The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1910-04-18

Ming, stopping to lean against the
moss covered wall that encircled the
park within park. the grounds adj
joining the grotto. Cant I hon over
TINS wall and take a peep into the
grotto:"
by no means!' cried Hobbs. Mortified
hlng looked over the low wall. The
prospect was alluring. The pool, the
trlckllng rIvulets. the messy banks. the
dense shadowS-it was maddening to |
think he could not enter.
Il wouldn't be in there a minute"
ne argued. And l might catch a
glimpse of dream lady. Now, | say.
Hobbs, here's a low place. | could |
jump
Mr.. King, if you do that I am
ruined forever. l am trusted bv the
steward. He would cut off all my priv
heges'- Hobbs could go no further.
lie was prematurely aghast. Some
thing told him that Mr. King would
hop over the WALL
Go and report me. Hobbs; there's q
good fellow. Tell the guards wouldn't
obey. That will let you out. my boy.
and I'll do the rest
He strobe off across the bright green
turf toward the source of all this en-
chantment. leaving poor Mr.. Hobbs
braced against the wall, weak kneed
and helpless
What are you doing in here:" de-
manded a voice
Iruxton. conscious of guilt. Whirled
with as much CONSERVATION as if he
had been accosted by a voice of thun-
der. He beheld very small boy stand
ing at the top Of the knoll above him,
| not thirty feet away. His face was
quite as dirty as any small boys
should be at that time of day. and his
curly brown hair looked as if it had
not been combed since the day before.
His firm little legs. in half hose and
presumably white Knockers. were
spread apart, and his hands were in
his pockets.
looked about uneasily for the attend
ants who. he knew. should be near. 1t
is safe to say that he came to his feet
and bowed deeply, even in humility.
Il am resting. your highness." he
said meekly.
Don't you know any better than to
come in here?" demanded the prince.
TruXton turned very red.
Il am sorry. I'll so at once.''
"Oh, I'm not going to put you OUT"
hastily exclaimed the prince. coming
down the slope. But you are old
enough to know better. You are the
gentleman who picked up my crop
yesterday. You are an American
Yes, lonely American" with an
attempt at the pathetic.
The youngster looked cautiously
about. Say. do you ever go fishing:'
he demanded eagerly.
Occasionally"
You won't give me away, will you?
with a warning frown. Don't you
tell Jacob Fraasch. He's the steward
II know a fine place to fish,
The prince led the way up the bank
followed by the amused American
who stooped so admirably that the boy
looking back, whispered that it was
lust fine" At the top Of the knoll
the prince turned into a little shrul
lined path leading down to the bank!
of the pool almost directly below thu
rocky face Of the grotto.
The prince scurried behind a hi,
rock and reappeared at once with :
willow branch from the end of which
dangled a piece of thread. A bent PHI
occupied the chief end in view. II
: unceremoniously showed the branc
] into the hands Of his confederate ant
: then produced from one Of his pocket
e a silver cigarette box, which he gir
e gerly opened to reveal to the gaze
a conglomerate mass of angleworms an
grubs.
"a fellow gets awful dirty diggin
for worms, doesn't he?" he pronounced
The prince took the branch and gil
gerly dropped the hook into the dane
ing pool. In less time than it require
to tell it he had nibble, bite an
a catch. There never was boy SO e.
y cited as he when a scarlet nibbler f1e'
into the shrubbery above.
On the opposite bank of the Pc
suddenly appeared two rigid membe
of the royal guard, intently watchiI
the fishers. King was somewhat dl
turbed by the fact that their riff
were in a position to be used at an i
stant's notice He felt himself turni1
W pale as he thought of what mig
IF have happened if he had taken
fight.
Sc A young lady in a rajah silk gown,
IN flimsy panama hat tilted we'll over b
d. nose, with a red feather that stot
lg erect as if always in state of 81
ne prise, turned the bushes and came to
stop almost at Kings elbow. He hi
nd time to note in his confusion that S
was about shoulder high alongside Ri
lis and that she was staring up into
IA face with amazed gray eyes. Aft
ward he was to realize that she W
at amazingly pretty; that her teeth we
Ia | very white and even: that her ey