The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-11-16
Miss Susan's
Slippers
By cLARIssA MAcxiE


form, where she was caught In the
swirl of rushing people, and finally
tossed aside breathlessly, to sink
down upon one of the empty benches
panic-stricken at her own plight.
Her new slippers-dainty; patent
leather with three straps--were gone
from her feet. She curled her SILL
shod toes under the bench. .and dis
mally wished she had bought the
larger ones; but Susan had been fas-
cinated by. the daintiness of the little
pumps, and though the shop did not
have her size she had recklessly sue
cumbed TO her delight in them and
worn them away, leaving her own
shoes to be sent. - Now they had dis
appeared amid the hurying feet OF
the crowd some one had picked them
up and Susan Argyle must so home
shoeless!
Tears came to her velvety eyes. She
had bought those slippers with the
first money she had ever earned, and
there would be no more to spare for
another week at least.
Another train roared into the sra-
tion, the pandemonium reigned for a
few minutes and then the platform
was vacant save for Susan Argyle, sit
ting forlornly on her bench, and a
lone youth who was walking toward
her holding a pair of dainty little
slippers. When she recognized him
Susan's warm, pink face froze into
sudden pallor.
Now he was speaking to her, his
cool voice punctuated with surprise.
Excuse me, madam-why, Susan
what are you doing here In this
draughty tombr'
"Ah, how dye do?" drawlcd Susan
with forced calmness, her eyes covet-
ously on the slippers dangling from
his hand. He was still wearing that
silly ring she had given him. IL am
waiting for a train, Jerry"
Here she comes now," as two
green eyes peered out of the tunnel
and the train roared In. II just
found these slippers. Didn't lose 'eIn,
did you?" shouted Jerry.
How silly!" shrieked Susan.
A gong sounded somewhere, the
doors slammed shut and the train
roared away, while the crowd dwinded
away to Susan and Jerry and two
young girls giggling in front Of q
chewing gum machine. One of them
was powdering her nose and the other
labOred over the broken strings of u
shabby little shoe.
''Why didn't you take that train p
demanded Jerry.
II wasn't ready" Susan was plan.
ming how to regain possession of her
property without letting Jerry Farm,
ham discover her plight. "Why don't
you put them In the refuse can and
some one who needs shoes can picl,
them outT" Who needed them more
than Susan herself?
1--WE 2etter plan than that" said
practical Jerry, looking at the giggline
giils. "See the poor kid with her
wornout thoes I'll bet she could
wear these" And in another instant
the girl Was indeed wearing them
away, to the accompaniment of duet
Of slggles.
Susan hated Jerry Farnham more
than ever: livery morning since she
had broken her engagement to him
and had left her Aunt Rosina's home
to earn her own livelihood Susan
Argyle had recited seven good reasons
why she could not marry Jerry. The
| first reason was that he was too prac
| tical and the seventh one was that
she knew she could never be happy
with him. Now she was convinced
A cold white fame of anger seemed tc
burn within her, and Jerry, watching
her hungrily, was amazed ut the utter
adherence In her eyes.
What could be done?
Two red eyes peered around the
curve of the tunnel. Another trair
roared into the station. There was {
sudden outpouring Of passengers thai
almost submerged the bench and II,
lone occupant, who was struggling I,
rise. Susan was swept into the fioot
of people boarding the train and sanl
Into corner seat, with her stockinget
toes tucked under her skirts.
Door slammed. guards shouted ani
amid q changing of bells the rralr
roared its way toward upper Man
haitian.
MY dearl" breathed Susan to her
self.
Jerry on the empty platform stared
at the empty bench, glared at tn,
empty tracks and the departini
dragon which had evidently born,
Susan away from his aching arms.
How many weeks had passed since
his darling Susan had quarreled will
him about the furnishing of their ru
ture homer A thousand weeks TheI
she had quarreled with her good Aun
Rosina because of her break will
Jerry and had with many tears taker
farewell and gone away to earn he
own living.
II shall be happier alone for ,
WHILE" she had told Aunt Roslna, VIII,
was very rich In experience as well al
In worldly goods. II shall soon forge
all about Jerry"
When Aunt Rosina told this to Jerr,
he fiared hotly.
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