The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1908-07-04
PRINCE HENRY'S
DEMISE

By LULU L. BAKER
0SOOOOOOeOSOSS . oO . . 80 9
Copyright, by Daily Story Pub. Coz


look AZ her nephew, who was seven
years old, had freckles and bare legs,
and was protecting the doorway with
arms akimbo.
I've got a toad in my pocket" Ed
die said, abruptly, bringing the bread
can close to the Wobbly legs Of one
time sewing table, now serving as
typewriter desk
How lovely!' Elizabeth was never
hysterical; Eddie would have scorned
her if she had been.
Fat as butter-caught him on a
log-bu-"
Something was the matter with Ed
dies speech at this point; he couldn't
get the words out just right. Elizabeth
glanced at him. He wasn't crying?
No, but his lips were dreadfully twist
ed in the effort to keep from it. A
sudden spasm of anger caused him
to throw the toad on the floor.
Put him in the bathtub and turn
the faucet on advised the girl, so he
wouldn't think she noticed his ag1tA-
ton.
Il found him on a log, and-and
Prince Henry was with me-and he
got drowned" he finished, laconically,
as if that ended everything. Resum-
ing his novel seat, he became the
sturdy little stole she had always
loved.
1--WE fished him out, me and Tit
mouse Saunders, and he's drying OF.
with a big leaf over him, so he won't
be all wet when we bury him"
where's YOUR mother?"
Gone to Aunt Mildred's dress-up."
That was his originally devised name
for any social event.
$50 came over. thinking you might
come to the funeral this afternoon,
and maybe preach it?" he added with
rising infection If Elizabeth had not
| been looking directly into his earnest
face just then she must have shaken
with laughter, but with the real grief
she saw there, she couldn't have even
smiled
'Tn come, Eddie, but hardly think
I'm capable Of attending to the serv-
ices" she managed to say.
Prince Henry, in explanation, was
pup of uncertain ancestry.
You'll be there, thought" wistfully.
Eddie never coaxed.
Eyes, and I'm very sorry, comradO;
accept my sympathies-"
Certainly; don't mention It," the
| boy answered, majestical1y, as he got
up from the bread can.
! He gritted his teeth as he picked up
| the toad which had been the cause OF
Prince Henry's untimely death. One
| would have thought he wanted to tor
ture it. "The services will be at three
| o'clock" came from over Eddis's shout
| der as he went out.
After luncheon ring came ct the
| door
Hello, Bee, what are you going to
| do this afternoon?" called a CHEEKY
voice from behind the screen, as she
came into the hall.
Come in and 1 can tell you better.
| You must have something booked.
you're SO unconventionally early
81 have, but shoe your formal
ties
We'll can't go if it were to spend
| the day in Paris, for I've stayed home
from Aunt Mildred's, presumably to
finish a story, part Of which is already
printed, and now 1 find must attend
funeral"
| "a funeral!'
Then she told him, and the mingled
amusement and understanding In his
kindly face showed he appreciated the
situation-and the girl. That kid,
though, was all he said.
We'll go to Paris, then, some other
day." a mischievous Quirk at one
corner of his mouth, For I'm going
with you"
ooh, doctor, you daresn't-"
Are you going to begin to be one
of those dreadfully proper people now ?
afraid to help a youngster, and. me,
incidentally?" he exclaimed almost
roughly I've run OF from the once
this afternoon on purpose to be with
| you, and I'm going to. Get your para
sol and come along. I'd Just as lief
go to a dogs funeral with you as any
place else he whispered.
Eddie greeted them on the veranda,
gravely meeting the young physicians
outstretched hand.
Come around, it's all locked up IN
'front.'" he said, leading the way.
| Two or three little fellows were
there. and over against the dry7goOds
! box, once serving as Prince Henrys
| home, was a big shoe box, with black
calico Enthusiastically arranged about it.
81 couldn't get anybody to preach
this funeral" said Eddie. as the two
| grown-ups found seats at the end of
the arbor, $50 I'm going to do it my
! SELF" 1t was all the doctor could do
! to restrain himself, and Elizabeth was
biting her lip, as Eddie brought the
box and deposited it on chair in the
! center OF things.
He frowned savagely. and hit his
pocket time or two before he began
| The toad was getting its deserts, evil
IDENTITY Then. with his hands held be-
hind him, he commenced:
Prince Henry, beloved dog of Eddie
Spencer, was a nice pup, black and
| kind of curly and IL had-had-had