The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-01-07
HOW THE
PRINCE CAME
Jim Wade Feared He Would
Lose His Daughter,
and He Did.
BY cLARlSSA MAcKIE.
Copyright, 1909, by American Press
AggOpiatInp
Observation-Disclosures
BY cLARlSsA MAcKIE.

l.
eye could see from his point of van
tage ON the ranch house steps the land
was his own
Because Molly Wade was his only
child, Jim, watching her grow up from
motherless girlhoOd, was full OF
fears and apprehensions for her fu-
ture. The best in the world was none
too good for Molly, and so away to
school Molly went, and when she came
back, unchanged unspoiled, he was
thankful.
She came back as simple hearted
and home loving as when she had
taken her fearful farewell of him. The
so called broader life for women had
no attraction for Molly Wade. she
was first and last home lover-a
homemaker.
Jim sighed even then as he watched
her directing the affairs of the house
they occupied. Almost any day now
some handsome young man might
come along and rob his nest of its one
birding. And each morning he looked
searchingly into her clear blue eyes
him of the threatened invasion of her
heart, for suitors there were in plenty
at the Wade ranch.
This morning Molly dashed around
from the corral on her little black mare
Daisy
Where now, honey?" asked Jim.
"a ride in the corn, father. Can't
you come. dearT' Molly's hair was
like ripened corn silk, and her eyes
were as blue as the sky overhead. The
black of her hat made frame for her
delicate skin, tinted with bloom and
warmed by the sun. Slender and 1.-the,
she swayed in the saddle with grace
that was only equaled by her dancing.
Sorry, honey, but it's pay day, you
know. The old mans got to stay home
and work this morning. Don't go too
far. And got your gun handy?'
Molly patted the belt at her trim
waist, where small revolver cleaned
in the holster. Right here, dad. I'll
be home in time for dinner. SO long!"
Don't let any fairy princes run
away with you. daughter admonish-
ed Jim. you know l worry a lot
about that prince that's coming after
my little gal some day" There was
more gravity than fun in Jim's voice,
and Molly felt that this old, old jest
between them was becoming a serious
matter to her father.
She urged Daisy to the foot of the
steps and flicked her father lightly on
the shoulder with her whip. Dad,
dear, | really believe you are worried.
I've never even seen the manor
prince-Pd leave you for. There are
you satisfied?" He leaned down and
kissed her lovely, laughing face, and "A
warm smile lighted his grim features.
God bless you, darling. l want you
10 be happy, but hope it will be many
a day before the prince does come.
I'm a selfish old brute, eh?'
Not a bit, dad. And when he does
come We'll set him to work in the
fields and live right along with you"
With Il laughing. backward glance
Molly rode away toward the fields OF
tall corn that had not yet fallen prey
TO the swapping reapers.
A thousand acres Of corn whisper
ing in the wind. 1t was like II thick
forest, thought Molly, as Daisy thread
ed her way daintily through the tall
stalks.
Overhead the yellowed leaves rustled
crispy. On either side they reached
long, fluttering fingers to brush Molly's
rose leaf face or to touch a lock Of her
soft hair Her eyes grew dreamy as
she listened to the whispering, and a
look came into her face-a look that
her father had never seen.
Molly had had her day dreams-in-
deed, she had dreamed Of Il lover who
came out of a fascinating world Of
which she had caught a mere glimpse
in her school days The prince who
would come and claim her one day
would come spinning down the state
road in mOtOrcar, Handsome he
would be and merry and rollicking as
so many of those gay automobilists ap-
peared to be.
But when it came to the wrench OF
parting with her dear father Mollys
dream always changed to one where
the dashIng motorist became enamOred
of farm life and elected TO settle down
at Wade's ranch for a lifetime, with a
huge red car stabbed among the horses
All at once Molly drew rein and lis
tened to sound other than the sigh
ing Of the corn. There was the thud,
thud, of hoOfs in another aisle near by.
Perhaps it was her father, or at any
rate. II would be one of the men from
the ranch.
"Hellow called Molly musically.
"Hellow came back in mans deep
voice
AS the man lifted his battered felt
hat Molly realized that he was a stran-
ger, and her cheeks grew warm under
the gaze of his dark eyes. He was
very good TO look upon, young ano
straight and strong, with sun Drowned
face and chestnut hair. His blue fan
mel shirt was open at the throat, and
the skin below the collar WIS smooth
and white. From the saddle how
swung a bundle rolled in blanket.