The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-01-25
AAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAA
HOW THE
PRINCE CAME
Jim Wade Feared He Would
Lose His Daughter,
and He Did.
BY cLARIssA MAcKIE.
Copyright. 1909. by American Praas
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BY cLARIssA MAcKIE

= OOpyEl6Hls 1SV5s Dy American Press 4
Association.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Jim Wade shaded his eyes with one
broad hand and looked over his rich
fields 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
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
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, dearY Molly's hair was
like ripened corn silk, and her eyes
we're 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 III 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 handyY
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 longw
Don't let any fairy princes run
away with you, daughter" admonish-
ed Jim. You know i worry a lot
about that prince that's coming after
NV IittIo ooI Soma dawn rThoro xuoc
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 ficked her father lightly on
the shoulder with her whip. Dad.
dear, l really believe you are worried.
I've never even seen the manor
prince-Id 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. | want you
to be happy, but hope 1t will be many
a day before the prince does come
I'm selfish old brute. ehY'
Not bit, dad. And when he does
come We'll 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 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. fiuttering 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
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 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 automobiles 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
huge red car stabbed among the horses.
All at once Molly drew rein and lis
tened to a 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. 1t would be one of the men from
the ranch.
"Hellop' called Molly musically.
"Hellor came back in a 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
very good to look upon. young and
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 was smooth
and white. From the saddle bow
swung a bundle rolled In a blanket.
II am afraid I've lost my way"
said the stranger pleasantly. i've
been wandering in this cornfield for
the last three hours. Perhaps you can
direct me TO Wade's place, or is it pos
Sible you are lost too?"
Molly smiled ald shook her head. Il
can show you the way easily. | am
Mr.. Wades daughter" she explained
over her shoulder as the little mare
walked on.
The stranger turned his horse into
the aisle behind Molly and followed
close in her wake.
my name is Norton-Scott Norton"
he said after little pause "I'm look
ing for work in the fields. / was told
Mr.. Wade needed help"
"He does" assented Molly eagerly.
They want to make crop before the
goth, and father was wishing this
morning for half dozen extra men,"
Il am very glad" said Norton.
Something in the tone of his voice
thrilled Molly's tender heart She
knew as plainly as if he had told her
In SO many words that he had been in
hard luck and that he had Travelled a
long distance in search of this job.
The miserable beast he rode was a
scarecrow, probably purchased with
his last penny.
They came to the edge of the corn
field and emerged into a well beaten