Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1910-01-28
THE PRINCE
PROPOSES
BY Aloe M. Richards

! swept out ma1eStically behind her
Upon her head lurched a Paris crea
lion donated by the Fairy Godmother
while in her hand swayed a delirlous
| 'y decorated fan obtained from the
soda water fountain around the cor
ner. At her side scufiled the Prince
a red bunting sash wound jaunti!y
! about his waist, a gold paper crown
set at a rakish tilt upon his red hair
! The stepsisters, consumed with an
envy that approached wonderfully
near to realism. followed in their
wake.
Now, Tommy, I'm goin' to drop II
and rum" whispered Cinderella, Gin
derella was barelegged, but a pair OF
gay Turkish slippers Topped on her
feet. A moment later one Of these re
posed upon the pathway and Cinderei
la was bounding up the steps of the
porch, her train streaming out behind
her. The stepslsters shifted con
temptuously as the Prince glared down
at the slipper, surprise and well.meant
hilarity mingled in his freckled face.
Pick it up, stupid" prompted
sepulchral voice from the uncovered
| piazza.
A few minutes later, two pages. who
| bore striking resemblance to the
| 1tepsisters of a moment before. tot.
tered up the path carrying between
hem a fat denim cushion, on which
'ay the slipper. Behind them stalked
| the Prince, his wooden sword clack.
ing marttally upon the gravel. eau.
tiously setting down their burden, the
pages, with admirable unconcern, pro.
| 2eeded to resume their true charac
| ,ers-that of the Jealous stepsisters
digging immoderately, they strove In
ain to claim the slipper. The Prince
Vas gradually becoming restless. A
! 'heepish look stole over his face and
onging chances were cast across his
shoulder. He backed stealthily to.
ward the steps. Alarmed at these
| signs of craven spirit. Cinderella
emerged hastily from among the vines
| and, mincing across the porch, simpered
! coyly at the Prince, who sulked open.
Iy, and backed closer to the steps.
Foot outstretched, petrified dignity,
! Cinderella waited the climax. The
3tepsisters snickered
Tommy" whispered the nearest
one, you old silly, put it on and brace
her and say; Cinderella, wilt thou
! be mine?'"
Hurry up, she's gettln' mad
"Aw, gwan, Tommy, please"
But Tommy, with a gesture homify,
! ing to his feminine audience, had fed
down the path, tearing off his insignia
| Of royalty as he went Cinderella
| stamped her foot. At the sound the
Fairy Godmother appeared in the door
way.
20, Aunty May, isn't Tommy mean?
Every single time we play Cinderella
he spoils 1t all at the end!"
"Spoils it all" echoed the stepsis.
.ers.
Il just think he might put It on
once" stormed Cinderella She also
tore off her robes of state and flung
hem from her
See it don't get even on him, hor.
rid old thing!" and away few the in.
| iured maiden, hot in pursuit of the
recreant Prince. Amid voluble dis
cussion of the situation, the stepsis-
ters and the Fairy Godmother col
lected the royal belongings.
/ We'll, Cinderella, how about It? Did
the ball come up to your expecta.
| tions?"
Cinderella, standing straight and
slim in the moonlight, watched the
Prince struggle with the latch O; the
gate, which refused to fasten. Size
! laughed softly.
why, silly, of course. Didn't the
stepsisters look magnificent? They
quite cast me in the shade. Please,
Tommy, come on and never mind that
gate. I'm cold"
There was no reply. Cinderella
shivered audibly and drew her fluffy
wrap more closely about her.
you are quite as stubborn as ever
sir. I'm going in" She tripped up the
gravel pathway and into the house.
A moment later the Prince slammed
! the gate with a triumphant click and
| hurried after her, but at the steps he
paused and gave a surprised little
| whistle. Something black and shiny
and small lay upon the middle stair.
lie thrust his hands deep in his peck.
It's and regarded it for a full minute
With thoughtful eyes. Then his lips
tightened in sudden resolution.
by Jove! I'll do it now," he ex-
claimed to the article before him
STOPPING quickly, he caught 1t up, and
walked slowly into the house On the
stairs sat Cinderella, her chin sunk
deep in her palm, one foot curled up
under her. The warm glow from the
| hall lamp above fell directly upon her
bright hair and upturned face. Her
ayes cleaned in mischieYous chal.
lenge. The Prince moved across the
hall, and, leaning against tae newe;
post, looked steadily dswn at her
shy panic few into her eyes. A quick
Sreath stirred ths soft lace of her