The bee., 1882-06-24
.. Ws,, a doo them - answered Rhoda,

Well, a dog them" answered Rhoda,
{" Now this maiden was afraid OF living
alone, but she had to. because she
hadn't any friends except the kitten and
the dog. They were more to her tnan
all the world beside, because they
loved her. Well, it got to be winter,
and she had to 60 out into the forest to
pick up sticks TO burn, and one day q
great wolf saw her, and followed her
home. sx.
"sGo awayl' she told the wolf.
"But the wolf shook his head, and
wouldn't go.
"sGiye me the kitten to eat he
said, gnashing his teeth together at the
door.
"sYou can't have the kitten,
answered the maiden.
"rGiye me the dog, then, snarled
the wolf.
SIS You sha'n't have that, either de-
clared the maiden. -.
"'Pll have them, and you too said
the wolf. glaring at the window. 1
won't wait long, and then he showed
his sharp teeth, and growled.
"Then the maiden took her kitten
and her dog and thought she'd run out
at the back door. She didn't know
where to 90 to all she thought was to
get away from the wolf But when she
opened the back-door, there stood the
brute, snarling and growing.
"sOh, you can't get away from me.
he gritted, showing his great, sharp
teeth. I'm going to eat you up But
Just then brave prince came riding by
out of the forest, and he slew the wolf
and saved the maiden, and-oh dear !!
oh dear ~ And Rhods broke down
crying. She had woven her own pitiful
little story into the fairy-tale, but
where was her reseuer to come from 7?
Who would save her from the wolf at
the door-and Mr.. Brownlow?
A step on the stairs A knock, and
then before Rhoda could open the door,
a tall, brown faced fellow came tumbl-
ing in, and
"Tom Toni" shrieked Rhoda.
"Oh Tom /"
And Tom had her in his arms by that
time. kissing her, and calling her his
sweetheart.
"I thought I'd never find you. I've
been hunting from one place to another
for month. And this is Lucy, is il I?
And this is the boy who was baby when
1 went away? Dear me! How they've
grown |" And Tom Rugged and kissed
them all around in rough, hearty sailor
fashion. while Rhoda looked on, and
cried softly for JOY.
"Are you Rhoda's prinee?" asked
Rob soberly.
ell don't know said Tom, who
didn't understand.
Then Rhoda had to explain.
eyes, I'm Rhoda's prince" answered
Tom "I'll drivethe wolf away"
Then he went out, but came back
pretty soon with his arms full of bun
dies. Such supper as they had Rob
woke up in the night and laughed ut
remembrance OF it. Apples and
oranges, and golden. brown cakes, and
tea-with sugar in itl-a luxury that
bordered so close on sinful extravaganza
that Rob felt rather doubtful about in
dulging in it-and nuts, and a mince-
pie Oh but it was glorious
The next day Mr.. Brownlow came for
his answer.
"You see," explained Robbie, for
Roda and Tom had gone out some
where; "she can't marry you, for her
prince has come back, and she loves
him, and she is going to marry him.
"Her prince?" repeated Mr.. Brown
low, greatly mystifed /; 81 don't under
s and"
MAYBE not" answered Rob. "but
it's so. I guess the've gone off some
where to get married now. Toms
splendid, tell you, L think 50, and so
does Rhoda."
Rhoda and Tom are happy as the day
is long in their pretty little home, and
there is no wolf at the door. But on
many an evening little Rob begs to
have the "Prince story" told over
again and somehow Tom enjoys it too.-
Ehrich's Quarterly.