The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-03-30

number, but would not allow the cir
cumstances to divert my attention just
then from the matter in hand They
produced cigars, and we began to
smoke. The others looked toward
Mortimer as if he were to be spokes-
man, and the American took his time.
He blew up rings of smoke and watched
them until they dissipated themselves
against the ceiling. Presently he asked
me il would give my sacred word of
honor as gentleman to keep secret all
that he might say to me. I assured
him / would. He began to blow up the
rings Of smoke again, and 1 would
have grown impatient, but was con-
vinced that Charles Of England and
Catherine the Great Of Russia were
trying to fiirt with each other from
wall to wall, and my eyes would rest
upon them.
Would you like to be kingY' Nor
timer suddenly asked me.
IL don't know" / replied, sur
prised at his question. "Give me time
to think about it.
was looking just then at Charles 1
and remembered his fate. l felt of my
head doubtfully.
1T doesn't matter" said Mortimer
briefly, ''for we don't mean for you to
have throne. Conway already has a
double mortgage on that place. But If
you stood by us like hero we might
make you prince"
''Ora duke at any rate" said Hughes.
sY0u know I'm to be a prince"
thought Hughes was becoming a
little Jealous of me, and determined
to give him more cause.
If can't be prince" l said, 81
won't be anything. If I'm to join your
party, won't be the lowest in rank"
"Don'tquarrelover questions Of prec-
edence," said Conway. Its bad
form. Both of you shall be princes as
sure as I'm to sit on a throne"
He spoke with great emphasis, and
Charles seemed to wink at me from
the wall. asked again to be initiated,
for as yet had merely the vaguest
sort of notion of their plans.
Its short and sweet" said Conway.
II mean to be king of Hawaii, Nor
timers to be prime minister, and
Hughes is to be commander in chief Of
the army. All arranged. We're tired
/ of being commoners and propose to cut
the old life double quick"
"And pretty little kingdom it will
be, and not so very little either" said
Mortimer as big as Massachusetts or
Wales and nearly as big as Holland or
Belgium, quite enough for small
crowd of good fellows, Is there any
particular place that you wantY
| had several things In mind, but
thought 1t best not to be too hasty, as
Charles l, with the prodigious ruffles
around his throat, continually bobbed
up before me.
Il can wait bit on that" I said.
''But you seem to dispose of the whole
thing in easy fashion. How are you to
become king, Mr.. Conway?'
sBy the easiest and most gentleman
ly of all devices-hy marriage" said
Mortimer, speaking for Conway. "Con-
way Is handsome fellow, with dignity
and grace. Don't blush, Conway. It's
true, and | merely mention 1t in order
tOexplain myself. Though commoner
in England, he has the royal blood Of
the Normans in his veins, and no one is
more fit to be king. The queen Of
Hawaii has no children The heir to
the throne is a very young girl going to
school in Germany. Conway will go
over there, marry her and become
king, and we will be the chief props of
his throne. It will all, be peaceful,
There will be no revolution, Could
there be q finer plot for a erown?"
''The plots all right" said, ebut I'm
not so sure of the execution"
1--WE haven't doubt" replied Nor
timer, tits by great deeds that men
become great. We've arranged all, and
it can't possibly go wrong, can it,
boys?"
Both Conway and Hughes replied
with great emphasis that it couldn't.
They seemed to be In a state of perfect
satisfaction. They leaned their heads
back and calmly blew the smoke Of
their cigars upward, which, take it,
is always evidence of a contented
mind.
''As you say, Mortimer,H remarked
Conway presently, 'tit's pretty king
dom as it stands large enough; not too
large; ideal climate, tractable popula-
ton; no concert of the powers; no east.
ern question to look after; nothing to
do but have good time: most desir-
able throne Iknow of; Mortimer prime
minister; no neighboring countries to
quarrel with; nothing for prime minis
ter to do but have good time; Hughes
commander in chief of army; nobody
to fight; nothing for commander in
chief to do but have good time. Great
plot, by JoveH'
.But what viii you do with the
| whites?" | asked. 'sThere is a large
white population here, you know"
tOh, missionaries and traders and
their sons and grandsonsr said Con-
way. 1--WE won't hurt them. I'll extend
my protecting arm over them, and they
can go ON with their missions and their
trading. My kingdom must have
revenues"
heard a very gentle football in the
hall outside and raised my hand as a
hint for silence. The others listened,
and we heard the football again.
'sGentleme9," said Mortimer, tive are
watched, suspected. We must be eau
tious, or we will lose our heads. There
are spies, eavesdroppers, in the hall.
We will see, and If trouble should coma