Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-05-11

pathetic, hid itself in the dogs furry
side.
A season Of gentle remonstrance
and attempted persuasion followed
but David could not be coaxed.
want my own Prince! I want my owl
Prince!" was ever his cry; and the
ready tears Of childhood overflowec
the bright cheeks, and moistened the
old Princes dull rough coat.
The parents, seeing nothing was tc
be gained by prolonging the trying
scone, decided to dismiss the subject
and to take the matter into their own
| hands The short memory and natural
rebound of childhood, together with
the presence of the new playfellow
could not fail they thought to adjust
matters when once the old dog was
out of sight.
So David was pacified for the mo-
ment Other surprises on the NOR
row were tactfully suggested, and
they left him under the trees appar-
entity content, in the companionship OF
the old friend and the new-the two
Princes.
The birthday dawned clear and
lovely, and the early sunbeams sought
by every chink and crevice to enter
the suffered window Of Davld's
pretty room. Fully an hour earlier
than vas his habit, they found the
small boy lying with wide-open eyes
from which every trace of sleep had
vanished. A vague uneasiness had
troubled the last dreamful hours and,
now that the WEAKNESS of yesterday
Ill "a light
morning slumber refused to weigh
down the eyelids; and David found
himself gazing at the shaft OF sunlight
that lay like a golden bar suspended
between the window and his pillow.
His first thought was of Prince-the
dear old Prince! and he almost wished
the new dog had not come. An unde-
fined fear lay at his heart-of what
he could not tell.
But he would like to seem glad for
the beautiful gift Father had meant
to make him happy. But father and
mother had not understood when they
spoke Of sending Prince away. Per-
haps grown-up people couldn't under
stand little boys and dogs.
But now he'd get up and dress HIM
self without waiting for anybody, and
go find his Prince. Maybe he was
with the proud new dog shar-
ing the shed with him. At any rate
he'd go and find him, and show him
he loved him more than ever.
Just as he was beginning the awk-
ward task of dressing, he heard his
fathers voice in the hall. and that OF
Jensen, the gardener. Something In
the low tones startled him, and he
hurried to the door which was slightly
ajar.
'Let It all be over before the boy
wakens, Jensen. Take him to the
maple grove-that is remote-and be
merciful as possible,s were the words
that fell on his ear.
David's heart stood still and his
breath would not come for a moment
Then with trembling lips he gasped,
my Prince! my own Prince!"
Would they kill him? Would they
bury him in the maple grove-and
he should never see him again?
What could he do? Should he run
to father and beseech him? or should
he 60 after Jensen and save Prince
himself?
But father had returned to his
room; the door was shut. Jensen had
already gone He must go after him.
He must save Prince!
With feverish haste he wrestled
With his small garments. The buttons
would not stay. The ribbon of lit
tie yellow shoe broke with his eager
Everything seemed to go
wrong. But, never m1nd-the one pur-
pose remained-he must save Prince!
A disheavelled half-dressed little
figure finally slipped down the broad
stairway. 1t paused just long enough
at the shed door to make sure only
one occupant was within, the beauti-
full collie. It sprang up to greet the
visitor, but David pulled the door shut
and hurried on.
Across the field in the direction of
the pond he sped, scanning the In
tervening space as he ran; but no
trace of man or dog was visible.
When he reached the rim of the
green bowl his eyes followed the foot
path that led to the other side. 1t was
empty.
How long would it take him to ira
verse it? Should he be too late?
A thought struck him-the canoe!
There is lay at the waters edge,
light shell that he could easily push
out. His father had often let him
take the paddle-he knew how-and
it would save much time.
For once all regard to prohibitions
was gone, swept away by the over
ruling idea-he must save Prince.
The feat of launching was not so
easy, but it was accomplished. And
a wild little boatman, wet to the
knees, with glowing cheeks and d.
lated eyes, pushed the canoe farther
and farther out into the water.
The voyage was slow and painful.
but with numberless readjustings OF
the unruly paddle, and by dint Of much
straining the shore gradually receded.
AS the tiny craft was nearing the
farther side, and the flame of hope in
David's brea st growing brighter. there
suddenly rang out on the still morn
ing air a rifle shot, followed In a
by another-then silence.
The paddle dropped from the boys
hands. A haze seemed to gather be-