The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1922-03-31
The Fairy
Codmother

,Ey MARVIN ST. JOHNS

waters" rejoined Bert Wi'llams'
| quickly. t'22's
"Here, I'll get them---1 saw them
first" uo f'"
| "And I've got them first!" pro-
claimed Bert triumphantly.
Splash; he was ankle deep In the
water off the shallow little creek, had
seized the cargo of q floating plank,
| and this, or rather these, he dangled
before the eyes of his chum and COM
| rade.
"How did they ever come adrift?'
"There's the mystery. And the ro-
NANCE" added Bert, "for whoever
wore them Is certainly a modern Gin
| derella."
Bert Williams placed his remarkable
find in the pocket Of the light over
coat he wore and took up his walk
ing stick.
Hold on. Where are you going"
challenged Evans.
'To locate the owner, of COURSE"
responded Bert. "Think I'll miss
romance like this?"
"Sort of royal prince looking for
a Cinderella, eh?" rallied Evans.
'rake it that way-at any rate,
probably distressed maiden splash
ing in the brook-disloyal plank floats
away with her belongings" He start
ed along the verdue-tangled shore.
"There she is" suddenly he ex-
claimed. "Young lady-this way"
A little, graceful miss was coming
down the shore path slowly. She
looked up at Bert's hail.
There was scream. The alright
ed miss turned like frightened
sprite. Bert gasped out:
"Barefooted-i the Cinderella!"
Just one feetng glimpse Bert had
Of face well suited to a form of will
lOwy grace and dalntiness He came
back to the spot where he had left his
friend, but Evans had gone on to-
wards the village. lie soon overlook
him.
"Well?" questioned Evans.
II found the fairy Cinderella, but"
and Bert reclted his latest adventure!
- huob AVhoW uD MY ihNGSliSatiOhD
tomorrow. AS knight of romance it
is my duty. Are we going to that.
crossroads function this EVENING"
"Oh, we mustn't miss that. Besides,
we promised our rural friends, you
knowl"
A hayrack ride, n supper and n barn
dance mt 'Rumsey Crossroads had been
the talked of social event of the dis
trict for week past. The two young
men were promptly at the meeting
place at dusk. @
There was jolly drive for a few
miles. +,
The residents of the immediate 10.
cality were tho hosts. 1t was when
Bert was introduced to some Of these
that he made a discovery that added
new interest to the scene.
Miss Wyman. Mr.. Williams"--and
Bert found himself bowling to the bare
footed refugee of the brookslde.3
There was a fitting shadow across
those fair features that Bert noticed
at once. When he asked her to be-
come his partner In the next dance
and she declined or the grounds Of in
disposition, Bert invOluntarily glanced
down In the direction of her feet. They
were out Of view, concealed under the
folds of her dress. Her eyes followed
the dancers longlngly.
"Do You believe In fairy books, Miss
Wyman?" Bert asked, abruptly, and
she regarded him strangely at this un-
usual conversational disclosures
"Why-I don't know" she answered
In nm uncertain tone.
'And fairy godmothers? And Gin
dereila? An" declared Bert with half
jocular e&usiveness, "there was q girl
worth perpetuatlng In fiction, don't
you think SOP
First, with an expression Of mystl.
ifcatiOn, then with sudden illumination
Of soul, Miss Wyman regarded Bert.
Her face turned scarlet. She under.
stood the alluslon,
Let me play the fairy godmother,"
smiled the audacious young man. ~
know you want to dance. Il will at
once send you a package which !
luckily rescued from the river"
"You have made me very happy"
she said, us they rested after many
whirling rounds Of the barn floor.
1T was the fault of my little Sis
ters." Dolly tried to explain. her face
averted. II was--well-breaking them
In"
'Meaning the slippers?"
"0f course, and the children would
wade, and--and-"
"My ship came in!" alleged the i'm.
pertinent Bert.
"You know, must see You safe
home--just like the fairy godmother!"
suggested Bert.
''As far us the gate, then. only"
bargai,ed Dolly. '6pr you must know
there Is q real practical grandmother"
"AIld thank syou for restoring my
lost slippers,"l said Dolly. .as they
spoi0e'a mutual goodnight. .'.If any
thOdv alaa Ind found thom-,p