The L'Anse sentinel., 1922-07-21
PRINCESS MOLLIE
BY SUSAN c. soWLEs

- = = = 80
| g. 1884, by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.
Contrary to popular saying about
listeners, Mollie had just overheard
some laudatory remarks about herself.
| Ordinarily she, being scrupulously ex-
acting In all manners of feminine deco
rum, would have scorned the thought
/ Of listening without making her pres
ence known. But one of those mis-
| chievous and inversive impulses which
| seemingly have no explanation, had
| persuaded her to remain and, shudder-
ing at the very thought Of the ugly
word, Mollie inwardly confessed that
she was eavesdroppiag.
Her womanly intuition told her (or
so she fancied) that she was bound to
| hear more agreeable talk and what
woman, even though Knowing 1t to be
wrong, can resist the natural yearning
to hear herself praised? SO there she
stood, apparently riveted to the floor,
two feet from her sisters bedroom
door, which was slightly ajar.
1t was the remarks of Ada, her sis
ter and Miss Grace Sumner, their
guest, which had arrested Mollies at
tention. YES" the listener heard
Grace repeat, I'm sure the prince
loves Mollie."
"But don't you think 1t a bit pre-
sumptuous to assume that he is in
lover countered Ada doubtfully. And
even IL he thinks he loves Mollie," con-
tinued Ada, 1--WE mustn't forget that
all men are tickle. They are the prey
of every pretty face"
"No," replied Grace firmly, as IL to
resent the other girls sweeping indict-
ment, mot this time, anyway. The
prince was quite in earnest when he
spoke Of Mollie's dancing, her high
! marks at school and what not. OF
course, he probably meant to be mere
| ly complimentary, but" And Miss
| Sumner shook her head significantly
/ Mollie felt she had heard enough as,
and remorse, she prudently decided to
withdraw out of hearing.
And now it should be explained that
thcse three fortunate girls had, the
previous evening, been entertained at
an exclusive social by the unaffected
and charming Prince Paul Alberto de
GraZio, young nobleman whose title,
wealth and lineage were proverbial
and the envy of rival aristocracy. And
Alberto, as he preferred to be called,
had shown himself to be q regular
fellow" unspoiled by fortune, station
or name.
Alone In her own room, Mollie sat
down to think it over, and distinctly
recalled that Alberto had been partial
to her. Ada and Grace were dear girls.
of course, and both deserved paragon
husbands. But If the prince chose to
Besides, wasn't there saying
among men that all is fair in love and
war? Any good reason why this sort
of etiquette should exist solely for
men?
1t was while Mollle's mind was In the
confused state Of trying to make a
choice between remaining aloof and ad-
mitting that the chance Of becoming a
princess was worth some effort, that
the telephone rang. Would Miss Mol
lie honor the humble Alberto by ac-
companying him on a drive into the
country? ~
Mollie was eager to accept, but
thought 1t more dignified to decline
first invitation. If Prince de Grazio
should care to call some other time,
and If the weather were suitable, etc.,
etc.
A week later Alberto called by ap-
pointment, and despite the fact that
Mollie had spent the entire day in
preparation for this anticipated call,
she stopped before her mirror and
propped her hair here and there, scru-
tinized her skirt at the ankles and gave
her face final daub.
Alberto led Mollie to his big car and
instructed his chauffeur, and presently
they whirled into the open country.
Mollie shivered as the cool breezes
penetrated her thin waist, and she
found the reflection of the sun on the
windshield annoying. But the gallant
Alberto noticed this and commanded
the driver to stop and adjust the wind
shield, while from beneath the big
cushions a massive fur coat was mag
ically brought forth. Having delicately
helped Mollie into the fur coat, Alberto
gave the word and the journey was
resumed.
But the sun still bothered her, and
she found some difficulty in keeping
the smooth hair of her coat from fly
ing into her mouth. She found 1t i'm
possible to breathe the words princess
Mollie" which sounded so appropri-
ate. Some day
But alas! Mollie suddenly opened
her eyes and found herself in bed, the
sun shining down upon her, while she
was vigorously blowing her loose hair