Silver Shoes

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 72, 18 December 1928, Page 26 (Supplement)

Silver Shoes

A Pretty Christinas Tale

By

LAURETTA MAUD WILLOUGHBY

Exclusive to The Dominion

little girls at the kin J)| dergarten talked of Faj W Worth’s party every play SI time. There were to bt H bon-bons, and ' streamers and upon the cake, sis U lighted candles. Fay’s mother had made her a real party frock, all frills of tulle and net, and upon the sleeves tiny rosebuds of lace. She might even wear a rose in her hair. And her shoes! They had really truly buckles that shone in the dark, and in the light glistened like diamonds. It was to be a beautiful party, you didn’t go home until long after bedtime. The moon would be shining when you went home. And maybe you would see a fairy in the gardens as you passed, and if you walked softly you might see a gnome on the moon path. Little June stood by. She was quite a new pupil at the kindergarten. She knew the little boy with the hoop was Peter Pollard, and they called the little girl in red Brenda Reed. She knew too, that they lived in the same road, and that Fay Worth lived in the tall brick house upon the corner. Little June lived with her aunts, Aunt Miralda, and Aunt Jude. She was seven years old. “I’m going to ask Mummy to send June an invitation,” Fay was saying. "Oh I wish we hadn’t to wait until tomorrow.” The bell rang, they formed a little line and marched into school, but June could think of nothing but the party. The cake with the candles upon it, and Fay’s party shoes. Did they really mean to invite her? How wonderful! The next day when the postman whistled, June was waiting eagerly at the door. Yes, surely, a little pink envelope. Oh! She stood with her little hands clasped, and her eyes dancing. Would her aunt never reach the mantelpiece for her-spectacles—never reach the desk for the ivory paper knife—Aunt Miralda! Aunt Miralda had read the invitation. She was talking to Aunt Jude. What was she saying? Did Aunt Jude think Mrs. Worth was related to the Marten Worths of Dorvigal? They hadn’t called. She knew nothing about them. They really couldn’t let June go. What was Aunt Jude saying? She couldn’t go to the party. Could not go? She clung to the skirt of Aunt Miralda. "Not go.” Iler heart was beating and her face felt hot. Aunt Jude was bending down. “No dear, we don’t know them. You couldn’t possibly go.” Little June ran into the garden. She must not cry yet, not yet, her aunts might change their minds, her eyes must not be red. You couldn’t go to a party with red eyes.

- covered her face with her hands and V shook with bitter sobbing. That night June had fallen asleep 3 long before the Sandman came, she , was so weary of crying. t On his way through Sleepy Valley, the Sandman knocked at the Dream i Man’s door. “There's a little girl at No. 7,” said he. “Who’s sadly in need of a dream.” The Dream Man wrapt his coat about him, felt in his pocket for his crimson cap, and came out and locked the door of his little wooden house.