The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-02-12


King looked over the low wall. The
prospect was aliuring. The pool the
trickling rivuets. the messy banks. the
dense shadoWs-it was maddening TO
think he could not enter,
Il wouldn't be in there a minute"
he argued. And might catch a
glimpse Of dream lady. Now. | say.
Hobbs. here's a low place. l could
jump
Mr. King. if you do that am
ruined forever. | am trusted by the
steward. He would cut off all my priv
ileges"- Hobbs could go no further.
He was prematurely aghast. Some
thing told him that Mr.. King would
hop over the wall.
Go and report me. Hobbs; there's
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-
chantmeDt. leaving poor Mr.. Hobbs
braced against the wall, weak kneed
and helpless.
What are you doing in here" de-
manded q voice.
Truxton. 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.
King recognized him at once and
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 go 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 your
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 stopped so admirably that the boy.
looking back, whispered that it was
Just fine" At the top of the knoll
the prince turned into a little shrub
lined path leading down to the banks
Of the pool almost directly below the
rocky face Of the grotto.
The prince Scurried behind q big
rock and reappeared at once with
willow branch from the end of which
dangled a piece of thread. \ bent pin
occupied the chief end in view. He
into the hands of his confederate and
then produced from one Of his pockets
silver cigarette box. which he gin
gerly opened to reveal to the gaze a
1Onglomerate mass of angleworms and
grubs.
a fellow gets awful dirty digging
for worms, doesn't he?' he pronounced
The prince took the branch and gin
gerIy dropped the hook into the dane
ING pool. In less time than it requires
to tell it he had nibbie, a bite and
catch. There never was Il boy so eX
cited as he when 4 scarlet nibbler flew
into the shrubbery above.
On the opposite bank of the poo
suddenly appeared two rigid members
of the royal guard, intently watching
the fishers. King was somewhat dis
turbed by the fact that their rifles
were in a position to be used at an in
stant's notice. He felt himself turning
pale as he thought of what nigh
have happened if he had taken t
flight.
A young lady in a rajah silk gown,
fimsy panama hat tilted we'll over he
nose. with a red feather that stoot
, erect as if always in a state OF sur
, prise, turned the bushes and came to ;
stop almost at Kings elbow. He hat
, time to note in his confusion that sh
, was about shoulder high alongside hin
and that she was staring up into hi
, face with amazed gray eyes. After
ward he was to realize that she wa
amazingly Dretry: that her teeth wer