Omaha daily bee., 1919-04-06
Heroisnn of Prince Froggie
By MINNIE GRANT TARR-

sun rays. enjoying HUGH lonSea-
! for stroll in solitude. when she was
tnduly startled with strange WOW
WOW" uttered in morning greeting,
and. turning. she beheld the most
magnificent froggie she had ever
seen. Her astonishment. was great,
but she politely asked him to be
seated on one OF the many elegantly
cushioned -1oadstools nearby and
listen to her warning. The stranger,
dressed III suit of emerald green,
DOTTED his plumed hat in acknowl-
edgement OF the honor bestowed
upon 'him, handed Princess lsa to a
cool toadstool, then leaning his
lance and shield against tie sturdy
trunk of willow seated himself
opposite her royal highness the
better TO watch her ever changing
and beautiful countenancc. -
Princess lisa uufolded the blood
curdling tales of the Green Dragon,
his entrance into their beloved king
dom and the vain efforts Of all the
wise men. and the foolish for that
matter. to rid their land OF the
monster; at the conclusion OF her
recital. instead of drawing in deep
Mortified breath and shuddering WIS.,
IDLY as Miss Princess expected this
stranger 10 do, he merely crossed
one leg over the other and said:
"Ah, | would that ! might meet this
demon of the underworld face to
face in knightly combat and per-
chance he would dance a jig of a
different sort for the amusement of
the King and his court"
."Oh. surely, you would not at
tempt so daring feat" exclaimed
Princess lisa, shuddering in terror
at the thought OF this wonderful
frog slipping lightly down the old
dragons throat.
"And, why not" queried this Won
drous creature, The sport in itselt
were worth it, if no prize were Of
fered, as surely there must be, al
though you have not mentioned that
matter" then as he saw the quick
bushes mantle her soft. rounded
cheek, he smiled broadly and said,
"Ah, see it now and a poor dufer
I will be indeed and worthy the
most terrible punishment possible
if do not win the-prize.' ~.
What do you means" blushlnely
inquired the Princess. For answer
the stranger merely bent his head
toward her and said with quiet
smile: "Ah, little princess, for prln-
cess ! know thou art by look and
manner born, dost give me leave
TO win the prize: "Then as her face
blanched in terror at the thought OF
what horrible death awaited him
if he did not succeed in killing the
dragon. he said: Pear not. little
one, just trust me and all will be.
we'll. And now let us repair to, the
king, your father, where you may
introduce me as Prince Nordie OF
the Guield,s for that am /.
Together they strolled up the
walk toward the castle W erc great
CONSERVATION was growing at the
disappea rance OF the princess, none
daring to break the news to her
father for fear OF his terrible wrath
in case the Princess had also fallen
victim to the old dragon. Imagine
their JOY when they beheld her
coming up the tortoise she'll lined
walk, also how shocked were they
on perceiving princess of such,
noble blood walking with strange
knight, but coldly brushing them
aside the Princess swept up the
steps and into the presence Of her
father. and his council with Prince
Nordie at her side.
The king glanced sternly at the
princess and wrathfully at Prince
Nordie and doomed out a terrible
What now?" that sent the timid
froggies scuttling behind the royal
NANTES of their Drawer folk. Prince
Nordie\ advanced to the foot Of the
old kings throne and, on the kings
consent, introduced himself and
told his nlissien, at the conclusion
of which the old king croaked Tut
tut, a dainty morsel i..deed Tor the
foul hend, but let it be. If il were
not you some other knight, perhaps
of more wit than you seem to pos
sess, would be his mex, meal.
Not So dashed Prince Nordie
in reply. Not so, my good friend.
Tomorrow morn at high dawn let
the royal court assemble on yonder
knoll overlooking the castle
grounds. and on this edge OF the
wood south OF the river the dragon
and I will have our little bout, at
the end Of which, noble friend, be
prepared to grant ME the hand of
your royal daughter in marriage,
and this you will not regret. for |
lam OF as noble blood as your own
mighty majesty, and boast several
Kingdoms of mine own. Therefore,
the offer of half your Kingdom may
be withdrawn, for | need it not. nor
care for tin fact, my own goodly
possessions being as much. as /
care for by way OF land Therefore,
noble sir. issue orders that all frogs,
both small and great, beAbanished
within doors until high dawn to-
morrow morn. so that the dragon
may not feast upon some poor devil
of frog and be not tempted forth
at the dawn's breaking in search Of
food And now FAREWELL friends,
until the morrow" at winch the
stranger withdrew, leaving sickly
looking lot of gaping frogs behind
him. Ito Be Continucd)
--------------