CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1906-08-16
THE
PRINCESS
EVELYN.
BY INA BREEvoRT ROBERTS.

Roger sat watching the woman he
had come to Woodbourne to see She
was the center of group of young
people who were discussing the details OF
euchre party at the other end of the
piazza. As Rogers glance wandered past
them and across low. fertile fields to the
blue hills beyond, there swept over him
realization OF the absurdity of coming
to the country to play cards
Roger sighed. He had thought that
perhaps away from the town and its arti-
fetal life he would sometimes be able
10 get more than word or a dance with
the woman he loved; he had even hoped
they might become comrades, CON-
panions
But she had told other men beside him
that she was coming to Woodbourne,
it seemed Roger could count at leas,
half dozen of her admirers in the group
over which she was holding court. They
had the card party arranged now, and
were planning climb up the nearest
mountain next day to watch the sunset.
When one of the men came over to
Roger and invited him to join the party
his refusal was courteous but decided.
To watch the sun go down with chosen
companion was something to be remem-
bcred, but to flock to see sunset as il
it were a parade or play
From inside the house came the music
of piano and the sound of dancing.
Roger rose and, crossing the lawn, sat
down on rustic bench out of earshot
of the two-step.
While the af3erglow of the sunset
faded into twilight ne fell into reverie,
<t. L. R.I -.
movement. Looking up. he saw a little
girl standing near him. A he raised his
eyes she moved a trife farther away,
and man and child regarded each other
gravely.
There was something about her that
pleased Roger. In her faded gingham
dress. with her yellow hair in hard little
braids. she was a decided contrast TO the
pert youngsters with curied locks and
fluted skirts who pranced about the lawn,
shrieking shriIly.
Presently. with hesitating movement.
the child separated single flower from
the bunch OF daisies she was carving
and held il toward Roger, who found
himself feeling honored by this overture
to friendship.
He took the flower and put il in his
coat. Thank you," he said; wont you
sit DOWN."
The child considered moment before
she took a scat beside him. Roger de-
ba,ed m his mind as to whether he dare
put his arm around her, finally deciding
no; TO venture on so great a liberty.
"Will you tell me your name I" he
asked
IT'S winifred. What's yourss"
"Roger-Roger King. That's not 4
pretty name. is il p
The child thought a moment King
is" she said at last
Whose little girl arc your" was Rog-
er's next question.
"Msrina's and pana's. live here al
ways, in the winter, too
A silence followed, during which the
dusk deepcned. Presently Roger felt the
touch OF small fingers in his and reused
himself from his abstraction.
what do you do with yourself Ill
day?" he inquired, feeling desire to
know how this odd. old fashioned little
girl spent her time.
81 play" Winifrcd answered, "and help
mamma bake, and sometimes | ride TO
the depot with papa. After the boarders
is all gone he's going to take me for lots
of walks, down to the river and up TO
the top Of that hill" She pointed to the
towering black mountain behind them.
I'm going down TO the river io-mor-
row morning" said Roger. Would you
like 20 go. toof
viii you let me throw stones in the
waterf"
I'VE will see who can throw them
farthcst?"
"And we'll sit down under the trees ?"
"Of course"
And stay as long as we like''
"As long as you like"
"Oh, won't we have a good time !"
cried Winifred. softly. Wont it be aw-
iul nice"
During the ensuing week the house
was in a whirl OF gayety; dances. card
parties and golf and tennis tournaments
succeeded each other in quick succession,
and Miss Hartly continued to hold court
in series of bcwildcring gowns. Roger
did not join the train of her admirers,
hut he was not altogether lonely, for he
had found eomrade.
After each meal two figures would
leave the house together; sometimes 10
climb mountain, sometimes they walked
10 the river bank, where they rested
vhile Roger told stories to Winifred. and
the child and the beauty Of nature
soo,hcd the dull, never-ceasing ache that
tugged away at his heart
Gradually his awe of the child less
cncd, though it never quite left him. She
was quiet little thing, perfectly healthy.
but with uonr of the rrstlessncss COM