The Washington times., 1909-10-21
CHAPTER III (Cont'd).

wv Il Ss Ss:ss S.s, int. a...,..
concerning the beautiful
countess. During the hour and half
of display he pointed cut to King al
of the great persOnsges, giving Baed-
Cker-Iike account of their dOings from
childhood up. quite satisfying that gen
tIeman's curiosity and involving his Gu
pidity at the same time
When at last the show was over
Truxton and the voluble little inter
prefer, whom he had employed Tor the
occasion, strolled leisurely back 10 the
heart Of the town. Something mad come
over King changing the quaint old city
from a prosaic collection of shops and
thoroUghfares into a Verltabie play
ground for Cinderellas and Prince
Charmings- The women, to his startled
imagination, had been suddenly trans
formed from lackadaisiCal drUdges into
radiant personages at whose feet il
would be a pleasure TO Ialls IN whose
defense il would be divine to serve
the men were the cavaliers that had
called TO him from the pages or chtval-
ToUs tales ever since the days or his
childhood. Here were knights and Ia
dies such as he had dreamed OF and
despaired OF ever seeing outside his
dreams.
Hobbs was telling how every one
struggled 10 provide amusement for the
little prince at whose court these al
most neurological beings bent the knee.
Every few days they have royal
troop OF acrobats ID the castle grounds.
Next week Tantora's big circus is 70
give a private performance for him.
There are mar1Onettes and Punch ana
Judy shoaHS, and 81 the dOings of the
Grand GTienOl are beautifully initiated.
The royal baud plays every afternoon,
and ct night some one tells him stories
OF the valorous men who occupied the
throne before him. He rides plays
baseball and cricket sWirns. goes shoot
3ng-and you may take II all from me.
sir he IS already enjoying fencing les
sons with Colonel Quinnox, chief Of the
castle guard MIR. Tullis, the American,
has charge OF hls-YOu might say, MS
education and entertainment They
want 10 make Of him 4 very wonderful
prince So they are starting at the
bottom. Hes quite wonderful little
chap. What say, sir2"
i was just going TO ask II you
know anything about young woman
who occasionally tends shop for WIZ
liam Spantzs the armorer-
Hobbs looks interested. 'She's
quite beauty sir l give you my
7 know that. Hobbs. But who is
she?"
niece, I've heard. Been here a little
over a month. / think she's from
Warsaw"
''weH. III say good-by here. II
you've nothing on FOR tomorrow Wen
visit the Castle grounds and, ahem!-
take a good look about the place.
Come 10 the hotel early. I'm going
over 10 the gunshOp. So long" AS
he crossed the square, his mine full
Of the beautiful women he had seen,
he was saying to himself in wild
strain OF eXhilaratiOn. "Ill bet my
head that girl isn't the nobody she's
setting herself up 10 be- She looks
like these I've just seen. She's got
the marks of a lady. You can't fool
me. I'm going TO find out who sieE is
and-Wel, maybe IL won't be so duh
here, after all II looks better every
minute"
He was whistling gayly as ne en-
tered the little shop. ready to give
CHEEKY greeting 20 old Spantz and to
make him a temporizing oher for the
brOadsWord But il was not SpantZ
who stood behind TIE little counter.
Truxton flushed hOtIy and jerked OF
his hat The girl smiled.
Il beg. pardon. he exclaimed q
I'm looking for Mr.. Spantz-I-'
He is out. VIII you wait? He
viii return in a very few minutes"
Her voice was clear and low, her ac-
Ssnt charming. The smile in her eyes
somenoW struck him az sad, even
fleeing In It's attempt at mirth. AS
she spoke, II disappeared altogether
and an almost somber expression
Thanks. I'll-walt" he said, sud
denly embarrassed She turned to the
window, resuming the wistful, preoc-
cupled gaze down the avenue. He made
pretense Of inspecting the wares on the
opposite wall, but covertIy watched her
out or the corner OF his eyes. Perhaps,
calculated he, II she were attired ln
the gown Of one Of those fashionables
she might rank with the nOblest OF
them in beauty and deiicacy. Her dark
little head was carried with al the
serene pride Of a lady Of quality: her
features were clear cut mobile and
absolutely faWless. He was sure Of
that as his analysis was not as casual
as one might suppose under the ciTcum-
stances. AS matter Of fact he found
himself having what he afterward
called "a very good look at her" She
The longer he looked at the delicate
profile the more fully Was he convinced
that she was not all that she pre-
tended He experienced a thrill Of hope
II she wasn't what she pretended 20 be-
then surely she must be what he
wanted her 10 be-a lady OF quality. In
that case there was mystery. The
thought restored his temerity.
Beg pardon he said, politely saun-
noted that she was taller than he had
thought. and slender She started and
turned toward him with q quick. diff
dent smile. her dark eyes filling with
an unSpOken apology. II wanted TO
have another look at the bToadsWord
there. May ! get II out Of the window
or viii your
Very quickly-he noticed that she
went about II ciumslly despite her sup
heavy weapon from the window and
laid IL upon the counter He was look
ing at her with a peculiar smile upon
lis lips. She flushed painfully.