Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1921-01-05
EVER AFTER
BY MILDRED o. HOMORS.

every night, uOn we, k1QQleS!
Two curly heads bobbed an eager
assent.
Tell US about the snow-white char
ger" little Jean demanded.
$50 he rode away on 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, a 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.
yes, dear. Now run off to bed.
Mothers waiting for you"
rs Mr.. Prentiss going to tell you
story now?'
"Perhaps."
Are you going to tell me story,
Benz"
Il don't know how to Begin
'All good stories begin with Once
apon a time"
"Once upon a time there lived in
sittle cottage in the valley a 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
him his blessing--for twas all he had
60 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,
but he never came back and he never
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 circling hills.
And because he was rosy and merry
and dark, he met a maiden and they
loved and married and lived In lit
tie cottage of their own beside spar.
king stream.
"And the youngest son was dream
er.
Nov, there lived in that same 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 a lacy token and put it on the cas-
tie steps.
"Now 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 woodchoppers 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 treas-
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 if thou
shouldst leave me? Who will 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 10 forget the land
beyond the hills"
"And how does the story end?"
Madge prompted softly.
"Pm sorry, Madge," he blurted, otis
silly story and cclldn't interest you.
IL guess I'd better CO."
Softly. as if 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 waited
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."
"Madge! 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 heart of gold"
"Oh, Mr.. Prentiss," Bobby-bOy, pa
jamaica and breathless appeared in