The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1922-02-16
BLUE SLIPPERS
BY MILDRED WHITE


Copyrighu ig44, western Newspaper Union
j. Carlton Saunders came to him
self with a 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" Ellz-
sbeth retorted, "lsn't Il about time for
one Of your tripsf"
"Yes," Carlton answered, II ought
TO be In New York this week."
He frowned; II was diplomacy to
pretend these business trips bore
and a bother. Otherwise, the two el'
derly and dominating sisters who were
mis- housekeepers and companions,
would feel themselves cheated Of the
participation of a pleasure.
As a matter OF fact, Carlton Seun-
ders, In the prosy regime of his small
town home, looked forward TO these
escapes into an outer world with ne
cret anticipation and enjoyment.
Elizabeth and Katherine were good
sisters. annoylngly anxious concerning
his welfare.
J. Carlton appreciated their solfci'
tnde, while he fretted under the con
stnnt surveillance. There were those
who insisted that the kindly han
might long ago have reJolced IN n
home OF his own with wife to share
II. had II not been for Ellzabeths and
Kathcrines rule. But the brother In
his heart refuted this.
Were his sisters not bringing before
him constantly possible applicants for
matrlmonyf
Eyes" he answered Elizabeth again,
II must be In New York this week"
1--WE will pack your valise," Katherine
said. "and don't forget TO wear your
rubbers."
But when he walked Into the New
York hotel few days later. he had
left, unconsclously, his habltual dlfn'
dence at home. Ills name on the regis
ter was signed merely Jack Saunders
The clerk bowed In greeting.
Cant give you your usual roorn,"
he explained apologeucnlly. I'VE are
filled up"
The room the bellboy ushered him
into was comfortable enough. But ns
he turned TO place coat and hat on the
hanger. J. Saunders stared; hlmy
blue cloud OF something had forestalled
him there. While all about the small
room was the indefnable fragrance OF
that mystical romance. which he had
missed. Lilac, or lily OF the valley OF
Just sweet springtime-what was the
alludlng odor which enchanted his
sensesi
A tap on the door. Carlton turned
gulltlly. A womans face was raised
TO his-her eyes were as blue as the
nlmy cloud on the hanger, but they
we're not the eyes OF q young girl-nos
ret the calm gazing eyes that EuE-
abeth would have recommended.
81 am afraid left some OF my be-
longlngs In. this room" the sweet
faced woman said. ~ had decided TO
occupy Il when the clerk discovered
that the one prefer was vacated.
So they carried my grip In there. }
am sorry" she paused, and then at
his bow OF permission, gathered up
her apparel and went on her way.
But the breath OF springtime remained.
When ]. Carlton went into the dining
hall at evening, he saw the young WON
an seated alone at secluded table.
He liked the plainness OF her blue
serge dress, which was such different
plainness from Julia Wells, or his sis
ter's; and he liked the piquant hat
that she becominsly wore. As he
passed down the corridor TO his room.
Il gave him an unaccountable feeling
OF relief, 20 hear the woman at the
hall desk address the lady OF the blue
cloud as "Miss Darby" Miss, then
she was not married. lie speculated
about her, as he bent over his writing.
The usually matter-of-fact John Carl
ton could not write; he could not take
hold OF his work he decided TO retire.
And there on the hoor at his feet, lay
a pair OF small blue slippers, quilted
satin slippers with ridiculous nuny
pompons upon either toe. So, she had
tOfAoltch thcoc' Ahcy NSie NV 49,
Of slippers u Cinderella OF past dream
ing might have chosen-to slip on In
the nrelight The following morning
he sank into chair In an ad'
Joining coffee house" and opened
his paper. Springtime noated provoc'
atively around him, lilac and lily-of'
the-valley spTingtime. Two very blue
syes smiled over a coffee cup, oppo-
site.
"Good morning." greeted the lady OF
the blue cloud, thank YOU for return
ing my slippers"
~ travel" she told him upon their
third chance breakfast together. "for
a linen company. Imported linens.
My knowledge In that line was my
one chance for self-support after my