Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-08-26
A PRINCE.
TOMMY MooDRI1RY vent into

TOMMY WOODBURY. went into the
hotel to purchase copy of Town
Scandal" and he saw Rand Burbank
standing near an onyx column con-
yersing with a man of unusual appear
ance
The stranger was swarthy, with .
brlstIing mustache which reached
slightly upward at the ends. His hair
was combed forward above his ears.
The frock coat was European-unde-
niably. 1t was swollen above the waist
and square at the shoulders. On the
broad lapel was a spray of white flow
ers. The trousers were of some velvety
material, and the pattern was a check
OF black and white. An Englishman
might have worn the frock coat, but
only a Frenchman or an italian would
have dared to appear with the trousers.
The silk hat had a rather wide band.
and the gloves were of pearl-gray and
ribbed with black.
The man who was conversing with
Rand Burbank would have attracted
curious attention anywhere in the
United States except, possibly, in Fifth
avenue, New York, where the passion
for European garments is remarkable.
His attire was in direct contrast with
that of the younger Burbank, who wore
a fuzzy business suit, with the coat
very short, tan shoes and a roughly
braided straw hat.
One would not have suspected from
the first glance at Rand Burbank that
he was a millionaire in fact and multi
millionaire in prospect, and that he
was one of the rulers of the indefinite
body which called itself "the best So
ciety." Tommy Woodbury. knew all
this, however, and it was one of his
chiefest prides that he could claim the
younger Burbank as a friend.
Tommy walked over to speak to
Rand, and his real object in doing so
was to be presented to the stranger.
He knew that if the younger Bur
bank had called at the hotel to meet
any foreigner of aristocratic bearing
and irreproachabIe clothes that for
eigner must be worth meeting.
Hello, Rand. Still in town."
"Hello, there, Tommy. Yes. shan't
get away for several days. How's the
boy?"
quite well, Inank you.
There was an embarrassed pause
The lordly person with the foreign
clothes smoothed his gloves and looked
at the front door. The younger Bur-
bank mumbled at something to say
and Tommy, perceiving that he was
not to be presented, smiled a mean
ingless smile and passed on to the news
stand. He was exceedingly warm and
somewhat indignant. 1t was evident
that Rand Burbank did not choose to
make the foreign person acquainted
with his Chicago friends. He was GO
ing to keep him to himself.
Tommy bought his paper and lighted
q cigarette. Then he strolled over to
talk to the clerk. He saw Rand Bur-
bank go out of the front door. The
stranger lounged to front window.
who's the fellow talking to Bur-
bank?" asked Tommy, after he and
the clerk had passed the usual pleas
antries.
isn't he swell, though? That's the
prince"
"For a fact?"
"Prince de Santre. CHe pronounced
it Song-tray.) He seems to know Bur-
bank"
at suppose Burbank met him
abroad?"
ST don't know. They dined together
in the princes apartments last even
ing. Look outi"
The prince came to the desk, hum
ming little tune.
another day and nothing to do" said
he to the clerk. ''Will you not come and
play billiards with me?"
He had the merest suggestion of a
French accent. It was hardly an &C
cent, but rather precise manner of di-
viding words and bringing out sylla-
bles.
I'm sorry, but can't get away from
here" replied the clerk. MAY pre-
sent a friend of mine? He may wish to
play"
'sDelighted, my dear sir"
Thereupon Mr.. Woodbury. was pre-
sented to Prince de Santre, who took
him by the arm and led him away to the
billiard room. Tommy was secretly fat
tered and deeply interested. 1t was a
privilege to meet a member of the no
bility, even through the unexpected
kindness of a hotel clerk.
The prince proved to be marvellous
PLAYER. He removed the hat, the gloves
and the frock coat and labored master
fulIy with the balls Between games he
drank thimbles of vermouth and made |
d;plomatic excuses to ''Woodburee" for
having won. He talked a great deal.
Chicago! All, great city, yes! But
so noisy-ahl And dirty! Charming |
people in Chicago, no doubt, but most
of those he had expected to meet were |
ont of town. Mr.. Burbank Charming |
fellowl So sincere, SO unaffected, So
ah, what you call it?-typically Ameri- |
can. But what to do in Chicago! No |
no cafes, no gayety.
Tommy had been in Paris and he VEN
tured a little French. The prince was |
delighted. 1t was like a breath from |
the leafy Champs Elysees. They must
dine together.
Before the dinner was over it was /
Gmv dear Woodburee-" So it turned out |
that Woodbury., in spite of having been
snubbed by the younger Burbank, came
40 know the prince so well before the
evening ended that he had planned
dinner party at the club and the prince
had graciouzly consented to meet
three or four fellows who aren't half
bad, you know"
Tommy invited his most intimate
friends
..Prince de Santre is in town-devil of