The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-06-28
PRINCESS MOLLIE
BY SUSAN G. eowLEs

Contrary to popular saying about
listeners, Mollle had just overheard
some laudatory reimrks about herself.
ordinarily She, being scrupulously ex-
acting mall manners Of feminine deco
rum, would have scorned the thought
Of listening without making her pres
ence known. But one of those mis-
chieyous and inyerslye impulses which
seemingly have no explanation, had
persuaded her to remain and, shudder-
ing at the very thought Of the ugly
word, Mollle inwRrdy confessed that
she was eayesdropping.
Her womanly intuition told her Cor
so she fancled) that she was bound to
hear more agreeable talk; and what
woman, even though knowing 1t to be
wrong, can resist the natural yearnlng
to hear herself praised? So there she
stood, apparently riyeted 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
tentlon. YES" the listener heard
Grace repeat, I'm sure the prince
loves MollIe."
but don't you think It bit pre-.
sumptuous to assume that he Is in
loyeY countered Ada doubtfully And
even If he thinks be loves Mollie,' con-
tlnued Ada, 1--WE mustn't forget that
all men are tickle. They are the,prey
Of every pretty face"
NO replied Grace firmly rs II 10
resent the other girls sweeping lndict-
ment, moi this lime, anyway. The
prince was quite in earnest when he
spoke Of MollIe's dancing, her high
marks at school and what rot OF
course, he probably meant to be mere
ly complimentary, but" And Mass
Sumner shook her head significantly
Molle felt She had heard enough as.
conscious Of mixed feeling Of shame
and remorse, She pruiently decided to
withdraw out Of hearing.
And now It should be explained that
these three fortunate girls had, the
previous evening been entertained at
an exclusive social by the unaffected
and charming Prince Paul Alberto de
Grazio, a young nobleman whose title,
wealth and lineage were proyerbial
and the envy Of rival aristocracy. And
Alberto as he preferred 10 be called,
had shown himself 10 be a regular
fellow" unspolled by fortune. station
or name.
Alone IN her own room, Mollle sat
down to think It over, and distinctly
recalled that Alberto had been partial
to her. Ada ana GYace were dear girls.
Of course, aud both deserved paragon
husbands But # the prince chose to
Bes,des, wasn't there a saying
among men thnt MI is fair in love and
war? ANY good reason why.thls 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 adj
hitting that the chance OF becoming n
princess was worth some effort. that
The telephone rang Would Miss Mol
Tie honor the hubble Alberto by ae'
complaining him on u drive into the
country?
Mollic was eager TO accept, but
thought II more dignlhcd TO decline a
frs, Invitation II Prince de GruZio
should care TO call some other time,
and II the weather were suitable etc,
etc,
\ week later Alberto called BY op-
pointment, and despite the fact that
Molle had spent the entire day in
preparation for this anticipated call
she stopped before her mirror and
propped her hair here and there, scru
tlnlzed her skirt at the ankles and gave
her face a final dauh.
Alberto led Molne to his big car and
Instructed his chauffeur, and presently
they whirlcl into the open country
Molle shivered as the cool broeze'
penetrated her thin waist, and she
found the reelection of the sun on tbs
windshield annoying. But the gallant
Alberto noticed this and commanded
the driver to stop and adjust the wind
shield while from beneath the hi.
cushions a massive fur coat wns mag
lcally brought forth. Having delicatel!
helped Mollic into the fur coat, Albert,
gave the word and the journey wa
resumed
But the sun Still bothered her, an,
she found some difficulty In keepini
the smooth hair Of her coat from fly
Ing into her mouth. She found It i'm
possible to breathe the words princes
Molllew which sounded so approprI
ate. Some day
But alas! Mollle suddenly opcne
her eyes and found herself in bed, tn
sun shining down upon her, while sh
was vigorously blowing her loose hal
out of her mouth and Juggling ut tn
he'd clothes to cover her exposed shou
dcrs. More exasnerated than Sh
would care to have known, Molli
soothed her anger aud dIsappolntmen
by rolling her pillow into q hig ba
and pounding IT, Then she rolled owe
and vowed TO 60 back to sleep.