The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1920-12-24
EVER AFTER
BY MILDRED o. AoMoRs.

every night, don't we kiddies?"
Two curly heads bobbed an eager
assent.
Tell Us about the snow-whte char
ger" little Jean demanded.
$50 he rode away Oh his snow-white
charger to right the wrong and to fol-
low the king, and he rode and rode,
until he came to the hut where the
old witch lived"
Ben Prentiss watched her wistfully.
With an arm around each child, her
bright hair close to Jeans dark curls,
Madge had never looked prettier or
more unattainable.
And when the castle gates were
opened. beggar boy was standing
outside and no one knew that he was
Prince Charming In Disguise"
The pretty story drew to Its trium.
plant close.
$50 they were married and there
was feasting and laughter for seven
days and they lived happily ever af-
ter"
Happily ever after!' breathed
Bobby-boy.
Eyes, dear. Now run off to bed.
Mothers waiting for you"
rs Mr.. Prentiss going to tell you a
story now7"
Perhaps
Are you going to tell me story
Benz"
II don't know how to begin"
"All good stories begin with Once
upon time"
"Once upon time there lived In 4
little cottage In the valley poor
woodchopper who had three sons. The
oldest son was straight and fair and
tall, and he longed for wealth and
luxury as thirsty blossoms long for
the dew. So one day, the old man gave
MIN his hlessing-for twas all he had
to give-and he set out over the cir
cling hills to the country that lies be-
yond. And by and by news of his ad-
ventures drifted back to the valley,
found the pot Of gold.
"Now, the second son was rosy and
merry and dark. And one sunny day
the father gave him his blessing. and
he, too set out over the circllng hills.
And because he was rosy and merry
and dark, he met maiden and they
loved and married and lived In lit
tie cottage OF their own beside a SPAR
king stream.
"And the youngest son was dream
er.
Now, there lived in that snme coun-
try king whose gray castle crowned
the hilltop. The king had daughter.
the Princess Winsome, whose hair was
like spun gold and whose cheeks were
like the apple blossoms in the spring
time. And the woodchopper's boy used
to see the princess riding past his
cottage, and he used to pick the pref
test wild flowers to give her as she
passed And once, at the feast Of st.
Valentine, he broke his little bank to
buy lacy token and put 1t on the cas-
tie steps.
Nov as the Princess Winsome grew
up twas said that whoever had the
most to offer-be he prince or only
freeman-should win her hand in mar
raige. How the woodchopper's son
longed for the day when he. too, should
venture beyond the circlIng hills to
sail the seven seas, for he dared to
hope that he might bring back tra>s-
ures rich enough and fair enough to
win the hand of the Princess Winsome.
But when he spoke of going, the IA
. ther said:
"'Who will chop the wood II thou
shouldst leave me? Who win till the
fields and tend the Sheep"
$50, because he was old and need
ed him. the youngest son stayed with
the father and tried to forget the land
beyond the hills"
"And how does the story end?'
Madge prompted softly.
''rm sorry, Madge," he blurted, "it's
silly story and couldn't interest you.
II guess I'd better 60"
Softly, as II she had not heard. she
took up the story.
"And many suitors came to the cas-
tie on the hill and right royalty were
they entertained. Then one by one
they boosted of their valiant deeds
and begged the Princess Winsome to
marry them. But she only smiled and
shook her head. and one by one they
went away. SO the princess walt~l
until one day the woodchopper's son
appeared at the castle gate, and then
the princess was very, very happy, for
she knew he was her prince In dis
guise."
"Madgei You don't mean-you
can't mean ~
In the moonlight her little face was
like a flower, tip-tilted.
"But Madge, dear. I've nothing to
offer you-except love.
"You have the only things / want
dreams and a heart Of gold"
"Oh. Mr.. Prentiss," Bobby-boy. pa
jama-clad and breathless, appeared In
the doorway. eve couldn't hear the
rest of your story. Did they get mar
ried and live happily ever afterT