Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1908-11-26
THE PRINCE
p ROP OS ES
By Alice m. Richards

tiOn donated by the FAIRY Godmother,
while in her hand swayed delirious.
ly decorated fan obtained from the
soda water fountain around the cor
ner. At her side scufled the Prince.
a red bunting sash wound jauntily
about his waist, gold paper crown
set at rakish tilt upon his red hair.
The stepsisters. consumed with an
envy that approached wonderfully
near to realism, followed In their
wake.
Now, Tommy, I'm goin' to drop It
and rum" whispered Cinderella. Gin
derella was barelegged, but a pair of
gay Turkish slippers Topped on her
feet. A moment later one of these re-
posed upon the pathway and Cinderel-
Ia was bounding up the steps Of tho
porch, her train streaming out behind
her. The stepsisters shifted con-
temptuously as the Prince glared down
at the slipper, surprise and well.meant
hilarity mingled in his freckled face.
Pick 1t up, stupid" prompted
sepulchral voice from the vine-covered
piazza.
A few minutes later, two pages, who
bore striking resemblance to the
| stepsisters of q moment before, tot
tered up the path carrying between
them q fat denim cushion, on which
lay the slipper. Behind them stalked
the Prince, his wooden sword clack-
ing martially upon the gravel. eau
| tiously setting down their burden, the
pages, with admirable unconcern, pro-
| ceeded to resume their true charac-
ters-that OF the jealous stepsisters.
! Giggling immoderately, they strove In
vain to claim the slipper. The Prince
was gradually becoming restless. A
| sheepish look stole over his face and
longing glances were cast across his
shoulder. He backed stealthily to.
ward the steps. Alarmed Mt these
signs of craven spirit. Cinderella
emerged hastily from among the vines
and, mincing across the porch, simpered
coyly at the Prince, who sullSed open.
ly, and backed closer to the steps
Foot outstretched, petrified dignity.
| Cinderella waited the climax. The
stepsisters snickered.
Tommy" whispered the nearest
one, you old silly, put II on and brace
her and say: Cinderella. wilt thou
be miner"
Hurry up, she's gettin' mad"
"Aw, gwan, Tommy, please"
But Tommy, with gesture horrify
Ing to his feminine audience, had ned
down the path, tearing off his insignia
| of royalty as he went. Cinderella
stamped her foot. At the sound the
Fairy Godmother appeared in the door
way.
20. Aunty May, isn't Tommy mean?
Every single time we play Cinderella
he spoils 1t all at the end!"
"Spoils 1t ALL" echoed the stepsls.
tiers.
Il just think he might put 1t on
once" stormed Cinderella. She also
tore off her robes of state and flung
them from her.
"See 1t don't get even on him. hor.
rid old thing!" and away flew the in.
jured maiden, hot in pursuit OF the
recreant Prince. Amid volube dis
cussion of the situation, the stepsis.
tiers and the Fairy Godmother col
lected the royal belongings.
well, Cinderella, how about It? Did
the ball come up to your expecta
tions?"
Cinderella, standing straight and
| slim in the moonlight, watched the
Prince struggle with the latch or ths
| gate, which refused to fasten. Sine
laughed softly.
"Why, silly, Of course. Didn't the
stepsisters look magnificent? They
quite cast me In the shade. Please,
| Tommy, come on and never mind that
| gate. I'm cold"
There was no reply. Cinderella
shivered audibly and drew her fluffy
wrap more closely about her.
"You are quite as stubborn as ever
sir. I'm going in" She tripped up the
gravel pathway and into the house.
A moment later the Prince slammed
the gate with triumphant click and
hurried after her, but at the steps he
paused and gave a surprised little
whistle. Something black and shiny
and small lay upon the middle stair.
He thrust his hands deep in his peck
cts and regarded 1t for full minute
with thoughtful eyes. Then his lips
frightened in sudden resolution.
by Jove! I'll do 1t now" he ex.
claimed to the article before him.
STOPPING quickly, he caught 1t up, and
walked slowly into the house. On the
stairs sat Cinderella, her chin sunk
deep in her palm. one foot curled up
under her. The warm glow from TIE
hall lamp above fell directly upon her
bright hair and upturned face. Her
eyes cleaned In mischievous chal.
lenge. The Prince moved across the
hall, and, leaning against the newell
post, looked steadily down at her.
Shy panic flew into her eyes. A quick
breath stirred the soft lace of her
gown. She cast longing look up the
stairway behind her and followed It
by an effort to rise. In another mo-
ment the slipper had dropped to tho
floor the arms of the Prince were
about her, and the lips of the Priace
were murmuring very close to her
ear: cinderella, dear, wilt thou b.
mine"
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