The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-10-24
A STORY OF GRAUSTARK
GEORGE BARR MCCUTCHEON
Copyright, 1909. by Lodd. Mead & Co.

Copyright, 1903, BY Lodds Mead & Co.
! instant 4 thought you were goins
- shall" affirmed Bobby. manfuny
resuming his ground shes coming
up the path. Don't rum" he exclaimed
sCornfully, as TruxtOn started for the
rocks. 'She can't hurt you She's only
a girl"
'7AH right won't rum" said the
bis culprits who wished he had the
power 10 fly.
And there's saffo and Cors over
there watching US, too We're caught
/ IN sorry, mister.
on the opposite bank of the pool stood
two rigid members of the royal guard
lntently watching the fishers by the fact
that their t1fles were IN a position &c
be used at an instanSs notice. He felt
himself turning pale as he thought OF
what might have hs ppened If ne had
taken TO flight.
tiimsy panama hat tilted well over mel
nose, with a red feather that stood
erect as If always in a state of surprise
turned the bushes and came to a stop
almost at Kings elbow. He had time
TO note, in his confusion, that she was
about shOulder-high alongside him, and
that she was staring up into his face
with amazed eyes. AfterNsIrd he was
10 realize that she was amazingly pretty
that her teeth were veTy white and
I even, that her eyes were tn most beau
tiful ana expressive he had ever seen,
that she was slender and impeTlOus ana
that there were dfmpleS in her cheeks
so fascinating that he could not gather
sufficient strength Of purpose to with
draw his gaze from them. OF course
he did not see them ut tie outset. she
was not smiling, so how could he?
The prince came to the rescue. This
Is my Aunt Lorraine, MIMI" he
swallowed hard and loked helpless
KING supplied TTuXtOn, 'TruNtOn
King, your highness," Then, with all
the courage he could produce, he said
to the beautiful lady I'm as guilty
as he See" He pointed ruefully To
the four goldfish which he had strung
upon wire grass and dropped into the
edge Of the pool
She did not smile. Indeed, she gave
him very severe look How cruel"'
she murmured. Bobby, you deserve a
sound spanking. You are a very
naughty little boy She spoke rapidly
in French.
also In French. Here was reaCheTyi
TruXton delivered himself OF some
French. ooh, ] say, your highngss. you
said you'd pardon me if ] were caught. -
I cant pardon you until you are
found guilty" said the prince in Eng
lish.
Please put those poor little things
back in the pool. Mr.. King" said the
lady IN perfect English.
"Gladly-with the princes permis-
4
prince looked glum, but interposed no
Imperial objection. Instead he suddenly
showed the cigarette box under the nose
OF his dainty relative, who at that un-
prOpitious instant stopped over to watch
King awkward attempt TO release the
fishes.
Look at the worms" said the prince
engagingly, opening the box with a
snap.
oh" cried the young lady, starting
back. Throw them away, the horrid
things!"
"Oh. they can't bite" sconed the
Look at this one" He held up a wrig-
gler and she fed to the rock. She hap
pened to glance at TrUXton's averted
face and was conscious of d broad grin;
/ whereupon she laughed in the quick
staccato Of embarrassment.
It must be confessed that Kings COM
posuTe was sorely disturbed. In the
first place. he had been caught in a
most reprehensible act, and in the sec
ond place, he was not quite sure that
the prince could save him from igno-
minlOus expulsion under che very eyes
and perhaps direciOn-,nf this trim
and attractive member Of the royal
household He found himself blunder-
ing fOOlishly with the fishes and Won
derlng whether she was a duchess or
just a plain countess. Even a regal
parsonage might jump at the sight OF
angle worms, he reflected.
He glanced UP, to md her studying
him, plainly perpieEed.
Il just wandered in here" he began
guilty. THE prince captured me down
there by the big tree"
did you say your name is Truxton
King" she asked, some7v let skepti-
caily.
Yes, your-yes, ma'ahn," ae replied.
cot New York"
Your father is Mr.. Emerson King?
Are you the brother of Adele King?"
TruXton stared Have you been in
terviewing the pOlicer' ne asked before
he thought.
1.-The police? What have You been
6oing2" she cried, her eyes narrowing.
Most everything. The police know
all about me I'm spotted character.
i thought perhaps they had told you
about me-
Il asked If you were Adele's brother. 20
I'VE heard her speak Of her brother
TruXton. She said you were in South
He stared the harder Could he be-
lieve his earsy
She was regarding him with cool.
speculative interest II wonder If you
.I think I am" he said. but doubt
fully. Please pardon my amaZement.
Perhaps I'm dreaming At any rate,
I'm dazed.'
1--WE were IN the convent together for
two years. Now that 1 observe you
closely, you do resemb her. We were
very good friends, she and l."
'Inen you II inLesCeue loI me ne
urged, with a fervent glance in the
direction Of the wall
She smiled iOyOusly. He realized then
and there that he had never seen such
beautiful teeth. nor any creature so
radisntIy beautiful for that matter
More than that she SAID, 4 shall
assist YOU 20 escape Gomez
He followed her through the shrub
berry his heart pounding violently The
prince, who trotted on ahead, had men
Toned q count Was she married2 Was
she of the royal blood What extraoT-
binary fate had made her the friend of
his sister, He looked back and saw the
two guardsmen crossing NE ordse be-
low. their eyes still upon him.