The Press., 1910-11-16
HOW TIE PRINCE CAME Jim wade Feared He Woaad Lose Hia DaHshtse.
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 FA--f- 7y cLARtssA MAcKIE.
By cLARtssA MAcKIE.
Copyright. 1909. by American Press
 Association. .-
EVVVVVVVVVYN VyNVy

broad hand and looked over his rlcE fields ripe for the harvest. Asfar as tn. eye could see from his. point of van tage on the ranch house steps the land was his own.
 Eecause Molly Wade was his only child, Jim, watching her grow up iron Il nOtherless girlhood. was full oi fears and representations for her 10 iure. The best In the Worltf was mona t,o good for Molly, ana 50 awaAy tC ArhoOI Molly went. and when she came back, unchanged, uIispoiied, 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 q home lover-a hOmenaker. -st
 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 birdIlng And ei4ch morning he looked searchlngIy Into her clear blue eyes seeking some change that might tell him of the threatened fnYasfOn of her heart. for suitOrs there were in plenty at the Wade ranch. q.
 This morning Molly dashed around from the corral on her little black mare Daisy. -s ss ss
 Where now, hOneyT' asked Jim.
 "A ride in the corn, father. Can't you come, dear'g' Molly'sS 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 grace that was only equaied 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 gr'S
 Molly patted the belt at her trim waist, where a small revolver gleamed in the holster. Right here, dad. I'll be home in time for dinner. So longT'
 Don't let any fairy princes run away with you, daughter" admOnish- ed Jim You know worry q 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 q serious matter to her father. . r- She urged Daisy to the foot of the steps and fiicked her father lightly on the shoulder with her whip. Dad, dear, really believe you are worried I've never eveti seen the manor prinee-Fd leave you for. There, are you ,ssatisfied?' He leaned down and kissed her lovely, laughing face, and $ warh smile lighted his grim features.
 God bless you, darling. I want you to be happy, but hope it will be many 2 day before the prince does comes I'm selfish old brute, ehY'
 Not a 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 snapping reapers. AFthousand acres of corn whisper | 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 lock of her soft hair. Her eyes grew dreamy as she Listened to the whispering and d look came into her face d 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 caughtea 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 He and merry and rOllicking as. so many of those gay automobfiists ap- 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 flashing motorist becanie enamored of farm life and elected to settle down at Wade's ranch for a lifetime, with q , huge red car stabbed among the horses5 All Ut once Molly drew rein and lis7 tened to a sound other than the sigh} ing of the corn. There was the thud, !. thud, of hoofs in another aisle near byl Perhaps. 1t whs her father. or, at any rate. it would be one of the men from the ranch. 'sHelIop' called Molly musically.
 "HeIIoFp came back in a mans deep voice. :.
 As the man lifted his battered felt hat Molly realized that he was stran- ger, and her eheeRs grew warm under the gaze of his dark eyes. He was very good TO look upon. young and straight and strong. with 2 browned face and chestnut hair. Ills blue nanr 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 q blankeE
 @I am afraid I've lost my way v said the stranger pleasantly. ''T've been wandering in this cornfield for the last three hours. ! Pekhaps you can direct me to Wade'g place rr is it pos sible you are lost to0?S A
 Molly smiled and shook her head. @E an show you the way easily. I am MT. Wade's daughter" she explained 1yeR her shoulder as the nkRle mare walked on. s-' .s7 a.Ess iS.4sF The Stranger turned his horse into he aisle behind Molly and followed close In Her wake. M
 "ALy name Is Norton-Scott Norton. q ne said after little pause ''I'm look ing for work in the ieits. was tod MT. Wade needed help"
 He does." assented Molly eagerly. They want to make crop before the 20th. and father was wishing thls. morning for half dozen extra men.'s 2: "I am very glad" said Norton.
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