The Washington times., 1909-10-18

hind our throne On his deathbed the
princes father placed his son in this
Americana charge and begged him TO
stand by him through thick and thin
until 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 prtnce!"
King looked interested. Il see. The
people, no doubt, resent this espionage.
Is that it?'
Spantz gave him with ertng look as
much as to say tIat he was a fool to
ask such a question in a place so public
Without replying, 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,
Hold on! 1 think I'll walk over with
YOU and have another look at that
broadsWord. I'm"
Tomorrow. sir. It's past time to
close the shop for today Come tomor-
row. GCOd-day."
He was crossing the sidewalk nimbly
before King could offer word OF re-
mOnstTance. with disappointed sigh,
the American sank pack in his chair
and watched his odd companion sCurry
across the square. Suddenly ne became
conscious Of disquietlng feeling that
some one was looking at him 1ntently
from behind He turned in his chair
ana found himself meeting the gaze Of
a ferocious locking, military appearing
little man at table near by To his
surprise the little mans fierce stare
maintained its peculiarly per-onal in
tentness until he, himself, was COM
PEELED to withdraw his own gaze IN
some little confusion and d1spleasure.
His waiter appeared at his elbow with
who the devil is that old ran at
the table there?' demanded young Mr..
King, loudly.
The waiter assumed a look of ez-
IRENE insOleuce. That is Baron Dan
gloss, minister Of police. Anything
more, siF2'
me for2 Does he think I'm a pick
pOcket2'
You know as much as I. cir" was
all that the waiter said in reply. King
pOcketed the coin he had intended for
the fellow, and deliberately left the
place. He could not put off the feel
ing, however. that the intense stare OF
Baron DanglOss, the watchdog e the
land. followed him until the corner Of
the wall interviewed. The now incAnsed
American glanced involuntaTily across
the square In the direction of Spantz
shop. He saw three mounted soldiers
ride up to the curb and hail the armorer
as he started TO close his doors. AS he
sauntered across the little square his
gaze suddenly shifted TO a second-story
window above the gun-shop.
The interesting young woman hat
cautiously pushed open one Of the shut
tiers and was peering down upon tce
trio of relocated guardSmen- Almost
at. the same instant her quick, eager
gaze fell upOn the tall American, now
quite close tn the horsemen. He saw
her dark eyes expand as If with sur
prise. The next instant he cauEhE his
breath and almost stopped in his ira cSs-
shy. impulsive smile played about
her red lips for a second, lighting up
the delicate face with a radiance that
amazed him. Then the shutter was
closed gently. quickly. His first feeling
of elation was followed instantly by the
disouieting impression that it was a
mocking smile of amusement and not
one of inviting frien1liness. He felt
his ears burn as he abruptly turned off
to the right. for. somehow, he knew
that she was peepiEg at him through
the blinds and that something about his
tall. rangy figure was appealing 20 her
sense of he ridiculous
You viii see at once that TTuXtOn
King. imaginative chap that he was,
had pounCed upon this slim. attractive
young woman as the only plausible
heroine for his prospective romance.
and, as such, she could not be guilty
of forWardness or lack OF dignity. Be
sides first impressions are always good
ones: she had struck him at the outset
as being a girl OF rare delicacy and
refinement.
In the meantime. Baron Daugloss was
watching him cOvertly from the edge Of
the cafe garden across the square.
The Continuation of This story VIII
BE Found In TOmOFrow's
Issue of The Times.