Show sak The Fiction A PRINCE CAN LAUGH Richard H H. H By Wilkin Corner II WEEK after I established residence residence residence resi resi- A dence in Sea Seabrook b roo k Ray Quimper my next door neighbor took time oIl off to drive me around the town and show me the points of interest Toward evening he stopped stopped stopped stop stop- ped his car before a driveway that led up to a huge brick house on top of Drybridge Hill It was the only brick building in town and could be seen for miles around I had wondered about I it since the day 3 Minute I of my arrival t Fiction I The home of I P Prince r i nee Alexander Alexander Alexander Alex Alex- ander he explained I looked at him curiously sensing that this was a proud moment for Ray He had saved the brick house until last like a child relishing the thelast thelast last morsel Of course Ra explained further he has a city home too But the fact is he be spends the greater part of hi his time out here He craves solitude Are you sure I mean wouldn't it be fitting to let Iet the man know youre you're glad gIad to have him as a citizen citizen citi citi- zen Weve tended to that Ray said importantly Three days after his arrival a committee made up of leading citizens waited on the prince and extended him a formal welcome He regarded me sagely Were smart enough not to antagonize antagonize antagonize an an- the man by pestering him to death On the day of I write I was removing the storm windows from my house for was near and the day was bright and warm The prince came strolling along my street and stopped oddly enough at the end of my drive to watch I perceived him from the corner of my eye though gave no indication that I had seen After a moment or two much to my satisfaction he turned in at the drive and came slowly toward m me At this fuis precise moment th the stepladder on which I Iwas Iwas Iwas was standing tilted precariously and the window I was removing threatened threatened threat threat- ened to tumble to the ground I uttered a cry of alarm turned perceived the prince as asIf asIf asU If U for the first time and shouted to him for aid ald Involuntarily he leaped forward and steadied the I ladder a add d d e r until I had de de- de Phew I grinned That was a close call It It was indeed he replied Would you mind holding the ladder ladder lad lad- adder ad- ad der for me on this fuis window over here He seemed a little littIe surprised sur sm- but agreed to lend his as as- He proved as good a helper as I could have havo asked for Three windows I removed while he be steadied the ladder and helped me inc lower them em to the ground We chatted amiably about the weather I PRESENTLY the task was done 1 and I turned to him grinning grinding Thanks a lot Jot I dont don't know how bow I would have managed without you yon Really He seemed to appreciate ate my compliment Frankly Ive I've enjoyed it not only the work but our little visit He hesitated You are new in town arent aren't you Comparatively I said Its a nice town Folks are all like yourself Ready and willing to lend a hand when help heIp is needed I smiled happily The fact that I know your name Prince Alexander Alexander Alexan Alexan- der proves a little theory of my own O He stared In astonishment You know who I am You 5 knew when you asked me t U it t i c help heIp remove the i c cI I nodded Your philosophy i a a amine I mine have a good deal deaI In c conns coan t I Prince And that Is Ii that yourt youre different from the rest o ol of us M. a fd even venture to say aay that yo yoa I i 11 quite unhappy living up then there li your castle so far removed ti J i l everybody To prove that 11 Ii i lei right Im I'm going to ask you a q qs 3 s tion Tomorrow Im I'm going fi 3 a How would you like to come ah alai Id like to very much he But we must keep it a secret to I Ithe the rest of the people It I Ia a pity to destroy their Illusion r rI t I agreed winking at him ka h and the prince and I and there shared a hearty lai 13 lasit I rI H |