The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1921-01-21
EVER AFTER
BY MILDRED o. HoMoRs.


$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 it's 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 a story,
Benz"
Il don't know how to begin"
"All good stories begin with Once
upon a time"
"Once upon a time there lived in a
little 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
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 adj
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
anu htil N liC mt u iiitllNNh anu t'NJ
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 same coun-
try king whose gray castle crowned
the hilltop. The king had a 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 ridingspast 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 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 treaR-
ures rich enough and fair enough to
win the hand of the Princess WinsOme.
But when he spoke of going, the ia d.
ther said:
"'Who will chop the wood II thou
shouldst leave me? Who will till the
fields and tend the sheepY"
$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.
I'm sorry. Madge," he blurted, "it's
n silly story and couldn't interest you.
II 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 /
lntlils Apul silN hhle anu
shook her head. and one by one they /
went away. So the princess waited I
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 meanw
In the moonlight her little face was
like n 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"
ooh. Mr.. Prentiss," Bobby-boy. pa
iama-clad and breathless. appeared in
he doorway. I'VE couldn't hear the
rest Of your story. Did they get mar
led and live happily ever afterT
Happily ever after" Ben agreed
solemnly.
Bobby-boy disappeared with a jerk,
md Jeans excited whisper shrilled
through the summer night.
ssRohbvi Aunffe Madre was kissing Z