Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1918-11-25
The Capitals
Short Story
PRINCE CHARMING

BY MILDRED WHITE.


grieve deeply over the loss of horse
was, her neighbors told her. a wicked
thing. But Rhoda continued TO be very
wicked indeed.
Prince Charming was such wonder
fully human horse, courtly compan-
ion too. suggesting the name bestowed
upon him when Rhoda's father brought
him home to her a slender young anil
NAL. white and proudly stepping;
! The great house on the hill where
Rhoda spent her sheltered girlhood,
had passed into other hands at the
time of her fathers death. The estate
was heavily entailed. the lawyers told
her-if she wished temporarily to
make use of a small cottage far up
the road, she could consider herself
| free to do so: and because she was
utterly perplexed by her changed plan
of life, the girl accepted the offer.
And near by In the rickety stable
waited Prince Charming eager to
carry the girl "over the hills and far
away"
Rhoda enjoyed the drives into the
adjacent town; she enjoyed her brisk
canter down the long road at evening.
And Prince Charming, gentleman that
he was, responded instinctively to her
every mood. Now, he too was gone.
Rhoda could no longer afford to keep
him. She wondered wistfully how her
easy-going luxury-loving father had
allowed his affairs to drift so hope
lessly. She thought too of the new
inmate and purchaser of her former
home. as sort Of grasping ogre. For
the inmate had bought Prince Charm.
ing.
Rhoda sat on the porch of her tiny
home and wept.
Then with a little cry she sprang
to her feet. Down the path lead
ing to the rickety barn came a
clatter of hoofs. No other horse ran
with just that rhythmic swing. Why
was the ogre bringing him back? But
1t was no ogre who sat Prince Charm.
ing's saddle, but a straight figure of
man with broad well set shoulders.
Across the lawn rushed the horse,
pausing only at the low step where
Rhoda stood; with loving whine he
bent his white head to the girls Shout
der. Swiftly her arms went about the
horses head.
"Ohi Prince" she murmured. 'you
missed me tool" Then defiantly brush
Ing aside her tears, she looked into
the wide and puzzled brown eyes Of
Prince Charming's driver.
$50 that's the solution" the young
man exclaimed. "Ever since we left
the stables the horse has insisted up
on his own course. Coaxings punish
Ing. were of no avail. I wanted to go
to town, he brought me here. You must
be his former mistress"
Rhoda smiled now, as she continued
to caress the horse, and the man
dropped lightly to the ground. "Prince
Charming and l." Rhoda told him,
shave been friends, chums, compan-
ions. Tell me-" she turned on him
quickly, "does his owner treat him
kindly2
The man laughed. "That response
bility will rest with me-" he said. 1.-THE
gentleman who bought your horse did
so through passing whim. He has
by this time forgotten its existence.
If 1t will relieve your mind, 1 will as
sure good care for the animal.
''Thank you" said the girl, her eyes
expressed gratitude. "Prince Charm
ing Is back In his old home" she add
ed, "I-we-were very happy there. Is
the garden blooming well wonder,
and does the rich old man who owns
It, care?"
''The garden and the house were
Just another satisfied whim," the young
man replied, ''but the flowers are COM
Ing beautifully; look after them"
ST see," said Rhoda. 'Mr. Cameron
is fortunate in having so interested a
caretaker."
The caretaker sprang up to the sad.
die. "Mr. Cameron leaves for south
ern trip tomorrow" he said. 81 hope
that you viii feel welcome to visit
your old gardens as often as you
wish" He looked down into the girls
wistful face. 'Tell you whatr' he
added impulsively. ST win send the
horse down for you"
So followed days too joyous, Rhoda
feared, to last. Prince Charming re-
leased from his stable and saddled for
her use. would speedily find his way
to stamp before the cottage door.
The young caretaker, pruning or
trimming the hedges near by, would
pause often in his work. to rest at her
side. Rhoda at first distantly courte-
Gus, forgot her scrupIes in the delight
of his conversation. He was won
derfully superior person-this man
she confided to Prince Charming.
And while she sat in the little moon
lit porch, silent with her strange dis
covery, quietly, and as though he had
answered the call of her thought, the
young man came.
81 love you Rhoda," he said simply.
ST knew it that first evening when you
looked up at me over Prince Charm
ing's white head. / have been watch
ing for the answer of your heart To-
night, something gave me courage to
/ ~-,rr -, ho INV xrfFa -