The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-12-18

the custom In Graustark to discuss
our women in the public drink
ing places" King felt as If he
had received a slap in the face.
He turned a fiery red under his
tan and mumbled some sort of an
apology. 1.-THE countess is pub
lie parsonage, however, and we
may speak of her." went on the
old man quickly, as the American,
in his confusion, called a waiter
to replenish the tankards. The
steely glitter that leaped into the
armourer's eyes at this second
reference to his niece disappeared
as quickly as it came; somehow it
left behind the impression that he
knew how to WELD the deadly
blades he wrought.
I'D like to hear more about
her," murmured Mr.. King. ANY
thing to pass the time away, Mr..
Spantz. AS said before, / jour-
neyed far to reach this land of fair
women, and If there's one to be
seen, I'm properly eager to jump
at the chance. I've been here
two days and I've seen nothing
that could start up the faintest
flutter around my heart. I'm sor-
ry to say, my good friend, that
the women I've seen in the streets
of Edelweiss are not beauties. l
won't say that they'd 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
women of Edelweiss in the streets,
sir"
Don't they ever go out shop
ping?"
Hardly. The merchants. If
you will but notice, carry their
wares to the houses of the noble
and the rich. Graustark ladies of
quality would no more think of
setting foot in a shop or bazaar
than they would think of enter
ing third class carriage. Believe
me, there are many beautiful
women in the homes along Castle
avenue. Noblemen come hun
dreds of miles to pay court to
them"
Just the same. I'm 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
fortress marches in review before
the prince. If you should happen
to be on the avenue near the cas-
tie gate at IL o'clock, you will see
the beauty and chivalry of Grau-
stark. The soldiers are not the
only ones who are on parade. +"
There was an unmistakable sheer
in his tone.
I "You don't care much for soci-
lety, I'd say" observed Truxton,
with a smile.
Spantz's eyes famed for an in
slant and then subtly resumed
their most ingratiating twinkle.
We cannot all be peacocks," he
said quietly. You will see the
prince, his court and all the dis
tinguished men of the city and the
army. You will also see that the
man who rides beside the princes
carriage wheel is an American,
while Graustark mobiles take less
exalted Places"
IAN American, eh?"
Eyes. Have you not heard of
John Tullis, the princes friend ?"
Another seven-year-old?"
Not at all. A grown man, sir.
He, your countryman, is the real
power behind our throne. In his
deathbed, the princes father
placed his son in this Americans
charge and begged him to stand
by him through thick and thin un-
til the lad is able to take care of
himself. AS if there were not
loyal men in Graustark who might
have done as much for their
prince!"
King looked interested. 81 see.
The people, no doubt, resent this
espionage. Is that it,"
Spantz gave him a whitening
look. as much as to say that he
was a fool to ask such a question
in a place so public. Without re-
plying, he got to his feet and
made ready to leave the little
garden.
Il must return / have been
away too long. Thank you, sir,
for your kindness to an old man.
Good day, sir, and"
Hold on! 1 think I'll walk
over with you and have another
look at that broadsword. I'm"
Tomorrow, sir. 1t is past
time to close the shop for today.
Come tomorrow. Good day."
He was crossing the sidewalk
nimbly before King could offer a
word of remonstrance. With "a
disappointed sigh, the American,
sank back in his chair, and
watched his odd companion sour,
ry across the square. Suddenly
he became conscious of a disquiet-l
ing feeling that someone was
looking at him intently from be-
hind. He turned in his chair and
found himself meeting the gaze
of ferocious looking, military
laDDaarinp Iitt1e man at q tahIal
near by. To his surprise, the lit
tie mans fierce stare maintained
it's peculiarly personal intentness