The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1921-07-14

well aware Of the interest she Occa-
stoned as heiress, aware too, of the
awe with which Miss Palmer had re-
garded her upon this account.
The new little Ursula Brown, who
dubbed herself the brown nursemaid,
had no regard for money at all. It
was just a necessity, she said, and one
need not be proud Of its, possession
because it couldn't buy happiness.
1t was all part of the game of grow
ing that the" Goldilocks and the brown
maid played together. Life was no
longer dull in Uncle Rogers big house.
Uncle Roger was Daddy's bachelor
brother, who had become her guardian,
and guardian, too, Of the fortune which
he and she alone shared. Miriam had
been problem to Uncle Roger, until
Ursula came.s
Ursula drifted in most fortunately
one morning when Miss Palmer and
Uncle Roger were having a row, be-
cause returning home unexpectedly at
very late hour the night before, he
had found his niece deserted. Miss
Palmer locking the nursery door be-
hind her, had gone on to some amuse-
ment of her own. Ursula Brown stop
ping to see if Miss Miriam Sturtevant
might not possibly require musical
| instructress, was moved to apply for
Miss Palmer'ssposition instead, and re-
ceived it. Things had gone smoothly
since then.
Uncle Roger was unpleasantly sur
prlsed when she refused to awaken
Miriam late in the evening, that she
might help him while away an hour Of
boredom.
Il might be able to please you with
song," said the young woman.
She did; Roger, listening, wondered
all at once concerning this young wom-
ans past-her home life, how she had
happened to come to them. But when
he eagerly requested another song, she
as firmly refused as she had refused
Mlriam's coming, and passed swiftly
on up to her own quarters.
Women more beautiful than this
quiet little attendant had sought his
company; young women whose favor
one might be proud to win. But, like
Goldilocks, Roger was under the fairy
charm. What spell did she weave, this
silent purveyor Of happiness?
"You know" Goldilocks told him,
during one of their confidential talks,
the brown maid came out from a
green empty wood to seek her fortune.
She has told me all about it. The wood
was green with memories, you see, of
those who had lived with her there
her family. And it was empty, be-
cause they had gone away forever.
$50 she climbed the steep hill, which
was really just our main street, and
she could find no fortune there. So
she came on and on, to the top of the
mountain, which is our own beautiful
avenue. And at the top was the cas-
tle-our house, Uncle Roger-with me,
the Princess Goldilocks just needing
to be cared for. So the brown maid
of the wood stayed on at the CASTLE"
Roger Sturtevant smiled as he sank
back among the couch cushions.
Il see," he said.
When Ursula came hurriedly to put
her charge to bed. she passed by the
couch, all unseeing, following Miriam
to the far shadowy corner.
So they sat together, the brown
nursemaid and Goldilocks.
"Tell me-" begged the child, 'the
rest of the story of the maid of the
wood, Ursula. Did she go on living for
ever in the castle at the top of the
hill, or did handsome prince come
to carry her away? Was there no
prince at all in the castle on the hill,"
asked the child disappointedly.
Roger could hear the girls breath
catch in little broken laugh.
Yes, there was a prince" she an
swered, holding Miriam close, "a really
wonderful prince, who had travelled
many lands and whose pockets were
filled with gold. Many beautiful prin-
cesses sought to become his bride, for
he was good and true, as he was hand
some. Even the old servants loved him,
and he was as gentle as a mother
to one little girl. It was but natural
then, that he should also seek to be
kind to the poor maid of the wood.
Goodnight Goldilocks,n" the voice end
ed abruptly.
"Why," said the child, "why Ursula,
there are tears on your cheek"
Behind the two came quickly a
mans tall figure. Uncle Roger, bend
ing, kissed tenderly his own small
niece, then more tenderly, the other"
Il will finish the story he said.
'This prince fellow who lolled around
with his pockets full Of gold that nev-
er would buy anything he really want
ed, came to love, as it happened, tais
sweet woodland maid with love that
never could let her go, and So"
His eyes sought Ursula's. He begged
her to stay at.the castle forever.
did she promise to stay drowsily
asked the child.
Forever" Ursula softly answered.