New-York tribune., 1906-04-29

comfortable voice. here's your ring little girl"
'Melia took it wonderingly; then turned upon The
Princess and faltered dOggedly: I'm gon' ~
give it to you. He wants you 70 have it, an vou-
YOU look as if you wanted 1t too
The Princess took the ring, STOPPING low IN sueb
a tender confusion that 'Mela thought she rr,Tr
be about to cry But just then the Prince who had
drawn near, knelt down and kissed 'lIela's cheeE
God bless Your Majesty" he cred
And the Princess, kissing her other cheek mr.
INJURED: Long may you reign
Then the Prince took the Princess's arm and
marched her slowly, deliberately about the room
And all of these things had happened 50 suddenly.
with such bewildering fervor, that MeEa stood in
trance, wondering whether she had done some
thing right or wrong.
When the couple returned the Prince said
apOlogetiCally: Il beg Your pardon for not pre-
senting you two Your Majesty this IS the Princess
Princess, this is Her Majesty uncrOW ned "
The Princess was one of those wonderful under
standing people; she sat beside Nelia and asked
all abOu- her mother, Mullarkey's tenements. and
everyth1 LIST If she had once lived in the same
block. MeanN nile. the Prince had vanished-to
rub the ring perhaps for soon after his temperance
beautiful young ladies and gentlemen began to
dash in. in twOs and threeS. The ladies kissed the
Princess the gentlemen shook hands vigorously
with the Prince, Melia was Rugged right and LETT
and everybody told everybody that they were so
gad-thOugh why, Mela could not discover. She
only knew that everyone was kind 70 her and
that she had never dreamed that the world contained
so many beautiful people.
All the while servants We're buSllv clearing the
room; and before 'NeIa knew 1t some one was
PLAYING the piano. and. wearing a wonderful new
crown and veil, she was leading a grand march.
Then she found herself enthroned a gHttering
scepter her hand with all her court dancing about
the Nav-pOe; while tall gentleman after an
other came up and said. our Majesty, NAV SIT
this OUT which seemed 20 be the polite way OF
saving: am going 70 SIT down Next everybody
gathered about a long table with NelIa at the
head and there were enchanted re-reshmentS and
speeches, through which the Prince and Princess
bluShed.
Then some one said "Carra-es'' and carriages
it waS-a long line of them with Queen and royal
family in the first one and MaE-rule strearners
tluttering from the harness Up the broad avenue
they drove between lines Of wondering faces. and IN
and out amid the parks cool depths here mounted
policemen grlnned and even naughty autOmO0Ie
perSOnageS smiled and bowed m the most atable
manner and at last turned The corner 01 IalllldT
block. And lust then small, bed-4-Ie led May party
headed by Lena the Proud. rounded the opposite
corner and collapsed IN speeches. decentralization
at sight of Melia.
As the crowd gathered about DIeia on the side
walk. the Princess STOPPED and placed ring on her
hand
explained the Prince rub the ring. II 1t doesn
come true irnnediately, and he handed her /
card, drop line
Then 'Melia was rescued by her mother, and TO-
gether they watched the party dr're away cheerlHS
and waving through the dusk.
What vague vast wonders toated through
Meha's pillowed head that night Il million dollars
for the Prince, she drOwSIy rur-r-reC closing hei
eyes, AN lots O. little bah.es for the Princess
An" And Queen Meha teLl asleep. StlLl ruooins
the ring.