The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1910-03-20


By and by came Il young man in
evening clothes and sat upon the third
bench from the prince. For half an
hour he smoked cigars with nervous
haste, and then he fell to watching the
face Of the illuminated clock above the
trees.
His perturbation was very evident,
and the prince noted in sorrow that Its
cause was connected in some manner
with the slowly moving hands of the
timepiece.
His htghness arose and went to the
young mans bench.
81 beg your pardon for addressing
you" he said, but perceive that you
are disturbed in mind. If it may serve
to mitigate the liberty | have taken |
will add that am Prince Michael, heir
to the throne of the electorate of Val
leluna | appear incOgnitO, of course,
as you may gather from my appear
ancc.
at is a fancy of mine to render
aid to others whom think worthy OF
it. Perhaps the matter that seems
TO distress you is one that would
more readily yield to our mutual eff
forts
The young man looked up brightly at
the prinCe--brightly but the perpendic-
ular line of perplexity between his
brows was not smOCthed away. He
laughed, and even then it did not. But
still he accepted the momentary diver
sion.
"Glad to meet you, prince" he said
good hImoredly Eyes, I'd say you
were incOg, all right. Thanks for your
offer of assistance, but l don't see
where your butting in would help
things any. It's a kind of private af-
fair, you know. But thanks all the
same"
Prince Michael sat at the young
mans side. He was often rebuffed,
but never extensively. His courteous
manner and words forbade that.
Clocks" said the prince, "are
shackes on the feet of mankind.
have observed you looking persistently
at that clock It's face is that Of u
tyrant; its numbers are false as those
on n lottery ticket; its hands are those
of q bunko steerer who makes an
appointment with you to your ruin.
Let me entreat you to throw off its
humiliating bonds and to cease to
| order your affairs by that insensate
! monitor of brass and steel"
IL don't usually" said the young
man. "I carry a watch except when
I've got my radiant rags on"
"T know human nature as l do the
trees and grass" said the prince, with
earnest dignity. 81 am master of
philosophy, graduate in art, and |
hold the purse of Fortunatus. There
are few mortal misfortunes that / can
| not alleviate or overcome. | have read
your countenance and found in it hon
esty and nobility as well as distress.
I beg Of you to accept my advice or
aid. Do not belle the intelligence /
see in your face by judging from my
appearance OF my ability to defeat
| your troubles
The young man glanced at the clock
! again and frowned darkly. When hts
gaze strayed from the glowing horo-
| logue Of time 1t rested intently upon d
| four story red brick house In the row
OF dwellings opposite to where he sat
The shades were drawn, and the lights
| in many rooms Shone dimly through
| them.
"Ten minutes to Or exclaimed the
young man. with an impatient gesture
Of despair. He turned his back upon
the house and took rapid step or two
in contrary direction.
"Remainv' commanded Prince Mi
chaeI in SO potent voice that the dis
| turbed one wheeled around with a
somewhat chagrined laugh.
"I'lI give her the ten minutes, and
then I'm off, he muttered, and then
aloud to the prince, "P1l join you in
confounding all clocks, my friend, and
throw in women too"
"Sit down." said the prince calmly.
Il do not accept your addition. Wo-
men are the natural enemies Of clocks
and therefore the allies of those who
would seek liberation from these mon
SLGTS ludL Jul lUlllGS llll-
it cur pleasures. If you will SO far
| confide in me | would ask you to re-
late to me your story
The young man threw himself upon
the bench with a reckless laugh.
"Your royal highness, WILL" he
said In tones of mock Difference $40
you see yonder house-the one with
three upper windows lighted? Well,
at o'clock | stood in that house with
the young lady | am-that is, was
engaged to. i had been doing wrong,
my dear prince. | had been naughty
boy, and she had heard of it. / want
ed to be forgiven. of course. We are
always wanting women to forgive us,
aren't we, prince?
81 want time to think over it, said
she. There is one thing certain-I
will either fully forgive you or l will
never see your face again. There will
be no halfway business. At half past
81 she said. at exactly half past 8,
you may be watching the middle upper
~ ~ IL