Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-12-17
J The Testing of I
Princess LovelyIocks
BY BERTHA e. BUSH
Copyright. 1901. by Daily Story Pub. Col

HE Princess Lovely was in the
depths of trouble. 1t was only in
amateur theatircals that she was the
Princess Lovelylocks. In plain life she
was known as Miss Mamie Jones. And
life had been very plain TO her. She was
having the most exciting summer she
had ever known.
1t had begun in May when the family
council had decided that she needed a
change and had sent her to visit her
aunt She found the little town in which
her aunt lived-it seemed large one to
her inexperience-perfectly delightful
and, as is usual with delighted people,
she made many friends. The young peo-
pIe were getting up nome talent play,
one of the good. old-fashioned kind with
fairies and captive princesses and a real
Prince Charming in a blue velvet cloak.
and in this she was invited to tale part.
In the midst of the rehearsing Josephine
Maybe, the heroine, sprained her ankle
and had to give up the part Of Princess
Lovelylocks.
Who should take her place? Each girl
hoped it would be herself, for Prince
Charming was confessedly the idol OF
each maiden's heart, but no girl was
quite willing to give him up to any of
the others and so IL came about that
Mamie, as stranger, was chosen. Jo-
sephine chose her because this young
country girl seemed such a quiet and I'M
assuming little stronger that she did not
fear to leave the prince in her hands, and
she did not care whether the play sue
ceeded or not. Josephine was not a
favorite among her mates. for she was
as selfish belle as ever lived, and ready
TO ride rough-shod over friend and foe
III only she might get her own way. She
claimed Prince Charming, with exasper-
atng airs, as her own exclusive property,
but the matter was not settled yet and
the prince paid just enough attention to
every one in the set to keep them all
stirred up. There was not one among
them whom Josephine had not antagon-
fzed. They rejoiced openly at the pres
ent failure of her plans and had no hesi-
fancy about expressing their sentiments
to Mamie
She is just bound to have him and she
thought this play would fetch him. sure"
said Reba Lane. I'm just pleased over
the way il has turned out Now YOU lust
go In and get him. Mamie There isn't
one of us who won't do anything we can
TO help you. We are so mad at Josephine
that we'd spite ourselves to upset her
schemes. You'll have all our blessings"
And Mamie, with a becoming blush,
mad demurred so prettily that Prince
Charming, coming a round corner, had
seen for the first time that she was a
very pretty girl indeed. The Impression
grew on him. Mamie was very sweet and
unselhsh in all the eXisencies of rehears-
ing, and her acting proved Unexpectedly
good Little by little Prince Charming
was transferring his allegiance from
Josephine, who ragged upon her sofa. to
this gentler princess with whom he
enacted moving love scenes every night.
All, but nobody but Mamie herself
knew how the tones of Prince Charm
ings voice thrilled her and how dear the
acted love-making was growingI If he
should by any possibility come to care
for her! and certainly ne seemed more
devoted every night! The very thought
set her cheeks aflame and her heart heat
ing for gladness.
And now-it must all end. Not elo-
Tlously with grand performance. the
praise of many spectators and the de-
HghtfIl, wonderful possibilities of which
she did not dare to let herself think. but
IN the most prosaic manner with No
glory, nothing but heartache which She
must not on any account reveal She
was called home.
1t was not even some great exieencv
dent or sickness that would distract her
thoughts, make her the center of attrac-
ton for little while, and give her an
excuse for sadness.
Il don't want anything bad to happen
I'm sure. but il see~-o as if that wouls
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