The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-08-14
'How about q waikiki interrupted.

"How about a walk?" interrupted.
couldn't even pretend to be disagree
able any longer; neither could mus
ter up determination enough to leave
her-lovely, laughing sprite that she
was. Perhaps there was less danger
In walking.
But l am going to have another
caller" she demurred.
do you see him in your teacup"
l asked.
mo; I see him at the gate" she
laughed, although he may be coming
to see mamma. He is very fond Of
mamma. Possibly I shall be at the
summer house soon."
It was clearly a dare, and took It.
went to the summer house. Around
the summer house are trees and flow
ers; in front Is a miniature lake-a
when a man has no right to tell what
sometimes dims his eyes and impedes
his speech.
As sat down something at my feet
caught my eye. picked 1t up. 1t was
heart shaped locket set with rubies.
It few open In my hand, disclosing
two scraps Of white cloth. I exam
ined the pieces with some interest es-
pecially as 1 noticed that my mono
gram graced the upper one. They were
two corners from one Of my handker-
chiefs evidently. Anyway 1t was my
monogram. When my eyes fell on the
other piece a bewildering lot Of
thoughts chased through my brain, for
that piece bore my profile, traced clev-
erly in purple ink, Florine's amulet
picture Of a man she Nkedv' No
more letting a paltry fortune stand be-
tween us, II she really cares, and It
must be she cares, Or
When 1 got so far jumped up and
started joyfully for Florine's presence.
Then another idea assailed me. Sup
pose Florine should think that my find
ing the amulet Influenced my declara-
to speak. l laid the locket carefully
under a small FIR and went back to the
summer house. I was scarcely seated
when Florine came flying down the
path, her fimsy gown floating like
lovely white cloud around her.
you can laugh or you can scold. l
don't carer she asserted tearfully. Il
did wear an amulet, but now it's
gonew
She sat down by me and dabbed at
her pretty eyes with a square inch Of
lace edged linen.
1 neither laughed nor scolded. l be-
gan telling her a story:
"Once upon time there lived beau
tiful princess adored by every one. In
her court was a man, neither rich nor
overwise, but loving her, he thought,
best Of all. She accused him Of having
| no Imagination, and maybe he had
none, but he saw in the sunset gold of
the princess hair, in every blue flower
hue Of her eyes, in every purling
streamlet, the music Of her laughter.
Often he criticised the princess, al
though to him she was perfect
what did he do it for, then?' cried
Florine.
"He had mighty purpose"
Florine giggled. looked at her sus-
piciously, but she made another dab at
her eyes, so went on
"For all his harsh words he repented
in sackcloth and ashes, and when the
day Of his repentance was over he
knelt on the ground at her feet
"Oh, nov' corrected Florine. "He
! might have taken rheumatism or some
| thing"
Were ever eyes so blue or lips so
sweet? plunged ahead recklessly:
"He took her little hand in his"-
| suiting action to the woodland put
| his arm around her so and kissed her
| like this
"How dare your said Florine very
softly.
81 don't dare" I answered meekly.
II was only showing you what the man
did who belonged in the court Of the
| princess"
"Well, 60 on" she commanded.
Il can't"
"Whyr'
II don't know what the princess did
after heater that" l sighed, al
though looking at Florine hopefully.
She smiled.
'Oh. the princess said, I have lost
my amulet, and can never see hap
piness without it: 30 methinks I will
publish a decree that to him who fnd-
eth it viii give his hearts desire"
Describe the amulet, o princess"
The decree should state that the
amulet - Enclosed within q case Of