The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1921-12-08
The Modern
Cinderella
Bv MURIEL BLAIR.

That, perhaps, was the real reason
why Mrs; Lanham, who had never
| been known to do an unselfish act,
! surprised her intimates by asking her
little orphaned niece to make her
home with her after her brothers
death.
Esther and Oliver Benton had
grown up together in the same house
In Ohio, and Oliver had supported his
widowed mother and sister until
Esthers brilliant marriage to
wealthy lawyer. Esther mourned her
husbands death decently for year;
then she moved to New York.
Why Mrs. Lanham should have
taken little Cinderella-whose real
name was Elizabeth-into her home
was mystery until Mrs. Bentham-
Jenkins solved it.
why, my dear, the reason is per-
fectly obvious" she said to friend.
1T is only necessary to look at the
children's faces. Did you ever see
| more glaring contrast between beauty
and LONELINESS? Beauty and the
beast, should call it; and that char
ity child won't improve with years,
either"
Elizabeth heard it and ran away to
cry. Elizabeth wore Beatrice'S cast
off dresses, after the trimmings had
been removed and a certain dOWti-
ness impaired by Mrs. Lanham's deft
fingers. That excellent woman knew
the value of foil for her daughter,
particularly now that Beatrice was Of
manageable age. Beatrice was
kinder. Once she gave Elizabeth one
of her cast-Off gowns.
Lester Martin had been a frequent
caller at Mrs Lanham'S house Of re-
cent weeks. Martin was the son Of
old Roger Martin, the banker.
Lester was calling at the Lanham
home, and Beatrice, having heard the
news from her maid, was hurrying
into her reception gown. Cinderella
was all alone. She was just going up
stairs-for Mrs. Lanham did not like
her to receive her guests-when she
met Lester at the door.
"Why don't I ever see anything Of
YOU, Miss Benton?" he asked, detain-
ing her.
Elizabeth did not know what to say,
so she said nothing.
"You dear little Cinderella" salu
Lester Martin, and bent down and
kissed her.
She cried wildly for hours, until Bea-
trice came and found her in her room.
Beatrice was too much excited to no.
tice Elizabeth's red eyes. She began
chattering about Lester.
Mamma thinks that he is in love
with me-" she said.
do you love him, Beatrice?" in
quired Elizabeth.
II don't know. I guess l could
said Beatrice, whirling about. MANI
MA says you needn't come down to-
night because we are having guests
She came back presently. do you
know old Roger Lester is giving a
fancy dress ball next month"; she
asked. Eyes, the Invitations have
just come. And Oh, forgot to say
that there is one for you. Mamma has
written accepting for me and declln-
ing for you.
Elizabeth trod on air during the next
four weeks. She went so happily about
her duties that more than once she
caught sight of Mrs. Lanham survey
ing her with amazed disapproval. At
last the night of the ball arrived.
"You need not sit up for u.s. said
Mrs Lanham condescendingly.
When the auto rolled away she hur-
ried upstairs and slipped into the ball
dress and slippers.
Nobody stopped her at the door.
Masked, among hundred other
masked women, her presence excited
no comment.
The music intoxicated her. Eliza
beth could dance divinely. But when
she saw Lester approach and gravely
ask her, her head swayed and her eyes
filled with sudden tears.
"Shall we 90 into the conserva-
tory?' he asked, when the music
;, stopped. He offered her his arm. At
the door of the ballroom they passed
Beatrice and her mother. Their eyes
rested on her, and with q sudden ter
ror Elizabeth perceived that she was
recognized.
"What is the matter?' Lester asked,
as they sat down. "You are not feel
ing we'll? May l get you a glass OF
water?'
She shook her head. Lester placed
his hand upon hers.
"Do you think I do not know who
you are, Cinderella?" he asked, "for
all that mask? See if 1 can guess.
You are Miss Benton, and you ran
away to the dance"
"And l can never go home" said
Elizabeth in panic. "She recognized
me. l had never been to a ball be-
fore, and I could not bear not to just
once. I don't know what l shall do"
"Tll tell you," said Lester you
need never so home again if you will
marry me-