The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-13
The EVENING STORY
The obstinacy Of the Princess.
(By Troy Allison.)

(By Troy Allison.)
The princess stamped her foot as en-
ergetically as any ordinary person
would have done. There's no earthly
use being born a princess" she said. Il
want my own way occasionally and
never get it,
The minister raised both eyebrows. |
But, your highness. was sent to rea-
con with you
There's no reason in it, she flashed
back, there's anything but reason in
my being trotted out like a horse to be
inspected by this conceited person
merely because he's decided to marry!"
ITO think Of the son of so powerful q
throne being called person. the min
ister's eyes shone through his glasses.
blankly dismayed.
The princess shrugged her shoulders
in noncommitta1 way. then she seized
the minister by both lapels and contin-
ued her argument. 20 minister who Is
not plenipotentiary, if you feel too bad
ly about not being able to reason with
once, and maybe you two will go down
into history together. AS for reason
-" the princess snapped her slender
fingers unexpectedly close to the min
ister's nose. and left the room and the
man.
cess was an unexpected detail in the
preparations for receiving the royal
visitor. who arrived the next day.
She awoke when the first sunrise
crept over the sky, yawning from the
WEAKNESS of having spent twenty-four
hours trying to be still. The gilt clock
showed that there were at least two
hours before the palace would awake.
She crept out of bed and dressed
stealthily, threw light wrap over her
shoulders and went through the door
that led from her apartments to the
rnC QrSn 1Vyf <,xxy ord
the summer house that was her favorite
retreat. She stopped on the threshold
and stared at the young man compla-
Gently smoking a cigar on her own pet
bench.
He hurriedly threw away the cigar
and bowed low before her. Good morn
ing" he said. and the princess noticed
the charm Of his voice. II scarcely ex-
pected any one else to be awake SO
early in the day. I hope I'm not tres
passing"
The princess was startled, but deter
mined, at the expense Of veracity, to
keep the household from learning that
the condition Of her throat was not SO
serious as the physician had vouched
for.
"I didn't-er-expect to find any one
here, myself" hedging for time to Gre
ate IDEAS. "The fact is, I have been
awake almost all night attending the
er-princess, and when she at last slept
slipped into the rose garden to be
refreshed by the early morning air"
She looked charmtngly confused, and
the man, evidently most polite young
fellow, declared his intention to leave
her in undisputed possession Of the rose
garden. But the princess was fond
enough Of an adventure to sweep away
few conventionalities in order to ex-
perience the unusual.
Mono, by all means remain seated,
he harSa1f
neighboring bench. II am not SO selfish,
nor indeed so unsociab1e. I judge. sir,
that you are connected with our royal
visitors retinue?"
The man hesisated, then smiled gent
ally. =
Yes, you are right generally, al
ways in fact, accompany the prince in
his travels"
Then tell me about him." she broke
in eagerly, 'T shall not be able to get
a glimpse Of him while he is here-and
I must own to a certain amount Of GU
riosity concerning him."
Upon one condition. he leaned
toward her. evidently struck with an
idea, that you tell me about the Prin-
cess Constancia.'
"a bargain!" she cried, and her eyes
smiled again; you take first turn. You
are a visitor. you know"
He puckered his forehead in a thought
full frown. Hes rather a good-natured
chap" he said at last doubtfully.
Pooh! OF course he is, always has
his own way and Is never crossed in it,
I haven't a DOUBT she scoffed.
There's where you are wrong" he
said. energetically. ''The king has as
strong q will as-er-as the prince has
and they are eternally clashing."
She traded her first bit of Information
with every indication of pride in 1t.
Strong will! The combined powers |
of both your king and your prince
couldn't equal that Of our princess. And |
temperI You never saw any one with |
such fiendish temper" she whispered |
confidentially
so bad as that?" feebly. 1--we |
heard that she was quite charming"
"Oh! I don't deny that she is rather /
nice to look at, but she-she-has boxed |
my ears several times" beginning to
take a delight in her creative magma
ton.
arms of the bench, tense with indigna-
ton.
"And you have to submit to It.! You
poor little thing!" his eyes full Of COM
miseration characterization.
The princess put on the drst meekly
submissive air mortal man had ever
seen her wear.
what could I do?" plaintively.
There are times when she is really
nice to me-
In6rS one IHlHS CSTUdlus ITO
broke in vehement1y. "such vixen
would not make a desirable wife-for
the prince"
IT don't know that he's too good for
her." she said defensively. IT don't
care much for the prince-he's too
conceited.'
"I beg your pardon!" he exclaimed
in establishment. 81 never heard
how on earth you get such an idea into
your head?" he demanded.
Doesn't he go from one country to
another-expecting all girls of suitable
age and birth to be trotted out for his
inspection, just like selecting a neck
tie?' indignantly. eff I were a prin-
cess I would positively enjoy having
him ask me to marry hfm!
He could not take his gaze from the
flushed, piquant face.