autiful; but what
is the use of that, if she has always to sit in the great copper castle
with the many towers? Can I not get to see her at all? Where is my
tinder-box?' And so he struck a light, and whisk! came the dog with
eyes as big as teacups.

"'It is midnight, certainly, said the soldier; 'but I should very much
like to see the Princess, only for one little moment.'"

Here the child shaded his eyes and looked down at the sands of a creek,
quarter of a mile away.

"There they are," he exclaimed, dropping the book and scrambling to his
feet. He waved delightedly to two specks on the sands below. Then:

"Good-bye, Cousin Lallie," he cried. "I'll be home by six," and tore
away down the green slope like a mad thing. But his cousin never
waked. I watched her meditatively.

A skirt of grey-blue tweed, and the fresh white of a blouse beneath a
smart coat to match. Her small grey hat lay on the grass by her side.
Her slim legs were crossed comfortably, and the bright sun lighted a
face at once strong and gentle, clear-cut under its thick black hair,
which was parted in the middle and hung low over each temple. Her
brews were straight, and on the red mouth was a faint smile.

I looked away over the glittering waves. Then I came quietly down,
picked up "Hans Andersen," and took my seat by her side. I found the
place and continued the story aloud:

"And the dog was outside the door directly, and, before the soldier
thought it, came back with the Princess. She sat upon the dog's back
and slept; and every one could see she was a real Princess, for she
was so lovely. The soldier could not refrain from kissing her, for he
was a thorough soldier.."

Here the girl stirred, opened her eyes, saw me, and sat up.

"Who on earth--" she began. "It's all right," said I. "It's only a
fairy tale. Besides, I'm not a soldier, although I don't see--"

"How long has this been going on?"

"Only just begun," said I. "Listen.

"Then the dog ran back with the Princess. But when morning came--"

"Where's Roy?"

"He had to go and join his friends," said I. "Fortunately I happened
to be here to take his place. He asked me to say he should be home not
later than six. Where were we? Oh, I know.

"But when morning came--"

She raised a slim hand for me to stop. Then she clasped her knees and
regarded me with her head on one side.

"A bad end," she said laconically.

"A good beginning, anyway," said I.