The Democratic advocate., 1908-05-29
The Real Prince
%. Bly,.
MARTHA COBB SANFORD.
Copyrighted, 1908, by Associate
Literary Press

back, in fact, fifteen years, when kath-
crime was q three-year-old baby and
Darlington a young man of twenty.
But at the beginning of the present
chapter, after having been finished
off, at a very proper boarding school,
Katherine had just returned from
winter in Europe with Carrington's
married sister.
And Darlington as he sat in the twi-
light on the luXuriously appointed
porch of his out Of town house was ex-
pectantly awaiting a promised after
dinner talk with her.
In accordance with a 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 world OF admir-
ing but, alas, inconstant men
Katherine, radiant in fluffy glory
Of some soft, delicate stuff beyond
mars comprehension. at length tripped
out through the easement door and
perched herself affectfonatefy on the
arm of her guardians easy chair. He
took her little white hand in his and
patted it gently as he would chilfs.
"I suppose you haven't begun to
think about marriage yet, little girlF'
he asked by way of tactful beginning.
"Begun to think about it?" echoed
Katherine. "Why, rpe always thought
about it-always and always
Darlington looked up in amazement.
"H'm," he mused. II haven't begun
a 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 an energetic hug
Then she placed a cushion at his feet
and settled herself comfortably.
'T'n tell you," she began confidential
". "I've always adored fairy stories,
and of course there's a glorious young
prince in every fairy story, you know.
Well, it was always fun when was
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.
Imaginary 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 soonw she Queried teasfngly.
"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 a real
man, wouldn't your" Katherine asked.
looking at him roguishly.
Carrington's jesting mood passed in
a flash. He shut his teeth with sud-
den vexation.
Where did you meet Harvey Dun
tonT' he inquired searchingly.
ION 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 naturedly, suddenly alive to
the fact that he must play his hand
cautiously. you evidently like him.
little girl?' he parried.
81 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. "I'll stay
don't mind. Kit"
"Just as you like. guardy. dear"
laughed Kitty. ''I'll come out again
after he's gone and tell you how we
got on"
"Well?" asked Darlington an hour or
30 later as katherine appeared sud-
denly in the doorway.
She did not answer, but stood as if
spellbound. This was Il bad sigma
very bad sign, as Darlington interpret
ed it.
"Well?' he vehtured again, this time
trifle peremptorily.
"Guardy," exclaimed Katherine, her
rapt expression breaking into the mer-
REST of smiles, "Td forgotten you were
out here"
That's the way it 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.
on the arm Of his chair-"that is, if
can. l hardly know myself how feel
You see, when Mr.. Dunton isn't sing
ing don't like him any better than
do lots of other men. not nearly as well
as some, but
Lots of other men, did l under
stand you to sayY' interrupted Caring
ton.
"Oh. we'll, three or four, guardy!
What do a half dozen, more or less,
matterY'
"There's safety in numbers, to be
sure" replied Darlington tritely.
"But let's get back to Dunton. You