Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1922-01-12
Thuron Frederick County, Maryland Thursday January H. 1922
The Modern
Cinderella
BY MURIEL BLAIR.

surprised her intimates by asking her
little orphaned niece to make her
hcme 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 a 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.
ut is only necessary to look at the
children's faces. Did you ever see a
more glaring contrast between beauty
and LONELINESS? Beauty and the
beast, l should call 1t; 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 certain dOwdi-
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
a marriageable age. Beatrice was
kinder. Once she gave Elizabeth one
of her cast-off gowns.
Lester Martin had been 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 1 ever see anything Of
you, Miss Benton?" he asked, detain-
ing her.
hllZdDclH ulu uOl hIoW Wlul " say
so she said nothing.
"You dear little Cinderella" saio
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. l guess l could"
said Beatrice, whirling about. Mann
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 a>!y 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 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 matter?" Lester asked.
as they sat down. "You are not feel
ing well? May / get you a glass Of
| water?"
She shook her head. Lester placed
his hand upon hers. Y
"Do you think l 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 l could not bear not to just
once. l don't know what [ shall do"
"T'll tell you," said Lester. you
need never 60 home again If you will
marry me-"
He mistook the look in her eyes.
"Oh, Cinderella" he cried, stretching
out his arms longingly, ~ love you
with all my soul. 1t was you 1 went
| to see, not Miss Lanham. know all
about your circumstances and your un-
happy life. But, Cinderella, l want
| you for my own, and know clergy
| man over In Jersey who doesn't 60 to
bed until twelve, and If we take taxi
cab we can just make 1t. VIII You
come with me, Cinderella, dear7'
EYES," sighed Cinderella, happily,
! and that was the second time ha
Aaaaod haR ~