The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-12-21
s s..I.. K ''TRUXTON KING" Be- lS,:I s.

choked so impressively that there
was monetary doubt as to his
ever getting over it alive.
He is a mountebank-a med
der, that's what he is. The soon
er we come to realize it, the bet
ter" exclaimed the overheated
duke. He has greater influence
over our beloved prince than any
one else In the royal household.
He has no business here-none
whatsoever. His presence and his
meddling is an affront to the in
telligence Of"
But the prince had slid down
from his pile of books and plant
ed himself beside him SO suddenly
that the bitter words died away
on <he old mans lips. Robins
face was white with rage, his lit
tie fists were clenched in desper-
ate anger, his voice was half
choked with the tears of indigna-
ton.
You awful old mani" he cried,
trembling all over, his eyes blaz-
ing. Don't you say anything
against Uncle Jack. Tll-I'll ban
ish you-yes, sir-banish you
like my mother fired Count Mar
lanx out of the country. ! won't
let you come back here ever
never. And before you go I'll
have Uncle Jack give you a good
licking. Oh, he can do it all right.
Il hate you'll"
The duke looked down in
amazement into the flushed,
writing face of his little master.
For moment he was stunned by
the vigorous outburst. Then the
hard lines in his face relaxed and
a softer expression came into his
eyes-there was something like
pride in them, too. The duke, be
it said, was an honest fighter and
loyal Graustarkian; he loved his
prince, and. therefore, he gloried
in his courage. His own smile of
amusement, which broke in spite
of his inordinate vanity, was the
sign that brought relief to the
hearts of his scandalized con-
freres.
Your highness does we'll in
defending a friend and counsel
sellor," he said gently. 81 am sor-
ry to have forgotten myself in
your presence. 1t shall not occur
again. Pray forgive me-"
Prince Bobby was still unap-
peased. 81 could have you be-
headed" he said stubbornly.
Couldn't I. Uncle Caspar?"
Count Halfont gravely inform
ed him that it was not customary
to behead gentlemen except for
the most heinous offenses against
the crown.
The duke of Perse suddenly
bent forward and placed his bony
hand upon the unshrinking shout
der of the prince, his eyes gleam-
ing kindly, his voice strangely
free from its usual harshness.
You are a splendid little man,
Prince Robin" he said. 81 glory
in you. shall not forget the
lesson in loyalty that you have
taught me-"
Bobby's eyes filled with tears.
The genuine humility of the hard
old man touched his tempestuous
little heart.
'It's-it's all right, Du-your
grace. I'm sorry spoke that way,
too"
Baron Dangloss twisted his i'm
perial vigorously. "My lords, ]
suggest that we adjourn. The
prince must have his ride and re-
turn in time for the review at
o'clock"
AS the prince strobe soberly
from the Room of Wrangles, ev-
cry eye was upon his sturdy lit
tie back and there was kindly
light in each of them, bar none,
The duke, following close behind
with Halfont, said quietly:
81 love him, Caspar. But ]
have no love for the man he loves
SO much better than he loves any
of us. Tullis is meddler-but
for heavens sake, my friend
don't let Bobby know that I have
repeated myself"
Later on, the prince in his
khaki riding suit Hoped gaily down
the broad mountain road toward
Ganlock, beside the black mare
which carried John TuIlis. Be-
hind them rode three picked
troopers from the house guard.
He had told Tullis of his vain
glorious defense in the ante-cham-
Der.
"And I told him, Uncle Jack,
that you could lick him. You can,
can't your"
The Americans face was cloud
ed for a second; then, to please
the boy, a warm smile succeeded
the frown.
"Why, Bobby. you dear little
beggar. he could thresh me with
one hand"
"What?" almost shrieked
Prince Bobby. utterly dismayed.
Hes a better swordsman than
I. don't you see. Gentlemen over
here fight with swords. I know
nothing about duelling. He'd get
at me in two thrusts."
Il think you'd better take
some lessons from Colonel Quin-
nox. 1t won't do to be caught
mapping"
81 daresay you're right"
"Say, Uncle Jack, when are yo,
going to take me to the witch s
howell" The new thought
abruptly banished all else from
his eager little brain.
"Some day, soon," said Tullis.