The Washington herald., 1906-12-26

How perfectly charming=I never met
one before-but I am afraid I'll have TO
ask for your credentials obviously.
IF you have a dragon to slay, produce
it-lead them forth one at the time-and
I'll soon clear the locality as completely
Of dragons as St Patrick cleared Ireland
OF snakes he replied modestly.
Before she could answer the crowd in
the hall congested with a rush on their
side of the building.
I'm afraid it's fire instead Of dragons"
she said anxiously. and even as she spoke
the smoke came in a gust through the
door leading from the main hall
He put his arms around her, shielding
her body from the crush as much as he
could. I'm afraid its serious'-his voice
had lost its testing tOne-.'thank heaven
We are next TO a window"
A plain domino came pushing through
the crowd The mask had been torn from
her face, and Nora. pale and wild-eyed
with fright, chung 10 Miss Johnston's arm.
It's wondering I am how We are going
20 get back 70 the college without any
body knowing. They are putting ladders
10 the windOws-could We 90 down one,
darlint?' she gasped.
The princess turned TO the Jester and
locked at him beeseechingIy. IT We ever
get out. can you and Nora get me to the
college without any one knowing that I
was here? Nora will help-and III have
TO set you an Unexpectedly hard task
Hero" she smiled family: my arm was
broken in that first crush against the wall
-snd-I don't believe-I can"
He lifted her In his arms as she lost
| consciousness. Nora, block this window
! until 1 get 2 good start" he said grimly.
then come an yourself Thank heaven.
/ il IS only a two-story building, and there
are plenty of windows"
| He carried her through the crowd of
/ firemen who had steadied his descent as
he neaTed the ground.
| I'm take her to our carriage he told
/ them. throwing a long fold OF her dress
over her face and shoulders
/ Nora, who had by good luck and mus
cular training reached the ground almost
as soon as he, seized him by the arm
I IT'S the cab over yonder Oy the elm
/ tree" she said, pointing TO it, then lead
| ing the way.
When he had taken his seat in the cab
/ he held the limp figure in his arms while
/ he removed her mask and opened the cab
window
]
reach the college. then she viii be able
to so in with you as she had planned. As
soon as she gets to her room put on her
/ dressing gown, knock over a chair. then
announce that she fell while hanging
vergreens-anything that seems most
probable. Even if you can't get to her
room, a schoolgirl escapade is nothing
very serious"
But, faith, she isn't schoolgirl It's
one Of the teachers she's after being"
He looked closely at the unconscious
face, and in the faint light scrutinized
her features.
I'VE mustn't fail" he said abruptly;
do exactly as I told you, and when you
have gotten some one to her room. go
telephone for me Immediately"
For you, sir?" Nora's tone was in
creduious.
Yes. I'm DR.. PaxtOn-she must have a
doctor at once. III drive back in the cab
and reach there in time to get the tele-
lphone message and some bandages and
medicine"
Later. when the matron of the college
took him into his patients room, he
smiled at the wealth of black hair lying
over the pillows.
Nora had hastily removed the Titan
wig and undone the tightly plated tresses
that, now freed. waved riotously.
When the splint was firmly bound to the
injured arm DR.. Paxton mixed a soothing
powder.
Il am trying to prove that I'm not sim
ply plain fool, princess" His voice was
too low for the others to hear. I hope
this arm is set according to your high
ness pleasure"
She was pale from pain, but responded
TO the twinkle in his eye.
"a resCuer of Processes and first aid
to the injured. The king must certainly
appoint you official hero to the crown"
L don't want any Office the king could
bestow" With his tiny scissors he pre-
tended TO cut an end off the bandages,
but managed to cut a tendTil of black
hair instead. I prefer taking my reward
from the princess-unless you could get
the king to appoint me royal sOn-in-law.
u thought when I selected the costume Of
a fool to wear tonight that I was dis
guising myself; but princess, I really be
Iieve I have, at forty, only just found
that can be fool. Do you mind If I'm
silly enough to fall in love at first sight 4?
You know there's no fool like an old
fool"
Miss Johnston smiled as she returned
the furtive pressure of his fingers.
Even as you-and l." she quoted
softly.