Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1892-07-09


called for a st. Helena. Unahashed by
repeated failures, Prince Henry was not
afraid to fail again and he did so, this
time as an agent for an insurance com
pany, his commission not exceeding two
per cent. Of his office rent And SO he
passed on from failure TO failure, and at
the end Of five years the two cavaliers
presented themselves at the house of
Portia one eminent, rich, successful;
| the other eminent only as a failure, rich
only in debts, successful only in lacking
success.
And Portia received them both with
smiles Her heart was still true to both.
"Hulo!" sneered Prince John, as he
caught sight Of Prince Henry entering
| the front door. 'What are you here fCr2
You don't suppose you have any chance
now, 90 your
mo- returned Prince Hehry, sadly.
/ 81 am here simply as matter of form;
! that is all. | said l'd be here, and here
um, | shall content myself with saying
good by to Portia, aud congratulating
4 you.
Az. said Pfince John, softening
Y "a We had hard luck, Hal, for fact.
N deucedly sorry tor you, old fellow,
out il WASH my fault.
No returned Prince Henry, lit
wasn't
And then Portia came in
| I'VE nave come for your formal de-
cision, P0rta," said Prince Henry. "0f
course | know what it's TO be, so if 1t
| gives you any pain to announce 1t in my
presence, don't dc so, Let me take il for
/ granted. There's no question about 1t,
To- ls,s -
That's very tvjle returned Portid
| But | don't think It's nice of you,
| Prince Henry, TO forestall my decision in
| that way. In fact, 1t almost impels me
20 change my mind, and marry Prince
| Jack.
Change your what and marry which p
roared Prince Jack. | didn't hear ex.
actiy right, did ~"
Prince Henry was speechless. He did
not know whether to be full OF JOY or OF
| amazement.
Change my mind, and marry you, -
| repeated Portia, looking severely at Prince
/ John.
you dom mean to say there is any
question about my being accepted2'
queried Prince John.
"Why, certainly" returned Portia
81 had decided In Henry's favor because
! he scored the greater number of points
you have succeeded and he has not. But
ne has been pertlnaclous. | admire sue
| cess. admire pertinaclty and ] sym
pathize with failure, 80 that the record
now stands Prince John-Love, 3 points,
Affection, points, Admiration, points
Totil, Is. Prince Henry-Loye 3, points,
Affection, points, Admiration, points,
| Sympathy, D points. Total, 20
That one way TO look at it, sneered
Prince John; while Prince Henry gazed
blankly at the carpet.
YES, replied Portia. And here is an
other You have fame and fortune
Prince Henry has nothing. You have
shown your ability to stand alone. Prince
Henry mas not. Shall give to the rich ?
Shall ] support the strong and neglect the
weak 2'
"Portia said Prince John, 'you are
wel-named. The great original herself
would bow TO you in the matter of argu-
ment. If Shylock could have had you for
his council, he'd have got his pound Of
flesh.
Certainly he would, said Portia. "Et
was for Antonio to pay the bill, not for
Shylock to collect it. "
Good returned Prince John. And
good morning. congratulate you, Henry,
on your good fortune, but ! cannot say
envy you. Life with a woman 30 reason
able as Portia cannot be bliss unalloyed ="
'Stay!' cried Prince Henry, spriTging
to his feet. 81 cannot consent to Portia' 8
arrangement. She is yours, Jack, not
mine. Yo1 have won her fairly and
squarely. Take her, for ! shall not.
Portia looFed faint
'No, returned Prince Jack. "Sde has
expressed a preference for you, and that
settles it. AS a gentleman | cannot appeal
from her decision, and shall not remain
any longer. "
"Jack, you must; for / cannot!' cried
Prince Henry.
Nor can !" roared Prince Jack
Gentlemen, said Portia, do not quar-
rel, l."
But she addressed the empty air. Both
princes had rushed from the house, not to
quarrel, but each actuated by spirit of
renunciation.
Two NOBLE hearts indeed we're they and
strong, for twenty years have passed since
then, and Portia Is still single.
| The remuneration 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 il enjoying his third honey
moon John Kendrick Bangs in Harper
Weekly.