The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1922-01-03
The Modern
Cinderella
Bv MURIEL BLAIR.

copyright. 1891. Western NswsDaD"T Union
Cinderella was a foil for Beatrice.
That, perhaps. was the real reason
why MRS. Lanham, who had never
been known to do an unselfsh 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
Esther's brilliant marriage to q
wealthy lawyer. Esther mourned her
husbands death decently for q year;
then she moved to New York.
Why Mrs. Lanham should have
taken little Cinderells-whOse real
name was Elizabeth-intO her home
was a mystery until Mrs. Bentham.
Jenkins solved 1t.
"Why, my dear, the reason is per-
tectly obvious" she said to a 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
,east. l should call it; and that char
ity child won't improve with years,
| either"
Elizabeth heard 1t and ran away to
cry. Elizabeth wore Beatrice's cast
| off dresses, after the trimmings had
been removed and q certain dOwdi-
ness impaired by Mrs. Lanham's def
fingers That excellent woman knew
the value Of a foil for her daughter,
particularly now that Beatrice was OF
a manageable age. Beatrice was
kinder. Once she gave Elizabeth one
of her CASTOR 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 l ever see anything of
you. Miss Benton?" he asked, detain-
ing her.
| Elizabeth did not know what to say,
30 she sale. nothing.
"You dear little Cinderella" SAID
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.
1 mamma thinks that he IL In love
with me-" she said.
"Do you love him, Beatrice?' in.
quired Elizabeth.
II don't know. / guess I could ~
said Beatrice. whirling about. Nam.
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 q
fancy dress ball next month" she
asked. "Yes, the invitations have
just come. And oh, / forgot to say
that there Is one for you. Mamma has
written accepting for me and declin.
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 dfvinely. But when
she saw Lester approach and gravely
ask her, her head swayed and her eyes
filled with sudden tears.
"Shall we 60 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 a sudden ter.
ror Elizabeth perceived that she was
recognized.
"What is the matterY" Lester asked,
as they sat down. "You are not feel
ing well? May / get yeu a glass OF
water?"
She shook her head. Lester placed
his hand upon hers.
do you think do not know who
you are, Cinderella?" he asked, 'for
all that mask? See If I can guess.
You are Miss Benton, and you ran
away to the dance"
! "And can never 90 home" said
Elizabeth in panic. "She recognized
me. I had never been to a ball be-