Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-24


l heard him stumble over chair; then,
waiting for nothing further, stole as silently
as possible round the back of the Winthrop
house, making with all possible haste and
discretion toward my own abode. Once
there, | Invested myself of my armor, plant
ing it behind a rosebush, climbed pillar of
the veranda, entered my house by an upper
window, and sinking into chair laughed
heartily for fully five minutes.
The thought of King foundering about
in the dark in Blair Winthrop's house was
too ridiculous. When he finally came to the
front door, opened it, and found no one
ing the garden, what would he think? 1
could see him, puzzled, yet furious, stealthily
returning the stepladder to its proper place.
Still puzzled, he would read the account of
the ball in tomorrow mornings newspaper;
only to find that Blair Winthrop appeared
in the costume of Texas ranger. He would
search further for the name of a guest wear
ing a suit of armor, and wouldn't find it.
What would he think then?
Though | am not of vindictive nature,
the fruits of revenge tasted sweet IN my
mouth. At last was even with King l
felt that he had repaid me my sixty dollars
we'll, Blair was rich-and he never should
have given Prince Charming to Rosalie!
Which reminded me that now would be a
good time to restore that troublesome ami
NAL to his rightful owner.
HASTILY arraying myself in a dark suit
- of clothes, | let myself out of the house,
this time with the key in my pocket, and
walked jauntily toward the stable. On this
occasion, feeling no need of armOr, | entered
the box stall unconcernedy; and when
Prince Charming made feeble dash at me,
instead of retreating l ordered him down,
fastened the leash to his collar, and led him
forth as casually as if it had been the custom
of years. Prince Charming never showed
tooth. He may have been coward; but
he was no fool, that dog.
Once outside Rosalie garden, unleashed
Prince Charming, gave him an affectionate
pat; then lifting him bodily, dropped him
on the other side of the wall. A thud a
whimper-and then joyous bark. Prince
Charming evidently recognized his sur
roundings and felt that all was well.
Of course | did not attend the ball that
night. Instead, stayed at home wondering
what would be my next move. One thing
was certain, Rosalie must never know l had
been in any way responsible for Prince
Charming absence. must wait with what
patience l could till favorable moment
arrived for making friendly advances.
| was relieved of the tedious task of wait
ing patiently; for next morning a groom
brought me a note from Rosalie. 1t read:
DEAR BnLy-I know you will be glad to
learn that Prince Charming. who has been miss
ing now for almost two weeks, turned up this
morning quite Unexpectedly. Won't you come
to tea this afternoon to celebrate the prodigal's
return? ROSALIE.
p S. I will see that the guest of honor is
chained up promptly at four, when 1 hope l
may expect you. Please answer.
ROSALIE.
A half-hour later 1 despatched Williams,
to whom had already explained the mys-
terry of the empty box stall, with this reply:
DEAREST RosAL1E.-I shall be delighted to
come to tea this afternoon; though l must. 1
fear, name condition: that the guest of honor
be at liberty when l arrive. 1t has occurred to
that you must think q hopeless coward.
l wish. above all else, to prove to you how
mistaken you are. Yours BILLY
SURE enough, Prince Charming was not
~ on chain when | arrived for tea. He and
Rosalie made a charming picture there on
the front steps ready to greet me. But there
was a flaw in the picture: Rosalie had tight
hold of Prince Charning's collar.
Noting this, called, while still some dis
lance away, "Let go his collar Rosalie."
n 81 - Il.