The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1892-06-24
VOL. XXXVU---NO. 26.

to lead to any suspicion as to his in
tegrity. But his Waterloo by no
means called for ST. Helena. Una
dashed by repeated failures, Prince
Henry was not afraid to fail again,
and he did SO, this time as an agent
for an insurance company, his COM
mission not exceeding two per cent. of
his office rent And so he passed on
from failure to failure, and at the end
of the five years the two cavaliers pre-
sented themselves at the house of
Portia-one eminent, rich, successful
the other eminent only as II failure,
rich only in debts, successful only i'll
lacking success.
And Portia received them both with
smiles. Her heart was still true to
both.
"Hullon sneered Prince John, as
he caught sight of Prince Henry en-
tering the front door, What are you
here for? You don't suppose you
have any chance now, do you p
No" returned Prince Henry, sad
ly. Il am here simply as matter of
form that is all. / said I'd be here,
and here l am. shall content myself
with saying good-by to Portia, and
congratulating YOU
Il
you've had hard luck, Hal, for fact.
I'm deucedly sorry for you, old fellow,
but it wasn't my fault
No returned Prince Henry, st
wasn't
And then Portia came in.
1--WE have come for your formal de-
cision, Portia,'' said Prince Henry
"Of course l know what it is to be, SO
if 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-
ton about it Jack has proved him
self to be the better man.
That's very true, returned POrtia.
But [ don't think it's nice of you,
Prince Henry, to forestall my decision
i'll that way. In fact, it mostimpels
me to change my mind, and marry
Prince jack
Change your what and marry
which p roared Prince Jack. 81
didn't hear exactly right, did -
Prince Henry was speeches.. 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 don't mean to say there is any
question about my being accepted p
queried Prince John.
Why, certainly" returned Portia.
II had decided in Henry's favor be-
cause he scored the greater number of
points. You have succeeded, and he
has not. But he has been pertinacious.
1 admire success. l admire pertina-
city and / sympathiZe with failure, so
that the record now stands: Prince
John-Love, points Affection, .
points Admiration, > points; Total,
Is. Prince Henry-Love, 3 points
Affection, ) points Admiration, .
points; Sympathy, ) points; Total,
co.
"That's one way to look at it."
sneered Prince John; while Prince
Henry gazed blankly at the carpet.
Yes" replied Portia. And here
is another. You have fame and for
tune. Prince Henry has nothing.
You have shown your ability to stand
alone. Prince Henry has not. Shall
| give to the rich? Shall l support
the strong and neglect the weak -
"Portia,' said Prince John, you
are well-named. The great original
herself would bow to you in the matter
of argument. If Shylock could have
Ildu you lOT Ills lIt VI IldNC gu
his pound of flesh
Certainly he would,'' said Portia.
at was for Antonio to pay the bill,
not for Shylock to collect it,"
'Good ~ returned Prince John.
And good-morning. l congratulate
YOU, Henry, on your good fortune, but
| cannot say envy you. Life with IL
women so reason able as Portia can
not be bliss unalloyed.''
'Stayr' cried Prince Henry, spring
ing to his feet. II cannot consent to
Portals arrangement. She is yours,
Jack, not mine You have won her
fairly and squarely. Take her, for |
shall not
Portia looked faint.
Mo- returned Prince Jack. She
has expressed 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 y
cried Prince Henry.
Nor can ~ roared Prince Jack.
Gentlemen said Portia, do not
quarrel. /"
But she addressed the empty air.
Both princes had rushed from
the house, not to quarrel, but each
actuated by a spirit of remuneration.
Two noble hearts indeed were they
and strong, for twenty years have
passed since then, and Portia is still
single.
The remuneration is still on, how
ever, 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 honeymoon.
JOHN KENDRICK BANGS.