The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-06
THE EVENING STORY
At the END of the Story.
IBy Clarfssa. Mackie.l

A>-A@~@
Eames withdrew from under the car
and looked helplessly up and down the
long stretch of country road. The
was not a house in sight, nor a vehicle
OF any description. nor even a human
being, save a woman and two children
crossing a distant field.
1t was bad breakdown, he admitted,
as with hands in pockets he surveyed
the machine. He had left the city with
the intention of running down to the
Towers. where he had been invited for
the weekend. He was a good three
miles from the house now as the road
ran, and the disabled automobile was
stranded en- this by-road he had fool
1shly taken merely because he had once
watched sunset here with Helen
Weir. As they had parted forever six
miserable weeks ago. there was bitter
sweetness in reliving one of their happy
days.
by Jove, it's the very same treel''
he exclaimed. looking UP into the
branches of the lofty elm that threw
generous shade on either side of the
stone wall I'll rest here while and
wait for a tow into the village" With
this himsy excuse to sentiment Eames
threw himself down on the grassy bank
and closed his eyes,
Let US sit here. children said a
sweet voice on the other side of the
wall.
TELL us a story auntie," pleaded a
shrill young voice.
What shall it be, Peter?''
ooh, about wicked man and a love-
ly princess cried the voice of Peter.
"A goggle-eyed man with terrible
horns!''
Very well; let me think moment"
Intense silence followed and then:
Once upon a time there lived a fool
ish princess whose home was in a
country very much like this"
"WaS the castle like the TowerS?'
squeaked a third voice.
mot at ALL Peggy! She lived in a
little cottage. for she was poor. al
though her rich relations lived in a
great castle near by
"And was the castle like the Tow
ers? Did it have a high wall with
great spikes on top?" persisted Peggy.
Yes, indeed; but you must not in
terrupt me or shall forget the story
One day the princess was in her gar
den when handsome young prince
garden he fell in love with her.
How 90 you know he loved the
princess, aunt:e?'
81 don't really know, Peggy" re-
81 know only that he told her that
he loved her and that some day they
would be married and live very hap
PLY together. Every day they took
long walks and drives around the
country, and one afternoon they came
and stood under tree just like this
one The voice broke.
what makes you cry, auntie? I
don't think it's sad bit. They only
came and stood under a tree. and it
was like this one" expostulated prac-
teal Peter.
"I'm not crying-don't be imperti-
nent, Peter
"Tell us a funny story. don't like
this one.''
'I want to hear the rest of it,
how1ed Peggy mournfully. 81 want
to hear about the wicked man."
''Now be quiet, children. and will
go on. As was saying. the prince
and the princess came and stood
under this tree and watched the sun
set, and wicked fairy saw them. and
as it made her angry to see any one
happy. she said to herself, There. I'll
settle those young people And shak-
ing her staff at them she disappeared
in her cave.
.'The next day she approached the
princess and said to her. Lovely
'Was she 1ovely?" interrupted
Peter.
1.-THE prince said she was" admit
ted the voice modestly. 1.-THE witch
said, Lovely maiden. the man who
seeks your hand is not free. He is
engaged to marry another damsel who
has vast wealth and greater beauty
than yours The princess was much
distressed at this news and all that
night she wept because of the mans
faith1essness.
1.-THE next morning she went to the
wicked witch and said boldly, I don't
believe your story, witch!' and the
witch smiled and said, Follow me-
They went to window that overlook
ed the highroad and the witch said,
The prince will be disguised in a
bearskin cloak and he will wear great
google eyes and you may not recog-
niZe him, but-here he comes! There
was cloud of dust, a loud blowing
of horns and an enchanted coach
whirled by
Just like an automobul!" shouted
Peter gleefu1ly.
Very much like an automobile"
agreed the sweet voice. Inside the
enchanted coach the princess saw her
prince and beside him was a very
very beautiful lady. Her face was
hidden behind pink wells and other
lovely things The voice sounded a
little bitter.
How could the princess see that
the lady was beautiful under all the
veils?'' demanded Peggy curiously.
THE witch told me-er-told her
that the lady was very beautiful. The
prince sat in the coach, too, and he
was so much changed that the poor
princess hardly knew him. He had
on a great fur coat and furry gloves
and great goggles. The princess saw
that the witch had told the truth and
that the prince was no longer faithful
to her."
$50 the princess went home and wept
bitterly. The very next day the prince
came to see her and he pretended not
to know the beautiful lady with whom
he had been driving the day before
So the princess was very angry and
sent him away and said she never
wanted to see him again." The voice
broke again.
take my handkerchief, auntie.''
soothed Peter.
ST amt crying yet" commented
Peggy. cal1ously.
II don't think we understand the