Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1922-01-26
The Modern
Cinderella
b MuRIEL BLAIR.

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 a
wealthy lawyer. Esther mourned her
husbands death decently for 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 a friend.
at is only necessary TO look at the
children's faces. Did you ever see q
more giaring contrast between beauty
and LONELINESS? Beauty and the
beast / should call it 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 tie trimmings had
been removed and certain dowdi-
ness impaired by Mrs Lanham's delft
fingers. That excellent Woman knew
the value of foil for her daughter,
particularly now that Beatrice was OF
marrlageable age. Beatrice was
kinder. Once she gave Elizabeth one
of her cast-off gowns.
Lester Martin had been a frequent
caller at Mrs. Lanhams house ofyFe-
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 hurryins
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 ever see anything of
you, Miss Benton?" he asked, detain.
ing her. A
Elizabeth did not know what to say,
so she said nothing.
"You dear little Cinderella" sald
Lester Martin, and bent down and
kissed her.
She cried wildly for hours, until Bea-
tricc 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 loveI
with me- she said.
''Do you love him, Bcatrice?' ind
CURED Elizabeth,s
II don't know. 1 guess could,t
said Beatrice, whirling about "Mam-
ma says you needn't come down to-
night because we are having guests
She came back presently. do you
know cid 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 B
four weeks. She went so happily about
her duties that more than once she
caught sight Of Mrs. Lanham survey
ing her with amazed disapproyal. AT
last the night of the ball arrived.
you nerd not sit UP for u.s. said
Mrs. Lanham conGescendingly.
When the auto rolled away she hur.
ried upstairs and slipped into the bali
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 grayely
ask her, her head swayed and her eyes
filled with sudden tears.
"Shall we go into the conserva.
tOTy ne asked, Wnen 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 Inatter?" Lester asked,
as they sat down. "Yon are not feel
ing we'll? May 1 get you u glass ii I
water?'
She shook her head Lester placed
his hand upon hers.
"Do You think do not Know who
you are. Cindereilag" be aslsed '.for
all that mask See if 1 can taess.
Yon are MISS Benton, ana You ran
away fe the dance,
And / can never SO home, said
Elizabeth in panic she recognized
me. + had never been to 4 nan be-
fore, and ! could not bear not 10 just
once. don't kncw what / shalI do.
''I'll tel YOU" said Lester. ''You
need never 60 home again il yon will 4
marry ne. Y
He mistook the look III her ewes