A Modern Cinderella

awful cold upstairs. Be sure to wrap yourself good in the old blanket. And pu

t dreadfully. But Bridget never did it. Sometimes she hit her a slap on the shoulder. She couldn't even bear

say it. Sometimes she took a strap to

rap in Bethany Home thoug

mber about

t!" Bridge

ternoon instead of Thursday because they had late dinners during the we

the dishes, scoured out the sink and set the chairs straight around. It was a basement kitchen with a din

Jack to bother with. She sang a few hymns she knew, she said over several, little poems she had learned and spelled a few words. Bridget had tu

as waiting for Bridget. So she shook up the old cushion, brought up the stool, sat on that and laid her head in the

idn't think the twins pretty at all. They had round chubby faces and almost round eyes, and mouths that looked as if they were just ready to whistle, and brown fuzzy hair without a bit of curl in it. But they were good, "as good as kittens," t

said he was a "holy terror," but she thought holiness was goodness a

t compelled to eat her whole breakfast off of oatmeal, and always had such lovely desserts for dinner. And sometimes Mrs. Borden gave her and Jack a banana or a bit of

for such nonsense and Jack didn't like them. And in "One, two, buckle my shoe," she wondered which she liked best: "Nineteen, twenty, 5 my stomach's empty," or "ni

thing soft and shining and in her hand she held a stick with a bunch of gay b

inderella?" she began

t isn't

you brush up and carry them out in the morning. But

ig brogans. I put some soles inside of them, bits of velvet carpet and they keep my fee

ldren haven't any useful ideas," and 6 she laughed

ny such things; nor Santa Claus. I like the stories about 'em and I'm

ious, delightful laugh. "You are Cind

d as if it was sprinkled with diamond dust. She had never seen any one

t do you t

wide eyed an

on't think any one would mind much, but I do believe the twins would care. Bridget says there isn't a

nged, and you have no envious sisters. You're a ra

did you k

the softest,

ed, the little body was

tch over the Cinderellas and then when they find one to thei

trange," said t

like to go

t know what to do," hesitatin

aw you dancing with

can dance th

you lik

ith delight. "If you were a fairy godmot

eve in it at all, b

st step

shimmery pink silk frock with lace and ribbons and the daintiest pink kid slippers with diamond buckles and pink silk stockings with lovely clocks

other, and she threw a beau

nd Bridget catches all the mice and burn

ch with lamps on both sides, two horses and a driver, besides a footman who helped them in wi

by myriads of colored lights and the vestibule was hung with vines. There were statues standing round that looked like real people only they were so white from top to toe. Then they went up another beautiful stairway that led to a ga

like threads of silk. You must let it grow

er, "But she has dancing fe

them and only one

r turn, and they

oups were sitting together or rambling about. And a great circular room, down stairs lighted by a magnificent c

yes were full of tears

go down," s

ng about informally, some talking and laughing. There were the most elegantly attired boys in silks and velvets made in all pretty fashions. Silk stockings and light colored

And this is the new Cinderella. Take g

most enchant

said, as he took her hand, "But

nd a little squeeze an

o be introduced as Cinderella, but everybody was so

It was a grand march and the tapping of the feet seemed like an encore to the music. Then the first couple stepped

?" Sir Aldred

delightful. And the splendid dressing. Are t

ew one always dances with the Prince.

d." She really felt tea

rming. You see, it is different in fairy land. You forget for awhile who

there any gl

remember somet

you couldn't dance in a stiff glass slipper. It might shiver to pie

ul to be praised and she

one was drawing a long breath, and the lights were mysterious,

As for his attire, I couldn't begin to describe it, it

e lady up to him and sai

upon her hand and she was glad it

Cinderella, I hope you will h

st her eyes down in such a sweet fashio

d went round them, bowing as they passed. There were such fascinating figures, changing frequently, each one prettier than

ad been a fine lady and the odd thing was that she could answer him readily. The

hments. You must be tired after all this

ld dance all night. I b

test smile that any

e lightness goes out of their feet and the smiles from their rosy lips. The thing is to enjoy it while you are he

was a tiny lake full of blooming water lilies. There were mounds of fruit and flowers, nuts from all over the world, piles of cake, candied fruit, ices

a charming reply. Certainly there were no envious or jealous sisters. Every one was so merry and talked with his or her neighbor, and every girl had

d it at all," and she

ng nice and pleasant if you look for it in the right place. For little Cinderella, we must not be looking for tomorrow's joy. You cannot find the

s a good d

ose faith in fairy godmothers. They come at unexpected times and in different guise. And t

mysterious joy. She

ed so happy when he smiled and spoke to them. The beautifu

ieces, and the beautiful lights wavered and vanished. She was brought

t, instead of asleep in bed? Rouse up! rouse up! Lucky you

f-opened eyes. Yes, this was the old kitchen. There was Bridg

ding her but not cross. "It's a wonder the gobble sirs didn't come after you. If you'd been carrie

was some mysterious music floating through her brain and a fragrance in the air. The Prince smiled down into her e