Evening star., 1927-09-04
LADY SLIPPER
Bv Ella Wister Hdines
Author of "MYTERIOUS SWEETHEART"
Co,vr,pbt 1926 Thomson Feature Service. Inc.

! and il i can help you out in the
meantime, don't hesitate to call"
Christopher thanked him, then set
about writing his cables. wording the
one to Prof. Morris as tactfully as
| possible.
ship stranded near canal. Anne
safe. Will keep you informed"
To the paper he sent voluminous
story, knowing that Mr.. Kean would
lose no time in informing Prof, Nor
ris Of full details Satisfied that he
had done everything necessary, Chris
went in search of the Strangers
Club, locating it, as the official had
said, without the slightest difficulty.
Disappointment awaited him there.
No Mr.. Winston was registered. No
body had seen person answering to
his description.
Have YOU tried the Washington
Hotel?" the man in charge of the
club suggested: Everybody goes
there"
Christopher hurried off, his mind
busily engaged in solving his new
problem. Where was Winston? Why
had the fellow failed to keep an ap-
pointment he had himself proposed?
There was no doubt that he had
reached Gatun Locks safely and re-
ported the wreck. Where had he
gone now?
1t was maddening to have to wait
so long for the rescuing tug. Poor
Anne, stranded on that steaming
beach. II there were only some way
of reaching her.
She'll never set out of my sight
again as long as she lives" he
promised himself solemnly, and
crossed his heart as the small boy
Chris had often done. long ago! AT
any rate, We'll have great story to
hand down TO our descendants. our
first big adventure and" he added
vehemently, Il hope our last ship
wreck"
The Washington Hotel was hand
some and pretentious hostelry, built
in the old Spanish style with corri-
dors leading in many directions, and
balconies opening from bedroom
windows. Chris paused upon the
veranda. which overlooked the sea.
taking in the beauty of the scene
before him, the wide eXpanse of
ocean, the waves still dashing high,
the busy harbor with its ships lying
at anchor. the broad expanse of green
sward which lay between the hotel
and the beach, the palm trees and
tropical shrubbery so artistically
planted. and felt as if he had entered
fairyland The only thing lacking
was the Princess! Chris wondered
if he were really awake.
Surely he was wandering in a
dream world. and must soon return
to reality. He slipped his hand in
side his shirt to make sure that the
crystal slipper was really there. Its
smooth unyielding surface answered
the question. Yes, he was alive and
in the flesh. and Anne was waiting
for him, far away on a tropical
beach!
1t was hard to tear himself away
from this fairyland of beauty, but
time was not hanging on his hands,
and Chris hurried into the hotel lobby
and inquired at the desk for Mrs.
Winston and her son. The clerk,
who had had news of the stranding
of the Hope was Immediately inter
ested in Chris and his story, but the
register failed to show the name OF
Winston: indeed no passengers had
arrived from the disabled steamer as
yet
They'll be in this evening and we
can take good care of them until the
ship is repaired" the hotel man as
sured Chris. Possibly your friends
had acquaintances who had given
them shelter here in Cristobal. Have
you inquired at the telegraph office?
They have undoubtedly got into
communication with their people in
the United States"
Chris engaged a room, and went
out in search of clothing, His scanty
attire consisting of a pair OF white
flannel trousers and a sport shirt at
tracted too much attention, and it
might be several days before he could
recover his belongings.
And as he made his purchase he
was careful to keep his eyes wide
open for a glimpse of Winston, should
that young man be anywhere in the
vicinity, calling again at the Strang.
ers Club just before going to the dock
to board the tug. but with no better
result.
Probably Mr.. Winston will have
arrived by the time you get in again