CHAPTER XVII.
"THE PRINCESS AND THE PAUPER" It was in the early twilight that Mr.Jack told the story.

He, Jill, and David were on the veranda, as usual watching the towers of Sunnycrest turn from gold to silver as the sun dropped behind the hills.

It was Jill who had asked for the story.
"About fairies and princesses, you know," she had ordered.
"But how will David like that ?" Mr.Jack had demurred.

"Maybe he doesn't care for fairies and princesses." "I read one once about a prince--'t was 'The Prince and the Pauper,' and I liked that," averred David stoutly.
Mr.Jack smiled; then his brows drew together in a frown.

His eyes were moodily fixed on the towers.
"Hm-m; well," he said, "I might, I suppose, tell you a story about a PRINCESS and--a Pauper.