The Forrest City times., 1906-12-21
sti1l dropped on her throne and gazed at him out of vet eyes.

 in the avenue intently, he didn't hear her; so he spoke louder-'Is she comin'?'
 No. dear" he answered. finally.
 The child sighed.
 T guess she went truly to the park, then"
 Yes" said the man between his teeth.
 He began to walk up and down rap idly. Her Highness looked from him to the floor in great perplexity.
 But should like to have seen her before I sailed" he observed. pres ently, in strange. strained voice. Her Highness glanced up quickly and nsped:
 "She - thought - you - were - comin' - you - know. Then-she- thought-you-were By and by she thought again - you-you- were-comin'"
 He leaned forward with a jerk and stood tensely over her.
 Yes. yes, Dottie, and"
 Then she looked out of the window awhile and said you weren't comin'."
 T was delayed by the accident" he hastened to say.
 Her Highness clapped her hands.
 TT said you were comin'." she cried, triumphantly. "Cause-'cause you promised to bring me something to-day. You was goin' to keep your promise. wasn't you?"
 He seized the chubby hands tender ly.
 Before God I intended to come" !" he said, in a solemn voice.
 T knew It," Her Highness ehlrped. "1 knew 1t, cause you wouldn't go away and not keep your word. told her that. Maybe if you had promised to bring her a Christmas something, she would have believed, too, that you was comin'"
 She - kissed - me - an awful lot - and - said - she - wished you would come" nsped the small voice.
 He wheeled and stared at her; then he rushed across the room toward her throne and picked Her Highpess up in his arms and kissed her many times, and stroked her hair, and de. handed exc,tedly to know what she said. Her Highness, much confused, nestled her head on his shoulder and murmured again:
 She kissed me lots of times. and said she wished you would come. Then when you didn't she put rose water on her face and dressed and went out. And she didn't say any more 'cept when l told her you was comin' to bring me something. and-how nice you look to-day. sir knight"
 He imprisoned both her hands
 Co on-go on!" he entreated so feverishly that the blue eyes opened wide. What more did she say-dear est?'
 She only said you was sailin' away today, and perhaps you'd never Sc, her again. But you wanted to see u, fore you went, didn't you?"
 T should hope so" he cried, fer vently. "But-did she say anything more?"
 If you give me another"
 He thrust the entire box of bonbons into her hands.
 Did she?" he demanded. Pleas. tell me, Dottie?"
 "No-o." she didn't say anythin' moro -'cause-'cause-"
 He waited impatiently.
 "'Cause she mos cryin', guess She really wanted you to come. you know. Didn't she tell?"
 Lord, wish she had." he groaned.
 She told me-" Her Highness whis. pered. softly, she told me that if you didn't come, you were-you were a big brute. And then she jumped up and said you didn't love her, and I said you loved me. Don't you?" asked the child. seriously. Are you soin' to cry? What makes your mouf pucker so? And you're hurryin' right away"
 Yes, he said, very gently, kissing the upturned, inquiring face. But I'm only going to auntie's. And then I'm coming back to see Your Hishnsss again"
 The child plucked his sleeve conod. ingly.
 Then you'll all come back together. won't you-you and her majesty"
 He stopped and kissed her again. And then he strengthened to his full height and smiled happily and cried. gayly:
 T promise. Your Highness."