The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1906-03-27
TITS HARD AT TIMES TO DO THE
RIGHT THING, BUT IT'S
THE BETTER WAY.

Old Anthony Stone raved up and
down his splendid drawing room.
you in love with a prince?" he
Numbered. You'd show a greater
sense to fall in love with a dust
man! How many letters has he
sent you?"
Twelve" said Margaret in low
voice. "He tells me that he loves
me; he wants to make me his wife"
"And you're idiot enough to lis
ten to such stuff? Now, look the
matter squarely between the eyes.
A month back you and l, and Rod
erick Carroll--whom l mean you to
marry-were in Baronia, on a holi-
day. We made the acquaintance
of a small party of gentlemen. They
Joined us, a day or two later, on a
mountain climbing expedition. One
of 'em paid you so much attention
that Carroll didn't like it, and quite
right, too. There was an accident
on the mountain. You slipped over
precipice. Above you, standing
firm on a rock, was Carroll; be-
low you, swinging like yourself in
space was this-this man I've been
speaking of. All three of you were
roped together. What does the man
do but cut himself loose, thus let.
ting Carroll haul you up. while he,
like a fool, goes down so feet like
a stone!"
"a fool! Oh, father, he saved my
life!"
so you think. But I guess he
knew surely enough he'd fall into
deep snow and be none the worse.
And you let him see how grateful
you are. So far, all's we'll enough.
Then he makes himself known.
Who is he? The prince of Bar
onia!
you will never see him again. 1t
isn't likely that shall take you to
Baronia a second time; while the
ministers of the prince will look
after him, and see to it that he
makes a good and royal alliance.
Why! Well, confound tt"
Margaret rose hurriedly. Her
gaze followed her fathers. A pa
per boy was standing just outside
the house. On his poster, in i'm
mense headlines, were these words:
Mysterious Disappearance of the
Prince of Baronia!
1--WE certainly suspect that he has
come to England, though what his
object is. only the fates know"
1T was an official at the foreign
Office who gave utterance to the
conjecture. He was a friend of
Roderick Carroll, who was question
ing him. The prince of Baronia was
still missing, and Carroll, whose
mind was weighted with suspicion,
was on the watch for developments.
at is an extraordinary business"
went on the official. eff he Is in
England, we hope fervently that the
will leave in safety"
''In safety? What do you mean?"
asked Carroll.
"Simply that there are revolu-
tionists in his country who'd be
glad of an easy opportunity to re-
move him forever"
Carroll went into a restaurant to
lunch. Scarcely had he taken a
seat when a man did the same, con-
fronting him. Carroll looked up.
He was facing the prince himself!
1t was the prince who spoke: do
not mention my name. I saw you,
quite by accident, and followed you
in here. l remembered you direct
ly. You were with Margaret-Miss
Stone-in Baronia."
Carroll nodded, smothering his
chagrin. At another table sat
man with face that was palid as
death-an evil, cruel, dark-bearded
face, in which burned a pair of
fierce eyes that were fixed upon the
prince.
81 came to this country with
single trusted attendant" went on
the prince of Baronia. "Unfortun-
ately he was taken ILL., | like you;
you are gentleman, and purpose
to trust you with a very dear Sc
cret."
Briefly, | love Margaret, who re-
turns my affection, and I am here
to make her nv wife"