The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-12-27

feather that stood erect as IL al.
ways in state Of surprise, turned
the bushes and came to a stop al.
most at Kings elbow. He had
time to note, in his confusion, thai
she was about shoulder-higt
alongside him, and that she was
staring up into his face with
amazed gray eyes. Afterward he
was to realize that she was amaz-
ingly pretty. that her teeth were
very white and even, that her eyes
we're the most beautiful and ex.
pressive he had ever seen, that she
was slender and imperious, and
that there were dimples in heI
cheeks so fascinating that he
could not gather sufficient
strength of purpose to withdraw
his gaze from them. OF course
he did not see them at the outset
she was not smiling, so how
could he?
The prince came to the rescue
"This is my Aunt Lorraine, Mr.
Mr." he swallowed hard and
looked helpless.
King" supplied Truxton
''Truxton King, your highness. 4"
Then with all the courage he
could produce, he said to the
beautiful lady: I'm as guilty as
he. Sect" He pointed ruefully
to the four goldfish, which he had
strung upon wire grass and
dropped into the edge Of the pool
She did not smile. Indeed, she
gave him a very severe look
"How cruel!' she murmured
Bobby, you deserve sound
spanking. You are a very naughty
little boy" She spoke rapidly in
French.
HE put the bait on" said Bob.
by, also in French. Here was
treachery!
Truxton delivered himself OF
some French. ooh, I say, your
highness. you said you'd pardon
me if l were caught"
II can't pardon you until you
are found guilty." said the prince
in English.
"Please put those poor little
things back in the pool, Mr.
King" said the lady in perfec'
English.
"Gladly-with the princes per
mission" said King. also in Eng
fish. The prince looked glum, bu
interposed no imperial objection
Instead he suddenly showed thu
cigarette box under the nose of hi
dainty relative, who at that un
propitious instant stopped over Il
watch Kings awkward attemp
to release the fishes.
Look at the worms" said tn,
prince engagingly, opening thu
box with a snap.
"Oh!" cried the young lady
starting back. Throw then
away! the horrid things!"
J, ooh, they can't bite" scoffet
the prince. "See! I'm not afrai,
of 'em. Look at this one." H
held up a wriggler and she flet
to the rock. She happened t.
= glance at Truxton's averted fac
= and was conscious of a broa,
t grin; whereupon she laughed il
the quick staccato of embarrass
= ment.
5 1t must be confessed that King
composure was sorely disturbed
In the first place, he had bee
. caught in a most reprehensibl
1 act, and in the second place, h
was not quite sure that tn
| prince could save him from igno
luminous expulsion under the yer
leyes-and perhaps direction-o
5 this trim and attractive membe
. of the royal household. He foun
himself laundering foolishly wit
. the fishes and wondering whethe
( she was a duchess or just a plat
: countess. Even a regal personag
: might jump at the sight of angl
t worms, he reflected.
} He glanced up, to find he
. studying him, plainly perplexed.
3 ~ just wandered in here" h
= began guiltily. "The prince car
tured me down there by the bi
( tree"
l did you say your name /
| Truxton King?" she asked some