The Wichita daily eagle., 1904-05-15
THE SHIP OF DREAMS


In the presence Of Maria a man must bs
nounced the engagement of a luckless
guest of her mothers, before it was two
days old, by entertaining an apprecia-
tive porch full with an account of the
presentation of diamond ring; she II
was who unearthed the scandal of the
Irritation between a married man and a
young widow. Yes, one must watch out
with Maria around.
'Tm>so glad to see you Mr. Johnson
said Miss Nelson; Maria and L are alone;
her mamma has gone on tallyho ride"
Thought maybe you'd like TO go row.
ing" said Johnson.
The argus-eyed Maria remained silent,
like the outwardIy Wen trained child she
was.
"No, Maria and 1 must keep house to-
night; but we can Play we are boating.
That will be fun, won lit. baby?"
Yes" said Maria slowly. But have
you forgotten the story?'
Sure enough. 1 promised story. didn't
I?'' said Miss Nelson rather hastily
Yes, if / wouldn't tell
But. there you are about toedo il" and
Miss Nelson's color rose.
you tell the story awhile and then let
Mr.. johnson tell it,. said GIaria then
you won't do all the talking. Mamma
said L shouldn't do al the talking she
continued.
what do you want story about?"
broke in johnson.
''Oh, a princess and a, prince, and a
castle and a giant" said the child en-
Enthusiastically.
"All right. Miss Nelson, you begin"
said Johnson.
'Once upon a time there was a prin
cess. said Miss Nelson and her name
was Princess Margaret. She was very
beautiful and everyone liked her. She
lived in place called Soria--Maria cas-
tie, east Of the sun and west of the
moon
''Ibsen. from you" said Johnson. 81
wouldn't have believed it,
What's lbsen?'' said Maria suspicious
~.
"Oh-he's a poet-like Eugene Field"
explained Miss Nelson, but really Maria,
you mustn't interrupt
Go on" demanded Maria.
''Well, she lived in this wonderful cas-
had jewels and ponies. and, best of all,
dream ship that would sail on land as
well as on sea, or even in the air. When
she got tired of staying in the castle, she
would get into her dream ship and jour
ney away into far lands. where she would
see many wonderful things.
Would the ship go fast?" broke in
Maria.
Yes"
Fast as Mr. Gray,s auto moboline.
the words came out with jerk. Did
you ever ride in his automoline. Mr.. John
SOM"
Mr.. Johnson colored. He owned no au-
tomobie and Gray was. he feared, his |
Successful rival.
Miss Nelson resumed hastily, "Ope |
evening the princess was riding in hers
dream ship and she saw some lovely |
flowers, SO she stopped TO pick them.
While she was picking them. she saw a
young man coming toward her He was
dressed in torn clothes and the princess,
was proud. so she hurried away to her
iream ship and the young man stood and
her sail away
"Let Mr.. johnson go on" commanded
Maria.
do you know that I must leave tomor-
row, Miss Nelson?'' asked johnson ab--
stractedly, though he watched the girls
face closely. as he spoke.
go on" said Maria.
Really. must you said Miss Nelson,
md something in her tone gave Johnson
Maria improved the opportunity of get
ing into Miss Nelson's lap and snug
Cling close. while the twilight darkened
lpoa the little group on the veranda.
Johnson began his recital.
THE young man was really a prince,
out another man had taken his kingdom
away and he was trying TO find a way
o get it back. But when he saw the
Princess he fell in love with her and de-
ermined to seek and win her. He fol-
owed her ship of dreams and at last
anne to her castle. There he found she
lad another lover and he watched them
as they would ride off in the ship
# dreams. This prince was poor and had
10 ship of dreams.
Miss Nelson looked up hastily, then
owered her eyes.
''The prince at last met the princess
Inu as his ClotDtS were DtlteT illdn De-
ore. she would talk TO him in the rose
arden and once she gave him rose"
Why did Miss Nelson start a little?
"But he waited and waited and ut last
lie found that his help was needed back
t the Kingdom he had lost. He hated TO
eave the princess, especially as he feared
he man who rode with her in the ship
{ dreams would win her, but it could
ot be helped.
So the nisht before he left he met her :
> the rose garden and told her he loved :
Ier and asked her 10 be his WIFE
long pause ensued. johnson waited :
reathlessly. hut no sound same save the !,
ven breath OF the child.
1T is your turn. Eflie." he said gently. ,
1.-The princess said Miss Nelson. hesi- ,
atingly. thought that the prince didn't !;
are-so she had taken the other man in J
er ship Of dreams. But all the time she ,
eaily did care ;
She stopped and Johnson reached out !
nd took her hand. Then they sat in \
Hence. /
''Marias asleep. said Miss Nelson v
oftly :
No. I'm not" said q very sleepy lit c
e voice: L heard every word-they were
larried and lived happy ever after. Did S
I if end that way. Miss Nelson. Il
Yes. answered the girl 6
MCf.LIE WARREN. o