The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1915-05-07

Ell. is lL Il oalSItlH: she auueu
laughingly.
I'm afraid Mr.. Gilbert would prose
cute me for OBTAINING you under false
p]retcnses if l attempted to conclude
that bargain l answered.
"Wcll. YOU do look more like a knight
than Il prince" she admitted critically.
and no my knight Grant, either,'' she
continued d~isapprovingly, but he of
the rueful countenance. What do you
mean by hiding in your den and COM
polling us to hunt you up?
"Ts:" l repeated. Whom do YOU
mean?'
".Al! those with fayorS to beStow."
"You have Il favor for me?' l inouir.
ed smilingly.
well. l had" she answered re-
p%roachfully. but l gave it away when
l couldn't find you. If you're very re-
pentent. however, We might steal a
dance now"
I'm afraid your partner wouldn't
think that fair" l protested.
My p%artncr:"
mir. Gilbert" l explained.
ooh. Deake.' she answered lightly,
''by the way. that reminds me! He
asked me to present his apologies for
running off without seeing you, but he
had to catch the midnight train. and it
would hardly do for him to be late to-
morrow, would it," she added laugh
ingly.
"If he stayed until the end Of this
dance" l responded. he'd have been
up in time for the earliest morning
train, and
But his wedding is at noon."
l stared at the girl in amazement.
Don't you know he's to be married
in Philadelphia tomorrow she ex-
claimed. We'll, l know he intended
to tell you tonight she went on. al
though he didn't want it generally
known. BECAUSE
Il thought he was dancing the CO.
tillon with you,' l interrupted.
NO, indeed" Miss Barbara answer
ed. II didn't have any partner, so he
offered to keep me company for
awhile"
You didn't have any p%artner?" re-
peated a%ccusingly.
We'll. l thought l had" she answer
| cd. but he forgot
He forgot:'
Yes. Now confess. didn't you:'
Indeed. l did not" l asserted. But
I tried to forget when l saw Mr.. Gil
bert had taken my place"
Now. for an intelligent juror that
was a very stupid proceeding" she as
serted. ito say nothing Of its injustice
to me-.
IF l have been unjust l have been
punished for it." l protested. And
my coming out party has been almost
spoiled. Won't you save it by giving
NE the remainder of the dance#'
1T was my fault she exclaimed i'm
rulsively. Come
She started up from the divan as she
spoke, but drew back laughingly.
My slipper. please she demanded.
Il must have proof Of its ownership
I answered warningly.
81 accept the test" she responded.
| stopped down. and as l fitted the
slipper on her foot l glanced up at her
Mile. Cinderella I began, II am
the bearer of a message. Will your
ladyship deign to hear it,
"A message:' she repeated. From
Whom:'
From a comrade, a friend-a peti
%tioner-a Knight
Are you sure"' she interrupted.
Il am in the sender's confidence
mademoisclle.' l answered. "He bid:
me say he loves you and has loved yot
since the very hour he met you-tha'
he knows no words to tell you Wha'
lies hidden in his heart. He merely
asks that YOU will look into his eye:
and tell him what YOU see there
The girl gazcd steadily at me for
moment as l ceased speaking.
What do you see in minc:" sh'
questioned.
"A lover l responded.
"a p%rince:' she queried.
"No-only a beegarly plealcr.' l an
swrrcd.
"L.ook Closer she whispered, can
vou will see Prince Charning,'
"Witch..' ! murmurcd, with my arm
about her. "You've transformed mel"
She shook her head as she gazcd u.
smilingly into my face.
'You had to be the prince if | prove
Cinderella" she answered. ut wa
part Of the %contract.'
Is the contract fulfilled. then.?"
questioned, and, looking down into he
eyes, | saw my answer. "Thel kno'
ye. Cinderella I continued sagely
"that contracts are signed sealed
and
would have illustrated all my Learn
in.. but the words We're taken frol
my lips.
".And dclivcrcd.." she intcrrupte
softly.
THE END.