Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1922-02-11
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 1t about time for
one OF your tripsf
YES" Carlton answered, Il ought
to be in New York this week."
He frowned; II was diplomacy 10
pretend these business trips a bore
and a bother. Otherwise, the two ell
derby and dominating sisters who were
his housekeepers and companions,
would feel themselves cheated Of the
participation of 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 Sc
cret anticipation and enjoyment.
Elizabeth and Katherine were good
sisters, annoyingly anxious concerning
his welfare.
| j. Carlton appreciated their solici-
tude, while he fretted under the con-
slant surveillance. There were those
who insisted that the kindly man
might long ago have rejoiced In a
home of his own with a wife to share
1t, had 1t not been for Elizabeth's and
Katherlne's rule. But the brother In
his heart refuted this.
Were his sisters not bringing before
him constantly possible applicants for
matrimony?
"Yes," he answered Elizabeth again,
II must be In New York this week"
1--WE will pack your yallse," 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, unconsciously, his habitual diff
1ence at home. His name on the regis
ter was signed merely Jack Saunders.
The clerk bowed In greeting.
Cant give you your usual room."
ne explained apologetIeally. 1--WE are
hlled up"
The room the bellboy ushered him
into was comfortable enough. But as
he turned to place coat and hat on the
hanger, j. Saunders stared; filmy
blue cloud OF something had forestalled
him there. While all about the small
room was the indefinable fragrance Of
that mystical romance, which he had
missed. Lilac, or lily of the valley or
just sweet springtime-what was the
abiding odor which enchanted his
senses?
A tap on the door. Carlton turned
| guilty. A woman's face was raised
to hls--her eyes were as blue as the
flmy 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.
II am afraid left some Of my be-
longings In this ROOM" the sweet
| faced woman said Il had decided to
| occupy II when the clerk discovered
| that the one / prefer was vacated.
SO they carried my grip In there. J
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 a secluded table.
| He liked the painness OF her blue
serge dress, which was such different
plainness from Julia Wells, or his sis.
ters; and he liked the plquant hat
that she becomingly wore. As no
passed down the corridor to his room,
II gave him an unaecountable feeling
Of relief, to hear the woman at 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-fact John Carl
ton could not write; he could not take
hold of his work; he decided to retire.
And there on the floor at his feet, lay
pair of small blue slippers, quilted
satin slippers with ridiculous FUZZY
pompons upon either toe. SO, she had
forgotten these. They were the sort
OF slippers a Cinderella of past dream
ing might have chosen--t0 slip ON In
the freight The following morning
he sank into chair In an adj
Joining "coffee house" and opened
his paper. Springtime floated provoc'
atIveIy around him, lilac and llly-of'
the-valley springtime. 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"
81 travel" she told him upon their
third chance breakfast together. "for
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
II leaves me homeless Thafs-the
drawback"
81 have home" Carlton said
muslngly, ian old place, with bushes
around IT,"
mot" asked the woman eagerly.
mot lilac bushesT
Carlton nodded.
"llow would love II" she ex'
claimed.
II am old" he answered her irrele-