River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-01-12

were sitting upon the same bench OF
the veranda. The moon was shinin1
brightly, and it was awfully late-fo.
the princess-eight o'clock, believe
| was feeling terribly cut up over hei
coming departure, and confded n
much to her. She was awfully sympa-
thetic, although decorously so, and,
really, ! couldn't resist kissed the
princess royal lips. | guess | 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- hard
~ 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, ard really since then have al
ways had a 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"
st 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!"
Eyes, and you weren't the only one
to dance with her, either. had eight
dances with her myself"
81 thought as much"
well, 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 a regular resurrection!
You of course noticed that | have been
owfuily attentive TO her for the last
four days? But that's of little conse-
quence, Phil, will you swear yourself
to the hottest secrecy? If you will you
Nay 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
all about her being my princess, and
how sad | was when she cried and how
much sadder was when she went away
from Mackinac. Then l asked her If
she remembered that time when
kissed her. She never wavered, as she
answered very quietly and ministerial
ly, i do
"Of course / didn't stop here. Then
asked her, and very softly, too, if she
did not think it foolish in her to have
sobbed and fed to her mamma on that
suspicious occasion, and, do you believe
me. she answered softly, 4 do
And l didn't stop there. either
Alice | said, you used to be just a
princess; now you are perfect queenn
This kind of fused me, and was afraid
she might think me chump; so | rat
tied away without giving her time to
think. Alice, have loved you for II
Years; | swear it; and don't care if you
DC think that I'm a brazen fool; you
were my princess once; won't you be
my princess now? This may all ap-
pear a little sudden at first thought,
but, my heavens! must a fellow love a
girl more than II years before he can
ever propose to her? Tell me, Alice;
dent you think that I'd be fit consort
for royalty?' l exclaimed with plain
tive smile.
For fully minute, and il seemed
year, my heart stood still. At last she
leaned toward me slightly, placed her
hand in mine, and looking me steadily
but gently in the eyes, said in a low
whisper, L do. You have the royal
favor
And she didn't sob and run to her
mamma this time, Phil, although that
excellent parsonage was not 'ar from
that particular nook of ours. She GER
tainly is a wonderi The way she lis
tened to my proposal was something
beautiful-a regular marriage cere-
mony in itself. Oh, Phil, she is the
veritable incarnation of all that is beau
tifu and lovable!"
But words were entirely inadequate
Phil sat buried in contemplation for
fully five minutes; then, rising slowly
from his chair, came over, put his hand
on my shoulder and looked me straight
in the eyes.
bill, you are either a very clever fell
low or a great liar!"
"Phil, then I'm very clever fellow; /
swear i'll"
Lets have a drink"
Lets have a drink"
ITO the princess?"
ITO the princess"