The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-08-19
THE PRINCES HOUR,
When It Arrived II Came to Last
a Lifetime.
By 8. 9. rITswoRTH.

Nv st0A0<1 - - ~at SoA ~As<A ~ " 49,
sitting on the opposite side of the tiny
stream. her hands clasped on her
knees and her feet drawn up under
her sober brown skirt.
II beg your pardon" he said. pulling
OF his hat. II hope l am not tres
passing"
"Oh. everybody trcspasses herew she
returned. These are the palace
woods"
rs the palace very distant from
here?" he inquired.
NO" returned the girl: 'quite near.
but they never come out here"
'TheyY" And the man raised his
eyebrows inquiringly.
"The court" said the girl. "the-the
princess and her ladies' and gentle.
men,"
II can understand the ladies' not
coming perhaps. but the mem He
broke on with shake Of his head and
meaning glance.
The girl smiled. do look as II i
came from the courtY'
"Your gown doesn't" responded the
man. but he wasn't looking at 1t as be
spoke.
at Is borrowed one" confessed
the girl. with laugh. "You have
keen eyes and apparently know some
thing about courts"
YES" he admitted ~ am friend
and gentleman In waiting OF the
Prince OF Lubbock MalvoIsle. He Is Oh.
his way TO your court"
The princess is expecting him." she
said. He leaned toward her.
Tell me-" he asked. lis the princess
realiy-really-you know--alluring?'
The corners OF her mouth twitched.
Would you have me commit high
treasonY' she asked in return. He
sighed.
II never could get up much enthu.
siasm over her myself" concluded the
girl: .only you must never, never say
said so.'
-Oh. never be repeated impressive.
~. "And II ] should be tempted TO-
you know. I don't really see how |
could. for don't yet know your
name"
THAT makes II very safe" said the
girl. with a satisfied air. "And when
do you think the prince will Gomez
lie comes tomorrow probably. he
returned. "He is making an easy jour
ney OF t."
Possibly he isn't very enthusiastic
about the princess either" said the
girl
Its matter OF state. you know
explained the man. "But you mustn't
betray me. you know. II | keep your
confidence"
II see" said the girl. How dread
ful to be prince and have TO consider
the state before ones own prefer
enccsr'
"yes." said the man. "a private
gentleman
Like yourselfY' interrupted the girl
Exactly" he nswered-"has SC
many privileges. For instance. he ma.
steal on and pcrchancc have a sample
u paradise In the woods"
SO might a prince" objected the
girl. meeting his eyes.
~ princeT said the man inpatient
~. ITO prince II remains n sample
He must SO on and find the princess.
you know. But the private gentleman
steps across the brook. so. and hopes
that paradise may last n lifetime"
The girl drew away. with little laugh
as he sat down beside her on the moss
and pulled her skirt still farther over
her feet.
Paradise will last Just ms long for
the private gentleman as for the
prince this time" she said. 1T l.
nearly over. must get back to the
palace. shall be missed
WELL he said. laughing openly into
her pretty face. "why don't you gor'
"you know perfectly we'll" said the
girl Indignantly. and then she. too.
laughed.
"Please go away" she said.
But | thought you were going
away he returned.
Not Gil you are quito gone" she
affirmed.
THAT win he some tine hence" he
announced. She rested her chin on
her hands and looked on across the
brock In silence. Il win 20 on one
condition." he said at last.
Name t." said the girl.
"A kiss" said the man. with a quick
passion. and Ms she flushed he put bis
arm about her and laid his chez
against hers for an instant. The girl
was passive. As he turned his face
and kissed her lips she put him away
gently. but firmly.
That" she said as he stood beside
Der, was done like prince and not
like private gentleman"
He looked down at her with a sud.
den gravity. Like the prince. I must
be shut out Of paradise" he said.
But at least have had paradise for
moment" And he crossed the brook
and disappeared. The girl crept over
to where her stockings and buckIed
shoes lay at the foot OF big tree.