Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-05-11
Ending the Story

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e 0HINToN sat in the coy back
w parlor waiting the proverbial
''few minutes" Margaret Glrton
Invariably allotted to the completion of
her opera toilet.
He was quite alone in the room, and
by the way Of Willing away the time
he took magazine from the table and
was deity Sitting the leaves, when he
was aware of quite commotion at the
top Of the hall stairway. Predominant
in 1t was fearful. childish voice pro-
claiming stoutly, HE wants to see me;
I will go down"
81 The disturbance subsidized when a
quiet voice said, Every well, little
naughty girl, but only for a few min
utes."
There was patter of little feet on
the stairs, the portieres were drawn
apart, and Eleanor Girton entered the
room with as much dignity as the han
dicap of her years and recent siren
uous encounter admitted.
Evening" she said, with an odd,
jerky little bow.
Hello, Eleanor" vinton called, and
as he saw her pout, 20, beg pardon.
Really, I'm very stupid. Let's try
again. Good evening" Miss Toodles."
Instantly her face lighted and her
dignity vanished. She scampered across
the room and settled herself comforta-
bly, in his lap.
mot the one about the BIRDS" she
said, tentatively.
"oh, so that's your game vinton
laughed. well. then, perhaps you'd
like the one about the squirrel thief"
She shook her head.
Tommy Tuil and the grasshopper,"
he suggested.
Again she demurred. "a new one"
she said, with an authoritative nod of
her head.
Dear, DEAR" said lie in mock per-
plexlty. Suppose haven't any?"
"a new one" she persisted.
Very well, but IL ycu so to sleep I'll
never tell you another, Miss Toodles."
With this stereotyped preface she
knew her point was carried, and she
sighed contentedly.
'Once," began yinton, "tl,ere was a
princess
"Ah-hah!" said Toodles, by way of
approval.
"She lived in big house"
'.lsig as this?" said she.
"Yes,' said lie, Just nsout as big
Very much like this, indeed. She was
very pretty prlncess-hair like the
night and eyes like the stars. The
prettiest princess in all the wcrld.''
Course" said Toodles, who knew
how such stories should go.
.'And all the princes for miles around
came to see her and brought her pres
ents."
What kind of presents!' demanded
I" ,n''.es, WHO insfse eeazsr.aesstsil -. Is
candy III big boxes and flowers
tile bull terriers with funny tails
tile stick-up ears"
&c Flipper?"
-. like clipper. And some OF the
es were very rich and some were
not. In fact, between you and me,
Toodles, one of them was poorer than
church mouse. But, you sec, he fell
in love with the princess like nil the
rest of them"
"And married hcr?" said she breath
lesaly.
DON'T rush the story. Toodlcs
thcte's lots in between
90" she said, apologetically.
He did not know Margaret had come
downstairs and was standing behind
the portieres. He looked thoughtfully
into the fire for several moments and
then, us Toodles twisted impatiently.
( he continued:
Now, this prince who was poor.
wanted to give the princess present
not flowers. nor candy, nor a bull ter.
fier with stlcl-up ears. So he hunted
high and low until he found n diamond
that sparkled like the princess eyes
when she laughed, and he had it set in
rfng-and then he couldn't find cour-
age to give it to the princess. So day
after; day he carried 1t round in his
pocket"
'.Why:' asked Toodles.
Because. If she wore the ring If
meant that she would marry him."
didn't he want her to?"
'.Yes, for his sake. but not for hers.
You see, Toodlcs, he was very ncor,n
.'yyasn't she rlch?"
Eyes, but,
"Bfmeby he gave her the ring" soid
Toodics. fishing for happy ending
HE married her, anyway" she said
hau.. an,