Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-01-26
HOW THE
PRINCE CAME
Jim wade Feared He Would
Lose His Daughter.
and 0e Did.
BY cLARissA MAckIE.
Copyright. lssa, by American Press
BY cLARissA MAckIE-

\
Association
Jim Wade shaded his eyes with ooe
broad hand and looked over his rich
delds ripe for the harvest As far as the
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
q motherless girlhood, was full of
fears and apprehensions for her fu-
ture. The best in the world was none
too good for Molly, ana 50 away to
school Molly went, and when she came
back. unchanged. unspoiled, be was
thankful
She came back as simple hearted
and home loving as when she had
taken her fearful farewell of him The
80 called broader life for women had
NO attraction for Molly Wade. She
was first and last a 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
searchingiy 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, honeyg asked Jim
"a ride in the corn. father. Can't
you come, deary' Moliy'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 a 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 handyT
Molly patted the belt at her trim
waist, where a small revolver cleaned
in the holster. Right here, dad. I'll
be home in time for dinner. So longr'
Don't let any fairy princes run
away with you. daughter" admonish-
ed Jim. You know l 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-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
to be happy, but hope it will be many
q day before the prince does come.
I'm selfish old brute, eh:''
Not bit, dad. And when he does
come Wen set him to work in the
fields and live right along with you"
With a 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 a thick
forest, thought Molly, as Daisy thread
ed her way daintily through the tall
stalks.
Overhead the yellowed leaves rustled
crisply. On either side they reached
long, f]uttering fingers to brush MolIy'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 faee-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 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 a motorcar. Handsome he
would be and merry and rollicking as
SO many of those gay automobilists APP
peared to be.
But when it came to the wrench of
parting with her dear father Molly's
dream always changed to one where
the dashing motorist became enamored
of farm life and elected TO settle down
at Wade's ranch for 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, it would be one of the men from
the ranch.
'HeIlow called Molly unsteady.
'HeIlor came back in mans deep
voice.
As the man lifted his battered felt
hat Molly realized that he was stran-
ger, and her cheeks grew warm under
the gaze Of his dark eyes He was