The daily Alaskan., 1922-05-11
BLUE SLIPPERS
By MILDRED WHITE

J. Carlton Saunders came to him self with start, as Elizabeth spoke his name. He knew from the tone of his sisters voice that she had spoken before, and had been ignored.
 You asked. my dear" he Ques- toned.
 "When you are going away" ElIz- abeth retorted, isn't it about time for one of your tipsY"
 "Yes," Carlton answered, "l ought to be in New York this week."
 He drowned; 1t was diplomacy to pretend these business trips bore and a bother. Otherwise, the two el- derly and dominating sisters who were his housekeepers and companions, would feel themselves cheated of the participation Of a pleasure.
 As a matter of fact, Carlton Saun- ders, In the prosy regime of his small town home, looked forward to these escapes into an outer world with se- cret anticipation and enjoyment. Elizabeth and Katherine were good sisters, annOylugly anxious concerning his welfare.
 J. Carlton appreciated theiT solici- tude, while he fretted under the con stant surveillance. There were those who insisted that the kindly man might long ago have rejotced ID home of his own with a wife to share if. had 1t not been for Elizaheth's and Katherlne's rule. But the brother In his heart retuted this.
 Were his sisters not bringing before hIm constantly possible applicants for matrimOny?
 Yes" he answered Elizabeth again, "I must be In New York this week "
 "We will pack your valise," Katherine said, "and don't forget to wear your rubbers"
 But when he walked Into the New York hotel a few days later, he had left, unconsclously. his habitual diff dence at home. Ills name on the regis ter was signed merely Jack Saunders The clerk bowed ln greeting.
 Cant give you your usual room.' he explained apOlogeucally, i've ure filled up."
 The room the bellboy ushered him Into was comfortable enough. But us he turned to place coat and hat on the hanger. J. Saunders stared; a hlmy blue cloud of something had foreStalled him there. While all about the small room was the lndefinabIe fragrance Of that mystical romance, which he had missed. Lilac or lily of the valley or lust sweet springtlme-whut was the alluding odOr which enchanted his senses? .
 A tap on the door. Carlton turned gulltlIy. A woman's face was raised to hls-her eyes were as blue as the hlmy cloud on the hanger, but they were not the eyes Of young girl-nor yet the calm gazing eyes that Eliz- abeth would have recommended.
 "I am afraid l left some of my be- Iougings in this roOm," the sweet faced woman said. "I had decided to occupy 1t when the clerk discovered that the one l prefer was vacated. So they carried my grip In there. an sorry" she paused, and then at his bow of permission. gathered up her apparel and went on her way. Rut the breath of springtlme remained. When J. Carlton went Into the dining hall at evening. he saw the young wom- pn seated alone al secluded table. He liked the plainness Of her blue serge dress. which was such a different plainness from Julia Wells, or hls sis ter's; and he liked the plquant hat that she beComlngly wore. As he ppssed down the corridor Co his room, II gave him an unaccOuntuble feeling of relief, to hear the woman al the hall desk address the lady of the blue cloud as Miss Darby" Miss, then she was not married. He speculated about her, as he bent over his writing. The usually matter-of-tact John Curl ion could not write; he could not take hold of hls work; he decided to retire. And there on the floor at his feet, lay pair of small blue slippers, quilted satin slippers with ridiculous fluffy pumpons upon either toe. So, she Ina! forgotten these. They were the sort of slippers a Cinderella of past dream ing might have chOsen-to slip on In the firellght. The following morning he sank Into a chair In an ad- joining "cotfee house" and opened hls paper. Sprlugtlme floated provoc- atlvely around him, lilac and lily-Ot- the-valley SprlngtIGLe, Two very blue eyes smiled over a coffee cup, oppo- site.
 Good morning" greeted the lady of the blue cloud, thank you for return ing my slippers"
 "I travel" she told hlm upon their third chance breakfast together, flor a linen company. Imported linens. My knowledge In that line was my one chance for self-suppOrt after my father died. It's a good business, but it leaves ne homeless. Thats-the drawback"
 " have a home" Carlton said musingly. "an old place, with bushes around It."
 Not" asked the woman eagerly. mot lilac bushesl'
 Carlton nodded.
 "How I would love it." she eI- claimed.
 .r ,,r, old 70 ba pnSyvared her IrrplR.