Los Angeles herald., 1910-02-20
Honorable Mention)


She readily assented, and soon Fran
cesca and Paolo left the little home.
They had only gone little way
when they met a dwarf who inquired
where they were going. After he had
heard the story he told them to return
for they would only gain them only py
haPdshps But his advice fell on dear
ears, for Paolo was bent on SettlnS
the dainty lace.
1t began to get dark and Francesca
insisted upon going into cave which
was near, and Paolo followed. Dur
ing the night loud noise was heard.
Beth children jumped up very fright
ened. The cave was filled with
binding light. Whey they recovered
they made their way to door which
could now be plainly seen. The fright
ened children opened it and were much
relieved when they saw the only occu-
pants of the cave to be man and
woman with crowns on their heads,
probably king and queen. They beck
oned for them to come and slowly
Francesca and Paolo entered.
The queen seemed to know their
stcry, for she started the conversation
by saying, you should have taken ad-
vice if you had waited patiently for
awhile you would nave gained them,
but now you will nave to earn them.
My advice is be patient, Lind, unsel-
fish and polite" When the queen fin
ished the lights We're eXtinguiShed and
the wandering children found them
selves on a country road near large
house.
. Hearing a cry they listened and
found it to be that of a child and dis
covered her sitting on a rock Paolo
fed her from a basket which he car
ried and she soon tcld her trouble.
She said she was lost. Her father
had been with her but while she was
picking flowers had wandered away.
The older children walked back and
forth until they found the father.
Many nights the princess and her
follower slept out in the rain and their
Hardship after hardship they endured
unfalteringly.
One day they saw a dog who ap-
peared to be hurt. Francesca tore up
her shawl and bound up the leg. I'M
mediately the dog took them to shell
tered place in the woods where under
a tree lay the golden hose.
Francesca and Paolo gave a cry of
joy and looked for tie dog, but in his
place stood the little dwarf whom they
had met the first day. He showed them
the way to the palace where Francesca
had once lived.
They were received with much glad
ness for FranceSca's Idother had given
I'D all hope of ever seeing her again.
The old weaver and his wife and
younger sons soon came to the castle
to live, and when the king and queen
died Francesca and Paolo reigned in
the kingdom and after. a period of
health and happiness went to live in
MARIE WATERS.
Fullerton, Box 11SA, age Is.
gazed thoughtfully into the fire. He
was thinking of a visit he had had
some time ago from a little woman
in gray who had said that she was a
fairy godmother to the Princess Fran
cesca. She had left him pair of beau
tiful golden hose, and, on departing,
had said:
"Now, remember, this is secret be-
tween you and me. This Princess
Francesca will some day wander about
to find these. hose, and if you still have
them in your possession when she
visits you you will be the king of this
country. Beware against losing what
has been intrusted to you" And Paolo
had never seen her since.
So as Paolo was gazing into the fire,
he wondered If this maiden could be
Princess Francesca. He was quite
sure she was (although she had called
herself Hansine). because he thought
lHdt sic WOulu DS tlS Oltly pOSSeSSOI
of the golden shoon.
After the rest of the family had re-
tired that night Paolo smiled upon
Hansine and asked her what she would
give for her golden hose.
"Oh, Paolo" she aexclaimed, ''ny
fairy godmother said that 1 would
marry the one who should have them
when 1 found them; and she said also
that as the shoon We're to be magic
when they fit my feet, I would have
the power to grant that person any
favor he wanted. Oh how I do want
my stockings!" And the girl COM
menced to cry.
do not cry, Princess Francesca (for
I happen to know your real >name). 1
have your golden hose. Put them on
and see if the shoon do not fit you now.
The only favor 1 want is for you to
become my wife and make me happy
all my life"
Francesca now put on the golden
hose and shoon. and was very happy
when she found that they fit
'And PaolO" I" she WhiSDered "voIr