Democratic messenger., 1910-01-29
HOW THE
PRINCE CAME
Jim Wade Feared he Would
Lose His Daughter
and He Did.
BY cLARissA MACY =.
Copyright. 1909. By American Press
BY cLARissA MACY

OipAh hahh dhh iuvhtu pNtT ulS flcu
ields ripe for the harvest As far as the
eye could see from his point Of van
tagc ON the ranch house steps the land
was his own.
Because Molly Wade was his only
child. Jim. watching her grow up from
a motherless girlhood. was full OF
fears and apprehensions for her fu-
turc 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
Sc 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 aud rob his nest OF its one
X
searchingly into her clear blue eyes
seeking some change that might tell
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 Mollys hair was
like ripened corn silk. and her eyes
were as blue rs 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 worry 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 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-I'd leave you for There. are
you satIsled:" lie leaned down and
kissed her lovely. laughing face. and "A
warm smile lighted his grim features.
God bless you. darling. want you
to be happy. but hope II will be many
day before the prince does come.
I'm a selfish old brute. ehY"
Not a bit, dad. And when he does
come well set him to work in the
fields and live right along with you"
With laughing. backward glance
Molly rode away toward the fields of
tall corn that had not yet fallen prey
10 the swapping reapers
A thousand acres of corn whisper
ing IN the wind. 1t was like thick
forest. thought Molly. as Daisy thread
cd her way daintily through the tall
stalks
Overhead the yellowed leaves rustied
crlsply. On either side they reached
long. nuttering fingers 10 brush Moliy's
rose leaf face or To- touch a lock of her
soft hair. Her eyes grew dreamy as
she listened 10 the whispering. and
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 lover who
came out of fascinating world OF
which she had caught mere glimpse
in her school days. The prince who
would come and claim her one day
would come spinning down the state
road IN n motorcar. Handsome he
would be aud merry and rollicking as
so mnny of those gay automobilists APP
pcared TO be.
But when IL came TO the wrench OF
parting with her dear father Moliys
dream always changed to one where
the dashing motorist became enamored
OF farm life and elected TO settle down
ut Wade's ranch for lifetime. with
huge red car stabbed among the horses.
All at once Molly drew rein and lis
tened 20 a sound other than the sigh
Ing ~ the corn. There was the thud.
thud. OF hoofs In another aisle near by.
Perhaps Il was her father. or, at any
rate. II would he one Of the men from
the ranch.
"Hello.' called Molly musically.
"IIello." came back In n mans deep
voice.
As the man lifted his battered felt
hat Molly realized that he was siran-
ger. and her cheeks grew warm under
the gaze of his dark eyes. He was
very sgood to look upon. young and
straight and strong. with sun Drowned
face and chestnut hair. His blue nan-
mel shirt was open at the throat. and
the skin below the collar was smooth