Smyrna times., 1906-06-20

breathleSs way through the thicket
into the little cleared space at the edge
of the bluff when a young voice as
sailed him.
Il thought you would come before
long. You are the prince, of course"
lie wheeled with start and stared.
She sat on low rock, looking straight
at him out of smiling brown eyes.
There was a general impression of
BROWNIES. 1t seemed to be a gown of
some shimmery brown stuff-or was it
gold?-and kind of aureole of fluffy.
light brown hair. How the deuce did
girl get up that cliff? About how near
ly a putting pOrpoise had he soApded.
anyway? Pity a man couldn't keep
track of his breath! He'd 90 into train
ing on that hill till he could take it on
the run without turning a hair-he
would. by Jove! Must be something
the matter with her eyes. He'd never
seen-that is to say, they sort Of
You said yes, didn't you?" she inter
rupted sweetly. Surely you must be
the prince"
Il beg your pardon" began Dudley,
suddenly realizing that she had asked
question some minutes ago and that
an answer was expected of him. "The
prince, you say? I've never been ac-
cused before, you know" And then, in
a flash of comprehension "MOst assur-
edly l am the prince-if you are the
princess" he finished triumphantly.
The brown eyes twinkled into his
more distractingly than before.
"Oh, not at allr' she laughed. 'I'm
only poor Cinderella"
cinderella" questioned Dudley.
looking the mystification he felt.
''Why, yes-yOu see She hesitated.
And then very wonderful thing hap
pened. \ line of rosiest pink appeared
| just above the brown collar and crept
up stealthily, enveloping the tiny ear,
flashing into flame on the white brow
and hiding at last in the light hair that
blew about her face Dudley, fascinat-
ed, watched its progress and forgave
| the intrusion.
"Of course it's very simple, only dis
gracefully stupid of me. And"-sit-
ting up straight and suddenly becom-
ing very brave-"I'm not in the least
afraid to tell you"
Dudley mumbled suitable assurances,
while the girl moved uneasily on her
rocky throne and continued to look
brave.
Il just-I Only-the flower was way
over the edge of the bluff, and-I held
on to branch and leaned down-and-
my heel got wedged by a stone-and"-
There was a tentative shifting of the
shimmery skirts, then a hasty motion
of withdrawal beneath them. "And IL
lost the mate to. that!' she finished,
with desperate courage, thrusting into
sight the other foot, incased in a stout
little brown walking boot.
Two furious bushes were in full op-
Grafton by this time.
Dudley gaZed fiXedly at the small
trim boot. "You say the one you lost
was just like this?" he questioned, with
great sOlemnity.
"Oh, no; it belonged to the left foot
you know" she responded, with CORE
spending earnestness.
And then came the welcome relief of
laughter. under the relaxing influence
of which Dudley sank upon the edge
of the rock.
y only meant to suggest" he an
nOunced fervently, my unbelief that
there could be another like it in the
world"
Bravo. bravow she applauded gay
". THAT is pretty enough to SAVIOR OF
much practice in such speaking"
Dudley's ardent expression was re
placed by one of due submission to re
buke
1T is meet" he said as his hanC
sought capacious coat pocket and dis
appeared therein, that the downtrod
den should arise to do thee service
Perhaps | can aid you better than yor
know"
I'm sure you can," she interposeC
hastily. But let me tell my plan first
couldn't let you go to find it anC
leave me helpless and alone again."
"Of course not" Dudley's face as
sumed a thoughtful expression, ant
his hand slowly left the big pocket
'I-a-hardly suppose you could Dor
row mine"
Again her bright laughter rang out
"Oh. flattery. where is thy sting?" sh
cried gaspingly. And Dudley, looking
| ruefully from his own generous boo
to the adorable mateless one, realize,
r that once more he'd put his foot in it..
/ Forgiven she declared in a me
ment, because of the pretty one yo
said first. And so. to go back to ou
muttons. see only one way. And yet
of course, it's such a little distance
|, the camps just back in the trees ther
4 could hop on one foot. suppose"
; She paused mischievously for tn
j. mere pleasure of regarding his look G
o frank disappointment; also to observ
e whether it occurred to him to wonde
why. with friends so near, she had nc
called for help.
But l should be sure" she relentet
''to lose my balance and let the wron
foot down" Dudley frightened pc
. ceptibIy. And it's very stony and,
know. would hurt dreadfully. So aftt