The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-30
Prince Charming
By MARY SINTON LEWIS

the clock on the mantel. It was not
yet eight, and Sprague Staunton rarely
called before half after eight Then it
flashed across her mind that this would
be different from other calls-that he
would be eager to reach her as soon SIS
possible, that he would not sit there in
the straight-backed chair on the OPP
posite side of the fireplace and talk with
her with formal politeness, as he had
always done before. He was coming with
a lovers rights. He would take her to
| his arms-she felt herself. trembling
the step in the hall came nearer. The
maid entered with a note. Clare tore it
open with fingers that shook
''My Dear Clare-I cannot let you marry
| me. When tell you this you will realize,
| perhaps, as you have never done. what
| my love for you means to me. I love you
| passionately, entirely. with all my
strength, and that is the reason that I
must give you up. Thank you-ol1, thank
/ you-for being honest with me. -
| ."And wait, dear, for Prince Charming.
! If he never finds you, you will at least
| have been true to what is best in you. In
| being false to that, am sure you would
never find the wider scope and the bigger
usefulness for which You long. Some
would, in your place, perhaps, but not
you. You see that instead of being a
crusty old bachelor. as ought to be. I am
q young idealist still-but that is all your
| fault.
IT am going to drop in soon after my
note reaches you, just for a quiet good
by. I find that cannot go away without
that. There is a piece of work in London
that must be looked after. and am glad
to take the chance for a sea trip. Faith
fully yours. s-Sprague Stanton
AS the girl finished reading the letter.
the fire, cracking nosily. threw a spark
hn,- foot Sh. foI nod Gle Ivy how
it's way into the Persian rug, then flicker
and go out. She realized with a start
that she had not extinguished it. Rising,
she swept the hearthstone clear of ashes
and arranged the fender to protect the
rug. Stepping to the glass; she pinned a
stray lock of hair into its place. Then
she sat down and tried to think. But her
mind seemed strangely blank. Even the
cracking Of the fire annoyed her.
She could not have told whether she had
sat there minute or an hour when the
maid brought her Sprague Staunton's
card. .. / @..f
When he came in the room seemed to
brighten. There was a sunshine about his
personality which every one felt without
quite understanding. This evening his
face was unclouded The girl looked at
him and wondered. Was this the man
whose letter lay in her lap?
You got my note? Is it all right" he
| asked her. She nodded silently.
Then with a quick change of tone:
THANK you," he said. land now am off
on sea trip-old seadog that am. can
fairly smell the salt already
''You ought to have been sailor" she
said, quickly responsive. *"f+
| And so they talked of his trip, of his
stay in London, of her plans for the COM
ing winter-of everything save of the one
Subject that lay heavy on both their
| hearts. .-' ssa'
When he rose to go, Clare rose too. and
stood before him. her back to the fire.
AS the light struck suddenly upon his
face, she saw that his eyes were full OF
tenderness. But his voice did not break
| and the grip of his hand was firm when
he babe her good-by.
AS she heard his quick step ring along
the hall the room began suddenly to swim
! round her. Her throat grew dry; her
heart seemed to stop beating. In a mo-
ment the heavy front door would open and
close again and Sprague Staunton would
be gone out of her life forever.
Mastered by an emotion such as she
had never known, she stretched out her
arms blindly and called his name. She
heard the front door open. Oh, Il he
should not hear! She forgot that she
could recall him by note on the morrow.
forgot everything save that he was going
from her, and that she must not let
him CO.
"Sprague.' she cried desperately
"Sprague!''
In an instant he was beside her and had
gathered her into his arms.
81 love you! Oh, how I love you
Prince Charming she whispered.