The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1909-10-08
THE PRINCE
An Adventure With Sound of We'd
ding Bells in II
w ROSE in Cleyelaud Plain DaaIar
w. R. ROSE in Cleveland Plain Dealer

had just quilted. The village was beyond
there. He put little more spirit intC
his swinging gait.
Then his attention was attracted by 6
clear young voice, the voice of a child, 9
sweet voice. although thin and penetrat
ing.
The child was singing a quaint ballad
that was quite new to the listener.
"When birds make nests and rose leaves
fall,
And skies are blue above us all;
Then let us go where brooklets flow,
Then let us go where fairies call"
The voice ceased as the young man
peered about, and then merry laugh
startled him.
Cant you, see me?" cried the voice.
''Here / ami
Then he saw her. She was perched on
the low limb of tree at the roadside.
She seemed like child of twelve, with
long, fair hair-a pale child, with deep
blue eyes.
"You startled me-" said the young man.
Yes said the child, 81 meant to
startle you. think they are always
startled. Sometimes they, don't show it.
You didn't show it, you know
mo" said the young man, 81 was
only startled INSIDE. ne loolHeu az hel
curiously. He noticed that she had
little circlet about her hair, a narrow
hoop covered with gilt paper. Can it be
possible" he said. that I am addressing
the queen of the fairies?"
The child gave a delighted scream and
clapped her thin hands.
ooh, oh, you know mel" she cried.
''Then of course you are the prince!"
''The prince?' he echoed
She shook her head at him.
You can't hide yourself" she cried
IT know you because you know me"
"Ah, but you look like a fairy" he
said. ''No one could mistake you"
"And you look like a prince she an
swered with a pretty nod, "and no dis
guise can hide you"
He flushed a little at this artless com
pliment.
"And where does your majesty deign to
live?'' he asked as he glanced around.
She slipped from the limb and came
nearer. Then he saw that she was not a
child She was older than he had sup |
posed. Yet her talk was the talk of a |
child, and her smile was quite infantile.
For the present" she answered, 81
hive in the village beyond the hill. | was
going home when ] saw your majesty
Now I'm glad / waited"
He bowed low.
"Win your majesty deign to invest me
with supernatural powers?" he asked.
The girl had a slender twig in her
hand She smiled as she waved it above
his bowed head.
81 give YOU" she said, Strength and
and faith"
He raised his head.
"I'm glad you didn't give me riches
'My gifts are better than riches" said
The girl gravely. "Riches never come un-
ill the prince proves he is worthy.
guess you don't know your Grimm very
we'll" {
He did not smile
Your majesty is wise" he said, and s
hen he glanced up the roadway. A faint fl
ound had caught his ear. with the t
fits you have bestowed upon him the p
rince should overcome every obstacle. p
ueen to her home in the village" He c
Tapped his hands three times. "See,"
e said as he stepped into the roadway.
\ big touring car was coming toward Il
hem. It was close at hand. When, the a
hauffeur saw the figure in the roadway f
e drew close and stopped. S
The girl clapped her hands.
"You are prince!" she cried, and 5
lowed as he handed her in. Then he /
ook the seat beside her. i
straight ahead, George" he said, and v
he car glded away. "Your majesty will 9
Joint out your palace when we near it" n
eyes, yes" the girl cried, and drew a u
ong breath. Its almost like flying, isn't
t? | think it's better than the flying C
etter than the rocs that Sinbad saw a
)ont You think so, prince?' f
Much better" the young man an a
wered and safer. Is your majesty quite
omfortable?" +
Every comfortable. prince. Only one |,
hing worries her. The ride will be so
hort. See, there is her palace now-that
7hite cottage with the red roof" f
"Stop at the cottage, George" said the t
Would your majesty deign to accept a h
eat in my chariot at a time when the h
ide could be prolonged? n
The girl clapped her hands. II
''You use such beautiful language,
rince,' she cried 'But l don't know h
bout another ride. You must ask my t
nvious sister. There is Always an envious t
readfui. She says Don't gor far, Elsa d
nd Come back soon, Elsa and | can't T.
I'll you of all the dreadful ways in which Y
he makes me feel her power. You must {
SIX her if I can go in the magic car: t
emember that you have strength and =
ourage and faith" 7
And her voice suddenly grew grave. u
81 will remember" said the young man u
5 the car came to a halt
There's Evelyn now" the girl cried. G
You'd know her by her envious looks,
ouldn't your"
A girl was coming down the pathway, II
pretty girl, slender and sunny haired
Ike the roadside fairy. The young man t'
,ok off his hat. .;
ooh, Evelyn" cried the fairy, 1--WE II
,und himi He's the prince!"
The pretty girl shook her head at the
mid.
'FYou should have been home long ago, P
lisa. You worried your sister. See, you >
ave torn your frock. There, run in the
ouse."
The fairy child turned as she ran up the !,
ak and shook her clenched hand at her L
ster. :
"You see, prince" she cried. I
The young man, hat in hand, came u
carer. %
perhaps I am little to blame in this OF o.
after" he said 81 talked with your ~ =,
ster by the roadside She seemed to ~
Ike me for somebody else" He hest
tied. Il thought she was child" :,
"She is seventeen" said the girl. Fl
Seventeen" a,
Seventeen in years. In mind she is Sc Sc
1lv ten. a,
His look changed to one of respectful al
quiry. m
"The effect of illness?" he asked W W
"0f illness and a fall When she was "
N years old she had fever and one a,
ght she slipped from bed while my q
other dozed, and fell down a flight of OF
airs. She hurt her head and had a re-
pse and almost died. Our doctor says Fl
le will always be a child" L,