Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-07-01
| he Real Prince
MARTHA COBB SANFORD.
Copyrighted. 1908. by Associated
Literary Press.

Saeh Darlington WarQ belongs to the
early chapters Of long story. 1t dates
back, in fact. fifteen years. when Kath-
crime was a three-year-old baby and
Darlington u young man of twenty.
But at the beginning of the present
chapter, after having been finished
off" at Il very proper boarding school.
Katherine had just returned from a
winter in Europe with Carrington's
married sister.
And Carrington as he sat In the twi-
light on the luxuriously appointed
porch of his out of town house was ex-
I'eetantly awaiting promised after
dinner talk with her.
In accordance with long and care
fully formulated plan he felt that the
time had now come for him to take
Katherine seriously in hand and to
prepare her for the prominent part she
was sure to play in a world of admir-
ing but. alas. inconstant men.
katherine. radiant in fluffy glory
Of some soft. delicate stuff beyond
mans comprehension. at length tripped
out through the easement door and
perched herself affectionately on the
arm of her guardians easy chair He
took her little white hand in his and
patted it gently as he would child's.
Il suppose you haven't begun tc
think about marriage yet. little girl?"
he asked by way Of tactful beginning.
Begun to think about it," echoed
Katherine. why. I've always thought
about railways and always"
Darlington looked up in amaZement
Him he unused. II haven't begun
moment too soon. it seems" Then
aloud he added: $50 you've always
thought about marriage. my dear?
Well. well! And what have you thought
about it?'
Katherine threw her arms about his
neck and gave him au energetic hug.
Then she placed cushion at his feet
and settled herself comfortably.
'I'l tell you" she began confidential
ly. 1--WE always adored fairy stories
and of course there's glorious young
prince in every fairy story. you know
Well. 1t was always fun when | was a
little girl to imagine myself the beau
tiful princess whom the prince was
looking for-and now I'm grown up
guardy. dear. it's just as much fun.
she finished naively.
Darlington laughed heartily. He
was greatly relieved.
'lmaginary princes are all very
harmless and proper, little Kit" he
commented indulgently. "but pretty
soon you'll begin to think about real
everyday men,"
pretty soon?" she queried teasingly.
Dear mel" exclaimed Darlington,
with an unconcern he was far from
feeling. you've not thought about
real men already"
you'd call Harvey Dunton real
man, wouldn't your" Katherine asked
looking at him roguishly.
Carrington's jesting mood passed In
q flash. He shut his teeth with sud-
den vexation.
Where did you meet Harvey Dun
ton?" he inquired searchingly.
''On the steamer coming back" an
swered Katherine. "Your sister intro
duced him. He's really very devoted
to me- He's coming around later this
evening. He sings. you know, and
I've promised to play his accompani-
ments. Don't you like him. guardy !?
You don't look as though you do"
"Oh, Dunton's all right" he answer
ed good naturally, suddenly alive to
the fact that he must play his hand
cautiously. You evidently like him,
little grip he parted.
II don't know really. guardy. But he
likes me- That's as far as we've got"
was Katherine's ingenious reply. I'm
not taking him very seriously because,
you see, somehow he isn't exactly like
the prince I've been expecting"
II should hope not" muttered Car
rington.
what did you say?"
81 said he's coming across the lawn
now" evaded Darlington. "Ill stay
out here and listen to the music if you
don't mind, Kit"
Just as you like. guardy, dear"
laughed Kitty. iii come out again
after he's gone and tell you how we
got on"
"Wen?" asked Darlington an honr or
so later as Katherine appeared sud.
denly in the doorway.
She did not answer, but stood as If
spellbound, This was a bad sigma
very bad sign. as Darlington interpret
ed it.
"Well?" he ventured again. this time
a trifle peremptorily.
"Guardy." exclaimed Katherine, her
rapt expression breaking into the mer-
REST of smiles, ''I'd forgotten you Were
out here"
That's the way 1t seemed to me-" re-
turned Darlington dryly. "Dunton has
very alluring voice, hasn't he? Come
over here, you mischievous kitten. and
confess. as you promised.
Katherine came slowly.
'I'll tell you. guardy," she began
hesitatingly. perching herself. as usual.
A. - h; .t,nt In 9 /