Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-05-20
Ending the Story

"few minutes" Margaret Girton
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 a magazine from the table and
was deftly Sitting the leaves, when he
was aware of quite commotion at the
top of the hall stairway. Predominant
in it was fearful, childish voice pro-
claiming stoutly, "He wants to see me;
will go down."
The disturbance subsided when a
quiet voice said, Every well, little
naughty girl, but only for a few min
utes."
There was a 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." I"
Instantly her face lighted and her
dignity vanished. She scampered across
the room and settled herself comforta
bly, in his lap.
''Not the one about the BIRDS" she
said, tentatively.
"Oh, SO that's your game" vinton
L. Al all
like the one about the squirrel thief"
She shook her head.
Tommy Tull and the grasshopper,"
he suggested.
Again she demurred. "A new one,"
she said, with an authoritative nod Of
her head.
Dear, dear" said he in mock per
plexity. Suppose I haven't anyr'
"a new one." she persisted.
Every well, but If you 60 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 vinton, there was a
prineeSs-n
"Ah-hahg' said Toodles, by way Of
approval.
s"she lived in a big house.
"Ris as this?'' said she.
"Yes," said he, '.just about az big.
Very much like this, indeed. She was
a very pretty princess like the
night and eyes like the stars. The
prettiest princess in all the world"
Course" said Toodles, who knew
how such stories should go.
And ali the princes for miles around
came to see her and brought her pres
eats."
"What kind Of presentsT' demanded
Toedles, who insisted on detail.
20, candy in big boxes and flowers
and httle bull terriers with funny tails
and little stick-up ears"
Like Flipper7"
''Ys~. like Flipper. And some Of the
princes were very rich and some were
not. In fact between you and me,
Tecdles, one Of them was poorer than
q church mouse. But, you see, he fell
In love with the princess like all the
rest Of them"
'"And married herr" said she breath
lessiy.
Don't rush the story, Toodles,
there's lots in between"
Co." she said, apologetically.
He did not know Margaret had come
and was standing behind
the portieres. He looked thoughtfully
into the fire for several moments and
then, .as Toodles twisted impauent1y,
he continues:
"Now, this prince, who was poor,
wanted to give the princess present.
not flowers, nor candy, nor bull ter
rier, with stick-up ears. So he hunted
high and low until he found a diamond
that sparkled like the princess eyes
when she laughed, and he had it set in
a ring-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" =..:..
"Why3" asked Toodles.
Because, If she wore the ring it
meant that she would marry him."
Didn't he want her tor"
eyes, for his sake, but not for hers
You see, Toodles, he was very poor"
Wasn't she richT'
Eyes, but"
"Bimeby he gave her the ring" said
Toodles, fishing for happy ending.
"Eh?" said Vinton. 20, no, Toodies."
"He married her, anyway" she said
fatty.
"No, dear, he didn't marry her. One
of the rich princes"
81 want the poor prince with the.
ring to marry her." she persisted.
"That was impossible, Toodles. You
See"
Il want her to marry him." and
Miss Toodles suddenly burst into tears.
"Great Scott, Toodles," said Vinton,
you mustn't do that, You know. See
here
Some one came from behind the por-
there's and lifted the child from his