Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-08

princess lovers. He was not either.
busy or happy, for Of all the suitors he
was the only one who truly loved her.
He was the very identical page who
king the year before. Now he sat in his
| attic room. with no companion save his
brushes, his colors and his old black
cat. At first he had thought of paint
ing a portrait Of the princess and send
ing 1t to her as valentine. but now he
was in despair. for he knew of three or
four great artists who could paint much
better than he, and who were at work
at portraits of the beautiful maiden.
Il shall have to give her up he said.
in despair. And then l shall have no
friend in the world but my old cat.
Come here. puSS
He stroked the black cat as she rub
bed against his foot. and then, looking
at her fondly. he said: Il have nothing
in the world except you. and you are
the best friend one could have. Just
going to send her my cat
The idea pleased him, and he painted
dainty card and attached 1t to the
black cats collar.
At last dawned the morning Of ST.
Valentines day. For miles around the
palace the roads were blocked with
carts, wagons. carriages, vans, porters.
palanquins, wheelbarrows. all loaded
had been put up, and working with in
credible industry. all the treasures were
exhibited in rows and rows OF priceless
beauty and marvellous art.
When the last gift was in place and
the grand senesechal was about to close
the door the young page came running
and passed in his black cat with the
card attached to her collar.
Then all the citizens, tired by their
long eXertions went home and to
sleep, while the judges gathered to de-
termine which was the most valuable
gift.
txr,- lox ,icrb te
cussion continued and then the doors
were thrown open. and the enormous
crowd Of competitors thronged the hall.
The prime minister arose. .
After painstaking and endless con-
sideration we have at last adopted the
following rules" he said: "First-Noth
ing that is not living is so valuable as
what has life. Second-The most valu-
able thing to the giver is what he can
least spare. Third-The most valuable
thing to the receiver is what is most
desired. Now. in accordance WITH these
rules. we have decided that he who Of
fers his life has offered the most valu-
able thing he has. and If he owns ten
lives how much greater is the gift than
any material thing!" 4
The people applauded wildly and
cheered.
I'm accordance with these principles,
the hand of the princess is awarded to
the giver of this black cat. And the
prime minister stroked the back Of the
page cat. which pUTTcO with sweet
ness and discretion. charming. all be-
holders. For he has offered the prin-
cess the devotion of his own life and
the nine lives Of the cat
Then the vast crowd called for the
giver of the black cat. and the noble
little page came forward and fell upon
his knees before the princess. And
they made so lovely a couple and looked
so happy that no one had the heart to
object.
Now, how did it happen?.
Why, the princess was the chief of
the judges, of course. and she knew
whose cat it was all the time. And it
took her two days and two nights to
talk the rest of the judges over.
They lived happy forever after.
So did the cat