The Ocala evening star., 1909-12-24

Dew ner long coat tnIS way ana rnaT.
and at last, wet and painting. she came
10 the little house.
And once more Peter knocked. and
once more Jenny came 10 the window
Then she flung the door wide open.
and so tall was the princess that she
had 10 stOop TO enter IT, ID was a
dingy little room. and there was n
dumpy black stove in the corner. With
a bubblinG iron pot that gave forth a
most appetizing odOr.
"Oh. oh. how nice aud warm il is"'
said the princess as she held out her
hands TO The fire.
In all their lives the little girls had
never beheld such n wonderful per-
son. for the princess wore a long red
cloak and black velvet hat. with a
waving plume. and her nun was big
and round and soft. and she had
scarf OF the same soft fur about her
neck. Her hair was pale gold, and she
had the bluest eyes and the reddest
lips. and her smile was so sweet and
tender that Jenny rap right up to her
and cried. "Oh. I am so glad that you
camer'
Jessie from her little chair echoed
her sisters words. But she lid not
run. for there was tiny crutch beside
Jessle's chair I'm the square window.
And I am glad to he here said the
princess. whose quick eyes were TAX
ing in the details Of the shabby room.
"It's so nice and warm and cOZy."
isn't II 2" said Jenny happily "And
we are getting ready for tomorrow"
On a small round table beside Jes-
sizes chair was tiny cedar bush. and
Jessie's fingers had been busy with
bits or gold and blue and scarlet pa
per.
I'VE are going to pop some popcorn"
Jenny explained. "and string it and
hang It on the tree"
'Oh, may help:" the princess asked.
81 haven't popped any corn since was
a little girl"
Jessie clasped her thin little hands.
II think It would be the lOveliest thing
In the world" she said, ''if you would
stay"
Peter is going to find some one to
help with the carriage. and will stay
until he comes back"
And when Peter had gone the prin-
cess slipped of the long red cloak.
and underneath ii she wore shining
silken gown, and around her neck was
a collar OF pearls.
"And now IL you will lend me an
apron" she said. I'VE, will pop the
corn"
But Jessie and Jennie were gazing
at her speechless.
"Oh, you must be q fairy princessr
gasped little Jessie at last.
The beautiful lady laughed joyOusly.
'Peter calls me the princess" she
said. HE has lived with me ever
since / was little girl. But really
am just an everyday young woman
and all going to spend Christmas with
some friends in the next town"
She dismissed the subject with
wave Of her hand.
And now to our popcorn" she said.
Jenny brought green gingham
apron. and the princess tied the apron
on, making 4 big butterfly bow Of the
strings in the back, and then she
danced over TO the dumpy little stove
and peeped into the bubbling pot.
Did you ever smell anything so
good?" she asked. Il am as hungry
as bear"
The little girls laughed joyOusly.
"It's bean soup" Jenny said. land We
are going TO have ii for supper, with
some little .dumplings in 1t. | was
afraid 1t wasn't nice enough for YOU"
Nice enough" the delighted lady
exclaimed. Il think bean soup and
little dumplings are-um-um!' And
she flung out her hands, expressively.
81 thought" Jessie remarked faint
ly. that fairy princesses only ate
honey and dew"
(which shows that ] am not true
princess" said the beautiful lady, ''fOr
honey and dew would never satisfy
me-"
Jenny got out three little blue bowls
and set them on table that was
spread with a coarse but spotless
cloth. There were cruSty loaf and
clover sweet butter and last and best
Of all there were the bean soup and
the bobbing little dumpIings served to-
gether in an old mulberry tureen.
1t was perfectly wonderful TO see
the princess in her shining gown at