The Lamar register., 1892-08-06

rrince John, Prince Henry took one
oaekward. lie too tried the law. md
laiied. He too tried literature. vet
succeeded not. Next Prince Henry
.rieu TO become a yolng Napoleon OF
nhiince, and did SO well that he
niet MS Waterloo, and came ont
sans everything save his good name in
Tess than six months. The good name
ne managed to retain, though it was
sadiy mortgaged. Money had been
borrowed on 1T, but not in sucn q,
fashion asto lead to any suspicion as
TO his integrity. But his Waterloo by
no means called for St. Helena. In
aoashed by repeated failures. Prince
ii nry was not afraid to fail again,
ana he did so, this time as an agent
TOT an insurance company, his com
mission not exceeding two per cent OF
nus olilce rent. And so lie passed on
from failure to failure, and mt the
end oil hive years The two cavaliers
presented themselves at the house OF
Portia-one eminent. rich. successful;
the other eminent only as failure,
rich only in debts, successful only
in lacking success.
And Portia received them both with
smiles. Her heart was still true to
both.
"IIullol" sneered Prince John. Ms
ne caught sight OF Prince Henry enter
ing the front door. What are you
here forr You don't supposeyou have
any chance now, do your"
NO, returned Prince Henry. sadly.
am here simply as a matter OF
form; that is all said I'd be here,
and here am alleontent myself
with saying eood-by to Portia, and
eonsratulating you.
.'Ahl' said Prince John. soitening.
you've had hard luck, Hal for a TACT.
I'm deucedly sorry fer you old fellow,
but It wasn't my fault
NO" returned Prince Henry, "it
wasn't"
And then Portia came in.
We have come FOR Your formal
decision, Portia," said Prince Henry.
"Ot course know what it is to be, SO II
It gives you any pain to announce it
in my presence. don't do so. Let me
take it for granted. There's no ques-
tion about it, Jack has proved him
self the better man"
That's very true" returned Por-
tia. "But | don't think it's Mise of
you. Prince Henry, 70 iores,all ny
decision in that way. In fact, it
almost impels me to change my mind,
and marry Prince Jack"
Change your what and marry
which," roared Prince Jack. Il
didn't hear exactly right, did lg''
Prince Henry was speeehless. He
did not know whether 10 be full of
Joy or of amazement.
Change my mind, and marry you"
repeated Portia, looking severely ut
Prince John.
You don't mean TO say there is
any question about my being accept
edr" queried Prince John.
why, certainly" returned Portia.
II had dccided in Henry's favor be-
cause he scored the greater number OF
points. You have succeeded, and he
has not. But he has been pertina.
cious | admire success. | admire
pertinacity and | sympathike with
failure, so that the record now stands
Prince John-Love. > points, AfIec-
ton, ) points, Admiration, > points.
Total, 10. Prime Heury-Love. .
points, Affection, ) points, Admira-
tion. . points; sympathy, points,
Total, 20"
That's one way to look Mt K, "
sneered Prince John; while Prince
Henry razed nlankly at the carpet.
"Yes," replied Portia. And here
is another. You have fame aud for
tune. Prince Henry has nothing You
have shown your ability to stand
alone. Prince Henry has rot. Snail
give TO the rich? Shall | support the
strong and neglect the weak"
"Portia," said Prince 1ohn, "you
are well-named. The great original
herself would bow to you in the
matter of argument. Ii Shylock
could have had You for his counsel,
he'd have got his pound OF flesh"
Certainly he would." said Portia.
sit was for Antonio to pay the bill,
not for Shylock to collect 1t.
"Goodi'' returned Prince John.
"And good-morninG. / congratulate
you, Henry, on your good rtune,
but cannot say ! envy you. Lille
with woman so reason able as
Portia cannot be bliss unalloyed- -
"scayl" cried Prince Henry, spring
ing to his feet. 81 cannot consent to
Portals arrangement - She IS yours,
Jack, not Tiitie. You have won her
iairiy and squarely. Take her, for
shall not"
Portia looked faint.
s.No," returned Prince Jack. "She
has expressed n preference for you,
and that settles it. As a gentleman |
cannot appeal from her decision, and
1 shall not remain any longer"
Jack, you must; for | cannotE
Iaprr-
"Nor can II" roared Prince Jack.
"Gen,lemen," said Portia, ''Do not
quarrel. -
But she addressed the empty air.
Both princes had rushed from the
house, not to quarrel, but each actu-
ated by n spirit OF rcnunciation.
Two noble hearts indeed were they
and strong, for twenty years have
passed since then, ana Portia is still
single.
The re-uaeiation Is Still on however,
and is likely to remain SO for some
time TO come. since both princes have
married-Prince John twice. and
Prince Henry even now is enjoying his
third honey y-moon.-Harper's Week