good coffee and tea could be obtained
 sped upstairs, rumnaaged in m trunk. found the extra sneaker which I was sure would fit Bess Deal turned to the door again. and rnt Ddchy in the doorway, He glance at the shoes in my hand. then hel out his hand for them with quizz cal s1ni1e. I gave them to him. an he held them up. gazed at thel critically, and then looked st IT feet.
 T thought so." he said with a grf HtI remember you had these. ar was sure your New England col science would prompt you to stat some such reparatfon stunt as tht But nothing doing. old dear I not saying you were especially c1u by in that meataxe swing you ga the lady about the shoes in the fiji place-your foot work is usual more nffty-but as long as the thfns started we'll just play it out as
 And I do not choose to have tn
 damosel get away with any claim g
 isn't entitled to. If she can get y6
 sneakers on, we'll and good, but
 won't hand her anything on a pla
 ter like these-
 He tossed the shoes d.sdainfu
 to the side of the room and obedfel
 ly produced my own sneakers a