The Forrest City times., 1899-01-06

heA neholihg 10 ber fond
mammals arms. 1 forgot that I was
wicked, AID almost forsook Hoboken
Hank. Uncle Bob thought that | had
reformed, and consequently had much
peace for four or five days.
Not content with mopinp. devo.ed
myself to dress, and the time snen,
tying my sashes and bows would have
been credit to Brummel. used I,
wander around the hotel veranda when
the princess was strolling up and down
with her nurse or mamma, every dav
becoming more forlorn ad discoura ced
lest should never meet her. But one
day success was mine. While walking
around corner Of the big veranda witb
her nurse, a sharp gust of wind took the
princess little black hat and rapidly
whirled it toward me, tumbling her
gold hair ruthlessly about. Picking up
the darling hat l darted forward and
with very stately bow. one had been
pracicing for three or four davs
presented it to the little blushing beam
ty, who gurgled out an abashed Thank
YOU The nurse laughed right heartily
at our juvenile formality for fully
minute, while the princess and waited
uneasily. What is your name, little
man" she asked. Willie Williams I
replied, with as much formality az
possible. The nurse laughed again, but
very kindly this time. Then, making
a playful! courtesy, said: Mr.. Willie
Williams, my protege, Miss - But
mustn't tell you the princess name
now; that would spoil the whole story.
Anyway, we became the best of friends.
Every afternoon we would stroll up
and down the hotel grounds or along
the beach; or, what was better, drive
around the island with mamma. As
we were both disciples of Hans Ander-
son we ussd to have the finest kind
of times talking about the miller's
daughter who married the king, or
about the poor youngest son who Sc.
out TO seek his fortune and met with
good fairy in his rambles. Then the
trips ever to Les Cheneaux islands and
st. lgnace were grand. On these oc-
casions | used to get terribly reckless,
spending my dimes with a careless
abandon that was highly amusing to
the queen. One day l bought an In
dian doll, which l presented to the
princess with great gravity. This also
was very amusing to the queen, and
very pleasing. too, l guess, for she
kissed me very heartily and told me
that was little gem. She was a
beautiful woman.
But at last the princess had to go
back TO her home in Nashville. The
evening before her departure we two
were sitting upon the same bench on
the veranda. The moon was shining
brightly, and it was awfully late-for
the princess-eight o'clock, 1 believe.
! was feeling terribly cut up over her
coming departure, and confded as
much to her. She was awfully sympa-
thetic, although decorously so, and.
really, l couldn't resist kissed the
princess royal lips. | guess l was in
discreet, for she Immediately became
frightened and ran to her mamma, Sob
bing softly in spite of my entreaties.
protestations and apologies. That was
an awful night for me.
''The next morning-sunshine raises
the deuce with sentimentality-I hard
ly dared to look at her as she waved
rather formal good-by to me from the
carriage window.
''Of course | was gloomy for several
days, and really since then I have al
ways had yearning for the golden
haired princess who had disappeared
entirely from my life"
"Well, go on" said Phil; "surely, that
can't be all. and I'm devilishly interest
ed. too
1T isn't all, by any means. Do you
know whom you danced the cotillon
with tonight"
"Why. Alice Clark, of course"
"Alice Clark; yes. And she's the
princess!"
THE deuce you say!"
"Yes, and you weren't the only ones
to dance with her. either. I had eight
dances with her myself"
II thought as much"
well, 1 met her at tea Saturday, and
have hardly let her get out of my sight
since. Isn't she perfect star? And
isn't her mother handsome?'
But what the deuce did-she say to
you-did you say to her? And did she
remember you, too? And of course you
both laughed over your infantile love-
making, with its embarrassing end
ing?"
"Yes, we did laugh over those old
times. She remembered me 100, very
distinctly, I'm sure. But, say, Phil, how
in heavens name did you happen to
have Alice Clark on her junior week?
Gee this is regular resurrection!
You of course noticed that have been
awfuily attentive to her for the last
four days? But that's of little conse-
ouence. Phil, will you swear yourself
to the holiest secrecy If you will you
may hear the sequel to this strange and
rambling story of mine"
Il swear"
Tonight we sought out quiet cor
ner at the Lyceum and talked over
Mackinac to our hearts content in the
chummiest kind of manner. | told her