Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1910-02-10
HOW THE
PRINCE CAME
Jim Wade Feared He Would
Lose His Daughter
and He Did.
BY CLARISSA MACkIE.
Copyright. 1909 by American Press
BY cLARISSA MACKIE.

Jim Wade shaded his eyes with one
broad hand and looked over his rich
fields ripe for the harvest. AS far as the
eye could see from his point of van
tage on the ranch house steps the land
was his own.
Because Molly Wade was his only
child, Jim, watching her grow up from
motherless girIhood, was full of
fears and approximations for her flu
ture. The best in the world was none
too good for Molly, and so away to
school Molly went, and when she came
back, unchanged. unspoiled, he was
thankful.
She came back as simple hearted
and home loving as when she had
taken her fearful farewell of hIn. The
80 called broader life for women had
no attraction for Molly Wade. She
was first and last home lover-a
Ihomemaker.
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
birding. And each morning he looked
searchingly into her clear blue eyes
seeking some change that might tell
him of the threatened invasion of her
heart, for suitOrS there were in plenty
at the Wade ranch.
This morning Molly dashed around
from the corral on her little black mare
Daisy.
Where now. honey?" asked jim.
"a ride in the corn, father. Can't
you come. dear? Molly's hair was
like ripened corn silk. and her eyes
were as blue as the sky overhead. The
black of her hat made Il frame for her
delicate skin. tinted with bloom and
warmed by the sun. Slender and 1.-THE
she sWayed in the saddle with IA grace
that was only equaled 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 ->
Molly patted the belt at her trim
waist, where small revolver cleaned
i'm the holster. Right here. dad. Ill
be home in time for dinner. SO long"
Don't let any fairy princes run
away with you, daughter" admonish
ed Jim. You know | worry 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 serious
matter to her father.
She urged Daisy to the foot of the
steps and tiicked her father lightly or
the shoulder with her whip. Dad
dear, really believe you are worried
I've never even seen the manor
'prince-I'd leave you for. There, art
you satisfied" He leaned down ant
kissed her lovely, laughing face, and 1
warm smile lighted his grim features.
God bless you. darling. | want yol
to be happy, but | hope it will be man.
q day before the prince does come
I'm selfish old brute, eh:"
mot a bit, dad. And when he doe!
come We'll set him to work in tn,
fields and live right along with you"
With laughing, backward glance
Molly. rode away toward, the fields o
tall corn that had not yet fallen pre-,
to the swapping reapers.
A thousand acres of corn whisper
ing in the wind! 1t was like thicl
forest. thought Molly, as Daisy thread
ed her way daintily through the tai
stalks.
Overhead the yellowed leaves rustic
crisply On either side they reache
long, fluttering fingers to brush Molly
rose leaf face or TO touch Il lock of he
soft hair. Her eyes grew dreamy a
she listened to the whispering, and
look came into her face-a look tha
her father had never seen.
Molly had had her day dreams-il
deed. she had dreamed of lover WI
came out Of a fascinating world {
which she had caught mere giimps
In her school days. The prince WI
would come and claim her one d.
would come spinning down the sta
road In motorcar. Handsome
would be and merry and rollicking
so many of those gay automobiles a
peared to be-
But when II came 10 the wrench
parting with her dear father Molly
dream always changed to one whe
the dashing motorist became enamor
OF farm life and elected 10 settle doN
nc Wade's ranch for a lifetime. with
huge red car stabbed among the hors
All at once Molly drew rein and
tened to a sound other than the sii
ing OF the corn. There was the thu
lkbud. OF boots IN another aisle near
49,