Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-02-06
.Certoiniv Sir Ira only desired to

be driven slowly that we might ENJOY
the lovely afternoon, but since IL
grows dark and stormy, let us get Oh
by all means. especially as you are ex-
posed TO the weather. Had you not
better get intothe carriage and LEI M!
servant Antonio take your horse: ii-
CURED the princess.
II thank you. madame; and should
the storm really overtake us, l VIII
gladly avail myself OF your permission
TO do so; but l hope we shall get uhuer
shelter before it breaks upon us. fe-
piled the admiral: and then calling 10
tine coachman, Drive like the deuse,
Ned" he again fell behind.
The sky grew darker and darker, the
thunder rolled louder and nearer, and
though Ned really drove his horses as
if the Evil One were in chase OF nm:
he had only made the half circuit or
the park wall, and turned into the cir
cular avenue Of elms leading 10 tue
house. before the black, overhanging
canopy Of clouds was suddenly broken
by a binding flash of lightning, fol"
lowed by a stunning crash or thuluef
and falling deluge of rain.
The admiral Spurred his Steed. the
coachman whipped his horses, and IN
two minutes they reached the house.
The admiral Sprang from his horse, as
sisted the princess to alight from the
carriage. and led her into the house.
just in time to escape another Hash OF
lightning, peal Of thunder aud whirl of
rain.
They were met by the two old ladies,
who had come out into the hall TO co
honor to their guest. They were two
fine old danes, tall, thin, fair-faCed.
and grey-haired like their descendant.
the admiral. They Were both dressed
similarly in black satin gowns with
white muslin neckerchiefs and white
lace caps; and looked very much alike.
except that the elder had more flesh
and less hair than the younger. They
stood smiling and c~ourtesying with
pleasing, old-fashiOned affabiiity.
Madame Pezzilini." said the admi-
raj with formal courtesy, will your
hiGhneSs permit me to present to you
my grandmother, Mrs. Stilton, and MY
mother. Mrs. BrumtOn. who both feel
highly honorcd to receive you?"
THAT we do" said the elder.
Yes. I'm sure" added the other.
Ladies', kind friends" said the ILal-
ian. you see before you no princess.
but a poor widow. n stranger and a
fugitive. who seeks only a temporary
asylum under your h~ospitable roof"
You are kindly welcome, madame,
either as one or the other" said Mrs.
StiltOn. heartily. offering her hand.
An. that indeed yOu areI' chimcd in
Mrs. BruntOn. extending hers.
The princess received and pressed the
venerable hands. and was about to eX-
press her thanks when a broad glare
of lightning, accompanied by a dcafen-
ing roll of thunder and q shock of
wind and rain that seemed to shake
the house. made them spring apart.
The effect of this burst Of the tenn
pest was felt with the more force from
the fact that al the window shutters
were still open.
Good gracious. Try" said the oldest
lady, as soon as she had recovered
from the shock. surely you'll have
the shutters closed on such an awful
night Is this :"
NO. ma'am, not this night of all
nights in the year. The harder the
storm the greater the need Of 4 beacon
light TO guide any w%ayfdring traveller
To the house" said the admiral. de-
cidedly.
Then turning 10 the princess he adj
ded:
Madame, | havp,a custom of which
| hope You will not disapprove: it is
TO leave my window shutters open
every night up 10 the latest heur of re-
firing. so that the lights may shine
far out ovtr the downs to guide n
weary and benightpd traveller TO one
house, at least, where he is sure to
find welcome and succor. And espec-
tally on tempestuOus nights 7 Tight up
he whole house from top to bottom
10 invite n poor. storm-beaten way
farer TO its shelter. I hope you ap-
prove of the custom?''
Il think 1t a grand and beautiful in
stance of beneyolence," said the Drin-
cess in a fervent tone:
Il am rewarded replied the admi-
raj. that is, if l had deserved reward:
but the fact is. that in doing this
only pay n debt. Providence having
guided me through a very stormy ex-
stence into this safe port at last. the
least l can do is 10 open the harbOr
freely to all other tempeSt-tossed
harqueS. That is the reason l call il
the Anchorage; for any storm-driven
craft is free TO enter and drop anchor
here"
1T is nObly said began the nrin-
cess; but the words were interrupted /.
by another burst Of the tempest that
ratified all the windows md seemed to
shake the firm building TO it's founda-
ton.
Try, l must say that you are clean
mad. Every pane of glass in the
house will he shattered and cost no
end of money 10 replace. besides the
Inconvenience cried Mrs. Stilton. as
soon as she could recover Ecr breath
after the last shaking.
\ danger, grandmother: these old
windows have stood harder storms
than this replied the admiral. laugh
ing.
Then turning to the princess he said
in a low voice:
Madame Pezzilini, my grandmother
and mother are old-fashioned danes.
and so l hope that you will make al
lowance o their ways"
The quick ears of the old lad
caught this disparaging apology. and
she was prompt to reply.
Don't you mlnd that boy, madame.
like all young people. he thinks him
self wiser than his elders: but time
will teach him better and show him
that oid-fashioned ways are the best
ways after all"
The princess opened her large bI,,e
eyes in aStOnishmenf at haarin, ,hs.