The Argosy, October 1906 — page 97: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

at the front. door. foot on the step, to regard her daughter. ~ Where are you going, Evelyn? ”” she asked disapprovingly. ~ “Just riding, mama,” said the Prin- cess with a lightness’ she did not feel. _ Somehow, the Queen always affected everybody in the same way. You felt guilty in her august presence whether | - you were really guilty or not. “ Very well, my child, since you seem to prefer it, but bear in mind that there are seven miles of roads within our place. It will be hardly necessary for you to- ride outside. In fact, I don’t consider it safe for you on the high-road with only Thomas for escort. 3 “Yes, mama,” said the meekly, at the same moment-favoring her _groom with a brief wink which was “meant to assure him that they would do just as they chose. Thomas, being what they call a fairly well- trainee servant, did not return the wink. In fact, he gave the impression of resenting it, for he turned immediate- ly and gave close attention to his mis- tress’s horse, whose saddle-girth appar- ently needed- adjusting. In another moment they were off, can- tering briskly along the hard, shady road, bordered on either side by whet the poet calls “bossy cells,” with just a glimpse of the sheep feeding on the meadow-slope and the great, gray castle rising sharply behind them. | It was very beautiful, and an ordinary person would have counted her cup of joy full, but not so the Princess. Dissatisfaction gnawed at her breast. = What's the use of being a Prin- cess,” she argued to herself, as they drew nearer and nearer to the forbidden gate- way, beyond which she might not go. ‘'There’s no sense in being alive if one can’t do as she pleases on her eighteenth birthday ! Besides, my father said so, and isn’t he quite as important as the Queen: pet _ The Princess ew very well that he wasn’t, but she touched up her horse, Sait the same, and cantered disobediently through the gateway into the hard, white State road. Thomas followed, for there was nothing else for him to do, and : it was useless to epivtalat. Sa af WHEN A PRINCESS FALLS IN LOVE. SS ‘The depot wagon was waiting and the Queen paused, one Princess thing. s Once on the high- -road, however, the — = Princess suddenly altered her tactics. It — was diffitult for a mere groom to follow her royal vagaries. = es From a brisk canter she brought her horse suddenly to a slow walk. Once she pulled out her little watch and examined it critically. though she had planned a rendezvous. Several cars whizzed by them, but none was the Panhard, when suddenly, in the distance, the Princess heard the long, musical wail of a Gabriel horn, and soon descried a huge — car ascending the “difficult Arch Hill. © 7 She knew it instantly for only a few days before she had helped to select. that very car. She -waited at the top of the hill, knowing that the sharp turn at the sum- mit would bring her well into view of the occupant of the car, when he would Z _be going slow, of necessity. One: quick glance told her that it was the one she was expecting, and then the Princess must have had a sudden inspira- tion, for she did a most extraordinary of it. - ae She dug her heel sharply into the side of her unsuspecting little horse, gave a quick tug at the bridle which made him rear unexpectedly, and promptly slip- ping her foot out of the stirrup, she slid | ~to-the ground with a. wild, melodramat- ic shriek, subsiding into a meek, motion-— less heap. It was all accomplished so quickly that the astonished Thomas had barely time to dismount and run to her before the great car came to a full stop at her side, and a very anxious young man jumped out to investigate the extent of — damage he had aased: = Oh, dear, oh, dear!” Princess, as though in great pain. dear, ohn dear, oh, dear!” murmured the Then ‘she fainted and the young man lifted her head upon his shoulder and_ Alarm was — supported her in his arms. written all over his face. “My dear young lady,” fearfully. are hurt, and can’t I do something?” he pleaded The Princess came. to conveniently, and answered him. “TI don’t know, it’s my ankle—no, no, It was almost as IT am almost ashamed to tell “ Please tell me where you = Eomicbooks:. co ’ hoe