The Washington times., 1909-10-18
A STORY OF GRAUSTARK
GEORGE BARR MCCUTCHEON
Copyright 1903. by Dodd, Mead * Co.

and Qiscredited man in his own country
ne sum IS power among people Eign
IN the government OF more than one
empire, The Duke o. Perse realized this
when he compelled mis- daughter to ac-
cepL hlm as her husband. The fair In
SomeCe IS less than twenty-five years
OF age; the Iron Count is fully sixty
She ought to be rescued" was. King S
ohiy comment but there was no mis-
taxing the CLEAN Of interest in his
steady gray eyes.
Rescued?" repeated the old man, with
a broad grin And why? She is mis-
lfeSs OF one of the finest old castles in
austria, SchlOss Marlanx, and she is
quite beautiful enough TO have lovers
Dy The score when the count grows a
little blender and less jealous. She is
IN EdeiWelss at present visiting her
father. The count never comes here
Ike 10 see her if she's really beau
tifuL I've seen but one pretty woman
~ this whole blamed town-your niece,
Herr Spaatz. I've looked EN- over
pteIIy catif eIu'iy' ta2- She IS exceedingly
Pardon me. sir. but it is not the
custom IN Graustark to discuss our
women in the public drinking places. 4"
KING lelt as If lac had received a slap
IN the race. He turned a fiery red under
MS tan and mum bled some sort Of an
apology. The countess is a public per
SoHage, however, and We may speak OF
ner' went on the old man quickly, as
the American in his confusion, called a
waiter 10 Teplenish the tankards The
steely glitter that leaped into the ar
IiOIef eyes at this second reference to
his niece disappeared as quickly as il
came, somehow it left behind the i'm
preston that he knew how to WELD the
deadly blades he wrought.
I'D like to hear more about her"
muFnured Mr.. King. Anything to pass
the time away, Mr.. Spantz AS I said
before, Journeyed far to reach this
land of fair women, and if there's one
1 m aar ~ inn
AT the chance. I've been here two DAYS,
and I've seen nothing that could start
up the fatntest fiutter around my heart.
i m sorry to say, my good friend that
the women I've seen in the streets OF
EdelWeiss are not beauties. ] won't say
mat they stop a clock. but they d
cause It TO lose two or three hours a
day, all right enough"
You will not find the beautiful wO-
men of Edelweiss IN the streets, sir
DON'T they ever go out ShOpping2'
Hardly The merchants, if you will
out nOtlce, carry their wares TO the
houses of the noble and the rich. Graus-
tark ladies Of quality would no more
think Of setting foot in a shop OF baZar
than they would think Of entering a
thlrd-ciass carriage. Believe me. there
are many beautiful women in the homes
along Castle avenue. NOblemen come
hundreds OF miles TO pay court to
them"
''Just the same, Tn disguised with
the place It's not what it's cracked up
to be. Saturday Will see me on my
way
Tomorrow the garrison at the fort
ress marches in review before the
prince. II you should happen to be on
the Avenue near the castle gate at u
O'Clock, YOU viii see the beauty and
chivalry of Graustark- The soldiers are
not the only ones who are on parade"
There was an unmistakable sneer in his
tone.
You don't care much for society, I'd
say observed TTuXton, with a smile
SpantZ's eyes famed for an instant
and then subuy resumed their most in
gratiating twinkle. 1--WE cannot all be
peacOcks," he said, quietly. You will
see the prince, his court and all the
distinguished men Of the city and the
army. You viii also see the man who
rides beside the princes carriage wheel
is an American, while Graustark mobiles
take less exalted places"
An American. eh %
Yes. Have you not heard Of John
Tullis, the princes friend2"
Another seVen-year-Old2 90
Not at all. A grown man, sir. He,
your cOuntryman, is the real power be-