The Cairo bulletin., 1909-02-24


With this purpose in view, as soon
as Nanny had dressed her, late In
the afternoon, In the stiff white frock
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! 700
dasn't go outen dis yarhd, an 700
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 a 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. Ana
so they walked in silence up the
square, crossed over and came back
to the steps of the great house. When
they reached the yeranda 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 |, 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, II
seems forever, dear-but by the calcn-
dar it has been ten years"
"Oh. 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 he had quite for
gotten her, but she waited patiently.
Presently he answered:
'f--still hope | shall find her; that
Is why | 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 mg harh Is
norburn Nanny Emily says ! will
suah have good luck forever and ever
And my Aunt Eleanor will. too. What
ever is ours is suah comm to u.s.
All" he said softly.
my Aunt Eleanor is jes fine. What
ever you want she lets you have, II II
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 a little trunk, and her let
ters; but you must never tell! Cross
your heart. It's forever secret
Mebby | 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 wen find her. | must
GO There comes the carriage, and
oh! my Aunt Eleanor Is comm homo
bringing my new doll with the open
and.shut eyes. | got to go"
And she slipped from the bN'.ch 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 q
| package of letters Breathloss, she
! dropped them into his lap.
"Oh, | had such time to gel
| them" she painted. Nanny Emily's
always botherin' round me. WASH
never, never goin' TO tell anybody. but
seems as If you ought to have the let
tiers to help you find her. Praps wei
! find her tomorrow. Some time II
bring over my new doll; she's go
| openand-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 ne
sound.
He got up and took the package tieC
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 then
back" he said softly. They were
mine and | might have had them al
these lonely years lie read the let
ters over. one by one. and the heart
of the girl who wrote them was re
vealed 10 the man as it had not been
TO the boy.
We were both 20 young" he said
so young-and so foolish. IL think
| / will not wait for tomorrow. | have
waited too long already. | will try tc
find the Princess to-night-now"
/ L -