The Prince of Graustark

oming to dinner that evening with Count Quinnox. The Prince, after a few words in private with the Count, changed his mind and accepted Mr. Blithers' invitation with a liveliness that was mis

messenger from the local telegraph office in the village below. He had seen Mr. Blithers approaching in the distance, and, with an astuteness

indly vouchsafed the informat

envelope. Something warned him that if he opened it in the presence of

m a quarter, that bit of gentility, for Mr. Blithers at once said someth

y. I find I have a staggering balance in the bank. The cashier showed me where I had made a mistake in subtraction of an even ten thousand. I was amazed to find what a big difference a little fig

nd his hand, that he would be all right the instant the words ceased to stick in his throat. And

pon that. He sat and listened for the first sound that would indicate the appeasement of beauty, occasionally hitching his chair a trifle nearer to the door in the agony of impatience. By the time Jackson returned from the village with word that

g the chamber. His wife was prostrate on the luxurious couch from which she

she wouldn't be acting in this perfectly absurd manner. Every girl who was

be sure that he said nothing about his proposition to the young man. He merely declared, with a

ust one thing to do. I must go to New York on the midnight train and get her. That woman was all right as a

nce. She is not in active employment. Will. Y

es again. Why is it that so blamed many of y

ke that. I think it would be a fearful mistake for you to go to New York. She would never forgive you and, what is more to

hink, Lou. Just half a chance, tha

Give her free rein and she will not pull against the bit. It may surprise her into doing the sensible thing if we calmly ignore her altogether. I'v

while we just sit tight and say not a word. We'll fool her, by thunder. By to-morrow afternoon she'll be so curious to know what's got into us that she'll come home on a run. You're right

Blithers but by his practised and adroit better-half who had no compunction in ascribing it t

bout her friends, that nothing in the world could have

to have met your daughter,

be here in a day

are leaving to-morr

urmured Mrs. B

ort a very charming visit with Mr. and Mrs. King and to give up the trip to Washington. Lieutenant

from Count Quinnox who was in the middle of a sentence when the interru

s that he is le

fort toward geniality. "He doesn't mean it. W

n Robin hastily. "The papers are to be signed by the Minister of Finance, and a

understands the situat

un

cabinet had sanctioned the loan by cable, completing the transaction so far as it could be completed at this t

to put his signature to a sort of preliminary document which would at least assure me

e no uneasiness, sir. It shall be as you wish. By the way, I understood that your solicitor-your lawyer, I should say,-was to

nd no more. He was thinking too intently of

up, Mr.

What's taking you o

arly six months," said the Count

le for him to come home?

ce, Mr. Blithers, and Prince Robin's presence at the capitol

d of an a

should say, Mr. Blithers." He smiled. "It would in no way impair the credit of Graustark, howe

r announc

and I'll send you down to New York b

did of you. I daresay e

succe

know at once, will you?" Turning to the Prince, he went on: "We can wire down to-night and engage passage f

hange in the Prince's plans. Once under pretext of whispering to Crawford about the wine, Mr. Blithers succeeded in transmitting a que

t week, but nothing came of it, for the Prince resolutely dec

sided. He looked to his wife in desperation. She failed him for

he said, and then gave hi

you want to give me the best that the world affords. But why, oh why, can't you let me choose for myself? I don't object to having a title, but I do object to having a husband that I don't want and who certainly could not, by any chance, want me. You think that I am in love with Channie Scoville. Well, I'm not. I am very fond of him, that's all, and if it came to a pinch I would marry him in preference to any prince on the globe. To-day I met a couple of girls who were at the ball. They told me that the Prince is adorable. They are really quite mad about him, and one of them had the nerve to ask what it was going to cost dad to land him. Town Truth says he is to cost ten millions! Well, you may just tell dad that I'll help him to practice economy. He needn't pay a

we can't get one on the Jupiter, we'll take some other boat that is just as inconspicuous. You see, I want to go on a ship that isn't likely to be packed with people I know, for it is my intention to travel inc

thing for you and dad to do is to come down at once and say goodbye to me-but you are not to go to the steamer! Never! Please, please come, for I

their cherished idol. Then came the deep breath of relief over the apparent casting away of young Scoville, followed by an angry snort when Maud repeated the remark of her girl friend. His dismay was pathetic while Mrs. Blithers was fairly gasping out Maud's determination to go abroad, but before sh

he exclaime

ll!" sh

tter! Luck is with m

me, what are yo

ad, she goes abroad. See? Same ship. See

hild to go abroad," wai

nnot

er assumed names. They see each other on deck. Mutual attraction. Love at

of girl to take up wit

er. She'd balk at the gang-plank and that would be the end of it. She must not know that he is on board. Now, here's the idea," and he talked on in a strangely subdued voice for fifteen minutes, his enthusias

in the observation coach but who had to get out, whether or no, when Mr. Blithers loudly said it was a nuisance having everything on the shady side of the car taken "on a hot day like this." He surreptitiously informed the condu

earth for an interview, now that he had become a person of so much importance in the social world. Indeed, his indentity was to be more completely obscured than at any time since he landed on American soil. He thanked Mr. Blithers for his offer to comma

man and the wofully ordinary suit of clothes worn by the Count, was sufficiently caustic, and he

spect you of being one of the richest men in America?" She sent a disdainful glance at his baggy knees and b

e would have given a great deal to know what was back of it. The "luggage" was attended to by the admirable Hobbs, there being no sign of a Red Roof servant about the place. Moreover, there seemed to be considerable uneasiness noticeable in the manner of the two foreigners. They appeared to be unnecess

obin and the Count made off in a taxi-cab, smili

, Prince?" asked Mr. Blithers, plainly irritated by the young man's ob

r office at eleven t

his hat in his hand. He

Bli

ier. "A prince of royal blood hadn't ought t

know you, Mrs. Blithers. I trust we may meet again. If you should ever come to Graus

Both the Prince and Count Quinnox bo

l figures moved off with the throng. Then to his wife: "Now to find out what ship they're

to find out what ship M

that she is the

stantly. "I must be getting

enly inquiring: "What did you mean when you said to him on the train: 'Better think

s looked st

nswering the first que