The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1909-02-11

next time I see him." she said softly
as she felt her way down the dark lit
tie stairway. I'm SO nightly sor
ry for him and I'll be good help
causen my Luck Stab.
With this purpose in view, as sooI
as Nanny had dressed her, late In
the afternoon, in the stiff white froch
and the red stockings and slippers
which finery was in honor of the re
turn of Aunt Eleanor-she slipped Out
to her gate-post, the warning of Nam
my Emily following her as she went:
Now. member, honeybaby! Voc
dasn't go outen dis yarhd, an VOC
keep dat Sunday dress spink-spank
clean! An doan 700 climb up nowhars
an tear hit!"
She got up very carefully to the
top of the post and waited patient.
ly, her little white skirt standing out
like tub about her.
After while she saw him coming
his eyes bent to the walk, his hands
clasped behind him, walking very slow.
ly, as if in deep thought. She climbed
down and stood very still in the shad.
ow of the post until he had passed
then she took two quick steps and slid
her slim brown hand into one of his
and walked timidly beside him.
He clasped the warm little fingers
| tightly and smiled down at her. And
so they walked in silence up the
square, crossed over and came back
to the steps of the great house. When
they reached the veranda she sat down
on the bench close beside him.
Il knew who you were, all the time, "
she said shyly.
Did you?" he asked, smiling at her.
"And who am I, White Bird?"
"You are the Prince with the Iron
Mask, and will you please tell me how
long ago it was that you lost the
Princess?"
He looked at her thoughtfully, and
the smile had quite left his dark eyes
as he grew reminiscent and said soft.
ly: "Since-I lost-the Princess, it
seems forever, dear-but by the calen
dar it has been ten years."
ooh, my!" breathed the child. "But
that is most forever-ten years! And
don't you s'pose you'll ever find her?"
There was half whimsical smile
about his lips now and his eyes were
on the white cherry trees in the Or.
chard across the road.
The child felt that be had quite for.
gotten her, but she waited patiently.
Presently he answered:
"I-still hope l shall find her; that
is why l came back" And his eyes
rested again on the swaying cherry
boughs.
Il am going to help you," she said.
Il can because of my Luck Stah."
"Your what?" he asked, bringing his
eyes back to the small person at his
side.
My Luck Stab, 'causen my l1arh is
norburn. Nanny Emily says 1 will
suah have good luck forever and ever.
And my Aunt Eleanor will, too. What.
ever is ours is suah comm to u.s."
"Ah!" he said softly.
My Aunt Eleanor is jes fine. What.
ever you want she let's you have, If it
isn't bad for you, and she doesn't care
mite if you do climb trees.
I'm going to help find the Princess
for you. I've already found all her
things in little trunk, and her let
tiers; but you must never tell! Cross
your heart. It's a forever secret.
Mebby I will show you the letters
sometime-they are all tied up.
Il wanted to read them mighty bad,
but didn't even unite the ribbon.
I'm just suah we'll find her. must
go. There comes the carriage, and.
oh! my Aunt Eleanor Is comm home,
bringing my new doll with the open,
and-shut eyes. got to 60" -.
And she slipped from the bench and
ran with flying feet across the street.
Later as he sat smoking in the twi-
light, a little white figure ran swiftly
around the house, across the road and
up the steps to his side.
Held tightly to her bosom was
package of letters. Breathless, she
dropped them into his lap.
"Oh! had such a time to- get
them,' she painted. Nanny Emily's
always botherin' round me. I wasn't
never, never goin' to tell anybody, but
seems as if you ought to have the let
tiers to help you find her. P'r'aps We'll
find her tomorrow. Some time I'll
bring over my new doll; she's got
open-and-shut eyes and truly eye.
lashes, not just painted on-she GER
tainly is fine!" And she was gone
again, her tiny bare feet making no
sound.
He got up and took the package tied
with the narrow white ribbon, and,
going into the old library, stood look.
ing at it curiously in the gaslight.
Il should never have given them
back" he said softly. "They were
mine and l might have had them all
these lonely years." He read the let
tcrs over, one by one, and the heart
of the girl who wrote them was re.
vealed to the man as it had not been
to the boy.
I'VE were both so young" he said /: