Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-09-09

ENTERTAINED A PRINCE.


TOMMY WOODBURY. went into the
hotel to purchase a 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 .
bristling mustache which reached
slightly upward at the endss His hair
was combed forward above his ears.
The frock coat was European-unde-
niably. It 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 velyety
material, and the pattern was 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 rather wide band,
and the gloves were of pearl-gray and
ribbed with black
One would not have suspected from
the first glance at Rand Burbank that
he was 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.
Hello, Rand. Still in town."
Hello, there, Tommy. Yes, shan't
get away for several days. How's the
boy?"
Quite well, thank 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 mumb,ed 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 acquain ted
with his Chicago friends. He was go
ing to keep Him to himself
Tommy bought his paper and lighted
cigarette. Then he strolled over to
talk to the clerk. He saw Rand Bur-
bank go out sof 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. (He pronounced
it Song-tray) He seems to know Bur-
bank
Il suppose Burbank met him
abroad?'
Il 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
lie to the clerk. "Will you not come and
play billiards with me?''
He had the merest suggestion of a
French accent. 1t was hardly an ac-
cent, but rather precise manner of di-
viding words and bringing out sylIa-
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"
Delighted, my dear sir
Thereupon Mr.. Woodbury. was pre-
scented to Prince de Santre. who too;l
him by the arm and led him away to the
billiard room. Tommy was secretly fat
tered and deeply interested. 1t was IL
privilege to meet member of the no
bility, even through the unexpected
kindness of hotel clerk
The prince proved to be a marvellous
player. He removed the hat, the gloves
and the frock coat and labored master
fully with the balls. Between games he
drank thimbles of vermouth and made
diplomatic excuses to ''Woodburee" for
having won. He talked great deal.
Chicago! All, a great city, yes, But
so noisy-ah! And dirty. Charming
people in Chicago, no doubt. but most
of those he had expected to meet were
out of town. Mr.. Burbank. Charming
fellow! So sincere, so unaffected, so
ah, what you call it?-typically Ameri-
can. But what to dosin Chicago, Nc
boulevards, no cafes, no gayety.
Tommy had been in Paris and he ven
tured 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
''my dear Woodburee." So it turned out
that Woodbury.. in spite of having been
snubbed by the younger Burbank, came
10 know the prince so we'll before tho