The Snowflake herald., 1921-01-07
A Pair of Shoes
BY RALPH HAMILTON
la. 1a2O. western Newspaper Union.)


demonstrative and her acts of kindli-
ness hidden from public view as far
as possible. 1t was at revival meet
Ing in the slums, whittier Norma Lunt
had accompanied her brother, clergy
man, to play the organ for the occa-
sion that one of her impetuous exhibit
tions of good heartedness material
tied, and the object of her liberality
was a poorly dressed girl of her own
age, who had come into the hall half
perished with the cold.
Norma noted her thin and thread
bare garb and most of all the broken,
snow-clogged shoes. A plying emo
tion induced her to quietly remove to
a seat near the girl. AS quietly she
removed her own well kept shoes un-
noticed, placed them on the floor and
whispered to the other:
Before you go out again put on
these comfortable shOes-they are for
you. Keep up brave heart, dear. You
look like a good girl and if you will
give me your address, l will see you
again."
So the wondering, but delighted girl
named tenement location and had no
idea that Norma, when she left the
place later, did so in her stocking feet.
Norma was infused with thrilling
spirit of self sacrifice and heroism that
sustained her, but was laid up with the
effects of her exposure for full
month afterward. The incident got
into the papers and her name ap-
peared in connection with it, When
she was recovered and went to search
for Alice Lull, she found she had
moved away from the tenement where
she had formerly lived.
In the course of a few months Nor
mas brother broke down in health ana
was offered a home on q ranch in New
Mexico by an old friend of his dead
father Gerald went thither accom-
panied by Norma, whose life had been
always linked closely with his own.
The old cattle raiser prepared for
them a little cottage with attractive
floral surroundings. and saw to it THAI
they lived something more than com
fortably. His business was an eXten
sive one and there was some bookkeep
ing to do, which Norma attended tc
and received for this service a small
but regular recompense. Gerald had
been advised to give up his profession
as his voice had failed him. He took
to writing books, but with Indifferent
success. The returns from the same
were spasmodic He was very much
discouraged when one day he received
a visit from his publisher.
'Lunt," he said. you weSe born ana
brought up in the South. | have a
client with money who wishes to have
a series OF books written about that
section. He has outlined six of these
and all you have to do is to fill in the
plot and details. You are to be paid
two thousand dollars a book, and if
they take you will receive fifty per
cent of the profits He does not wish
to appear as the author at all, but
believes he knows the literary tastes
of his possible reading clientele and
that the books will make a good hit
and turn out profitable speculation"
1t was wonderful how Gerald Lunt
braced up after two volumes had beer
published and his reputation was made
and a good income guaranteed 1t
was when he was fully rejuvenated il
spirit and health that a lively young
lady, Alice Trevor. became a summer
boarder at the home Of a neighbor.
From the first Norma racked he1
memory to get an inkling of where she
had seen that charming face before
but she could not solve the question
and nothing that Miss Trevor said en-.
couraged her. They became close
friends and Gerald Lunt for the first
time in his life was attracted by a
member of the opposite sex.
Miss Trevor grew to so like Norms
that she protracted her stay. The lat
ter was glad to notice the interest hel
brother took in the young lady, fOl
she seemed to be his equal in culture
and education. 1t was given out gen
orally that she was quite wealthy
through an inheritance from father
by adoption.
1--WE are engaged, Norma" an
nounced Gerald in his quiet, even
tones one day. "Alice wishes to see
you particularly about it this after.
noon. Will you go and see her dear?"
"Certainly, and with the heartiest
congratulations" replied Norrel warm.
ly. Il shall welcome her as a sister
and know she will make you happy
A fluttering emotion pervaded the
lovely Alice as Norma clasped her in
a warm sisterly embrace. Then she
said:
Il have great deal to tell you" an6
she closed and locked the door of hel
room. Then she drew a mahogany
case from the wardrobe and opened its
cover. Within reposed a pair of shoes
In wonder Norma stared.
you do not recall them, or myselfY