The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-08-27
THE EVENING STORY
When the Prince Came.
nv Edith r. PancOaStO

(By Edith II. RanCOdSt)
| Marian sat on the top step alone
in the warm. oppressive dusk OF an
early July night. 1t was an hour
past the dinner session, and her fell
! low boarders had drifted away to
find a cooler atmosphere.
| Marian leaned her chin on her
palms and wondered if discomfort of
mind had anything to do with physi-
cal discomfort, or was the rising
temperature affecting her spirits
| Anyway, she was altogether wretch
ed, and she felt that she hated Mrs.
Winne's boarding house and every
| body in it.
| What are you doing out here,
| Miss Marian?"
! She knew who was speaking with
out turning her head. Others called
her Miss Barley, but Mr.. Peter Tai
| bot had always addressed her as
Miss Marian.
I'm looking for the prince, Mr.
| Talbot"
| Marian's answer came languidly,
but there was a tinge of earnestness
| in her voice.
| The prince?' repeated her COM
panion. in a puzzled way.
Yes. You know every young girl
| is supposed to be looking for a
| prince to come. Mine hasn't come
yet; and I'm still looking
| Mr.. Peter Talbot descended to the
l
sitting, and looked at her attentive
| ly. He was a short, prim man, with
q pair of keen, deep-set eyes that
contrasted strangely with the good
natured simplicity of his round,
chubby, middle-aged face
To no one else in the house couId
Marian have spoken so whimsically
| or the coming of her prince
suppose you'll know him when
you see him, Miss Marian? You've
got a picture of him %
I of course" laughed the girl n,,sb-
ing back her loose side locks. "He
| is very tall and straight, and has
golden hair and a beautiful nose
ana you expect him to come on a
milll-white charger"
NO; in a little red motor car NY,
but L wish he'd come tonight
, Little Mr.. Talbot looked wistfuIlv
at her, and then down the shadow
street.
Your voice sounds tired" he said.
1t must have been hard for you at
the store today. If you amt afraid
the prince'H come while you're away.
I'd like to take you round the corner
for a soda"
"a soda in the hand is worth more
than prince in the distance, Mr..
Talbot"
Marian rose slowly, patting down
her light skirts. They had their
cool refreshment, wandered about the
Sli eelS 1OE d while, ana returned
home. Mr.. Peter Talbot ENCOURAGED
by her friendliness. thought that he
! might venture to ask her to take a
trolley ride the next hot evening.
They had always been very good
friends, but now Marian began to
talk more of herself and her dull
work-a-day life.
I've never had as much fun as
the other girls she said one night
when they had gone to the beach
in II e
they call a good mixer. L can't like
everybody; in fact, lately, L don't
seem to like anybody"
Peter Talbot nodded comprehen-
sively.
You're getting tired out. It's time
that prince came along. Miss Marian,
I'm going to try to help you. 1 know
some fine young fellows
'Oh, Mr.. Talbot 1 was only
joking"
Yes. know; but-won't you let
me try? Leave it to me-
Quiet and plain as he appeared,
Mr.. Peter Talbot proved himself to
be quite diplomat. In various adroit
meet some of the more creditable OF
his masculine acquaintances. At all
events. the little parties he planned
seemed very agreeable to the lonely
girl, and their simple outings relieved
the strain of the seasons drudgery.
Toward the end of the summer, how
ever. Peter lamented his seeming
lack of success.
I'm afraid none of my friends are
princely enough he said. You don't
seem to care for them
Nor they for me, beyond the
pleasure of the hour" replied Marian.
frankly. But we've had some jolly
times together. You've been awfully
good to me-"
Some one was coming up the street
then. He was tall and straight, and
his hair was yellow.
why, it's Bobby Finch said
Peter He was out with US last night
Marian rose, fluttering and flush
ing. That evening Peter stayed alone
in the boarding house.
WELL he reflected, t'Bobby's
good fellow and he's. got a fine bust
ness head. And that little girl would
make the right man happy-she's
homebody. She's just lost in the pub
lie world. There's a lot of common
sense in that curly head of hers, for
all her romantic notions and nonsense.
oh, dear, if I was only young-and
had a beautiful nosei"
He ruefu1ly stroked that rather in
significant feature and ruffled his
neat sandy hair. And he ruffled his
hair again three days later when
young Finch raced up to Mrs. Winne's
door in smart runabout. and Marian
was speeded away to the envy of all
the feminine watchers along the line.
Within the next two weeks, the
dashing Bobby had appeared at the
boarding house seven times. His old