The Little Colonel's Hero Part 15

"All but the ogre," said Betty.

"Joe Clark is the very one for that," exclaimed Lloyd. "He is head and shouldahs tallah than all the othah boys, although he is only fifteen, and his voice is so deep and gruff it sounds as if it came out of the cellah.

We can stop and ask him if he'll take the part."

"Invite him to come down to the reading of the play, too," said Mrs.

Walton. "I'll look for you all promptly at four."

Betty almost lost her courage that afternoon when she saw the large group waiting for her under the beech-trees on Mrs. Walton's lawn. Mrs.

MacIntyre was there, fresh and dainty as Betty always remembered her, with the sunshine flickering softly through the leaves on her beautiful white hair. Miss Allison, who, in the children's opinion, knew everything, sat beside her, and worst of all, the younger Mrs. MacIntyre was there; Malcolm's and Keith's mother, whom Betty had never seen before, but of whom she had heard glowing descriptions from her admiring sons.

Lloyd pointed her out to Betty as they drove in at the gate. "See, there she is, in that lovely pink organdy. Wouldn't you love to look like her? I would. She's like a queen."

Betty sank back, faint with embarra.s.sment. "Oh, G.o.dmother!" she whispered.

"I know I can't read it before all those people. It will choke me. There's at least a dozen, and some of them are strangers."

Mrs. Sherman smiled, encouragingly. "There's nothing to be afraid of, dear. Your play is beautiful, in my opinion, and every one there will agree with me when they've all heard it. Go on and do your best and make us all proud of you."

There was no time to hesitate. Keith was already swinging on the carriage steps to welcome them, and Malcolm and Ra.n.a.ld were bringing out more chairs to make places for them with the group under the beeches. n.o.body mentioned the play for some time. The older people were busy questioning Mrs. Sherman about her summer abroad, and Malcolm and Keith had much to tell the others of their vacation at the seash.o.r.e; of polo and parties and ping-pong, and several pranks that sent the children into shrieks of laughter.

In the midst of the hum of conversation Betty's heart almost stood still.

Mrs. Walton was calling the company to order. Coming forward, she led Betty to a chair in the centre of the circle, and asked her to begin. It was with hands that trembled visibly that Betty opened her note-book and began to read "The Rescue of the Princess Winsome."

CHAPTER XIII.

"THE RESCUE OF THE PRINCESS WINSOME"

AN ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE RED CROSS

CHARACTERS

King Rob Moore.

Queen Allison Walton.

Prince Hero Keith MacIntyre.

PRINCESS WINSOME Lloyd Sherman.

Knight Malcolm MacIntyre.

Ogre Joe Clark.

Witch Kitty Walton.

G.o.dmother Elizabeth Lloyd Lewis.

Frog-eye Fearsome Ra.n.a.ld Walton.

t.i.tania Elise Walton.

Bewitched Prince HERO, THE RED CROSS DOG.

Chorus of Fairies.

{Morning-glory.

{Pansy.

Flower Messengers {Rose.

{Forget-me-not.

{Poppy.

{Daisy.

ACT I.

SCENE I. In the Witch's Orchard. Frog-eye Fearsome drags the captive Prince and Princess to the Ogre's tower. At Ogre's command Witch brews spell to change Prince Hero into a dog.

SCENE II. In front of Witch's Orchard. King and Queen bewail their loss.

The G.o.dmother of Princess promises aid. The Knight starts in quest of the South Wind's silver flute with which to summon the Fairies to his help.

ACT II.

SCENE I. In the Tower Room. Princess Winsome and Hero. G.o.dmother brings spinning-wheel on which Princess is to spin Love's golden thread that shall rescue her brother. Dove comes with letter from Knight. Flower messengers in turn report his progress. Counting the Daisy's petals the Princess learns that her true Knight has found the flute.

ACT III.

SCENE I. In Witch's Orchard. Knight returns from quest. Blows the flute and summons t.i.tania and her train. They bind the Ogre and Witch in the golden thread the Princess spun. Knight demands the spell that binds the Prince and plucks the seven golden plums from the silver apple-tree.

Prince becomes a prince again, and King gives the Knight the hand of the Princess and half of his Kingdom. Chorus of Fairies.

ACT I.

SCENE I. _Witch bends over fire in middle of orchard, brewing a charm in her caldron. Ogre stalks in, grinning frightfully, swinging his bludgeon in triumph._

_Ogre._ Ha, old witch, it is done at last!

I have broken the King's stronghold!

I have stolen away his children twain From the clutch of their guardsmen bold.

I have dragged them here to my castle tower.

Prince Hero is strong and fair.

But he and his sister shall rue my power, When once up yon winding stair.

_Witch._ Now why didst thou plot such a wicked thing?

The children no harm have done.

_Ogre._ But I have a grudge 'gainst their father, the King, A grudge that is old as the sun.

And hark ye, old hag, I must have thy aid Before the new moon be risen.

Now brew me a charm in thy caldron black, That shall keep them fast in their prison!

_Witch._ I'll brew thee no charm, thou Ogre dread!

Knowest thou not full well The Princess thou hast stolen away Is guarded by Fairy spell?

Her G.o.dmother over her cradle bent "O Princess Winsome," she said, "I give thee this gift: thou shalt deftly spin, As thou wishest, Love's golden thread."

So I dare not brew thee a spell 'gainst her My caldron would grow acold And never again would bubble up, If touched by her thread of gold.

_Ogre._ Then give me a charm to bind the prince.

Thou canst do that much at least.