The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-01
Truxton King


promises II any sort OF arrangement
could be mnde by which the system
might be operated in conjunction with
branch lines OF the imperial roads.
And SO II was that ut midday he
rode In pomp and splendor through
the city gates. attended by his staff
and n rather overpowering 5~odyguard.
The grand duke. with all the AFRO
gance Of a real parsonage. was late. 1t
was not for him to consider the con-
ditions that distressed the court of
+ GraHstafk-not Mt ait. He wits n
grand duke and he would take his
time in paying his respects. When be
finally presented himself at the castle
doors a sleepy group of attendants
actually yawned III his presence.
No one had slept during the night
just passed. Excitement and the suf-
fering OF others had denied slumber to
ono and all. evcn to those who had not
slept for many days and nights. Now
the reaction was upon them. Relaxn-
tion had succeeded tcnseness.
When the grand duke entered the
great. somber throne room he was
j
assemblage. but every eyelid was as
! heavy as lead and as prone to sink.
The prince sat far back in the great
chair OF his ancestors. his sturdy legs
sticking straight out in front of him
The grand duke advanced between the
respectful lines and knelt at the foot
of the throne.
arise. yeur h~ighness." piped Bobby.
with a quick glance at Count Halfont
1t was a faint. fnraway voice that ut
tered the gracious command. "Grau
stark welcomes the Grand Duke Pau
lus. 1t is my pleasure Toto A help
less look came into his eyes. He looked
everywhere for support. The grand
| duke saw that he had forgotten the
rehearsed speech and smiled benignly
as he stepped forward and kissed the
hand that had been extended some.
what uncertainty.
my most respectful homage to your
majesty. The Fluctuations of my EN-,
peror and the warmest protestations
of friendship from hts people
With this as a prologue he engaged
himself in the ever pieayurabfe task
Of delivering a long congratulatory
address. After fve minutes Of high
sounding platitudes he again turnec'
to the prince. 1t was then that no
received his first shock.
Prince Robin was sound asleep. His
head was slipping sidewise along the
satiny back of the big chair. and his
chin was very low In the laces at his
neck. The grand duke conghed EN-.
phatically. cleared his throat and grew
very red In the face.
The court Of Graustark was distinct
ly dismay|
His majesty appears to ~have-ahem
gone TO Sleep" remarked b grant
duke tartly. interrupting himself tn
address the prime minister.
HE is very tired. your e~xcellency."
said Count Haifopt, very much dis
tressed. Pray consider what he has
been through during the"-
"Ah. my dear count. do not apologize
for him. l quite understand. Ahem.
Ahem." Still. be was very red In
the face.
II will awaken him. your exceilen-
cy." said the prime minister. edging
toward the throne.
Not at all. sir" protested the Wis
itor. Permit him to have his sleep
out. sir. | will not have him dis
turbed. Who am | that should
defeat the claims of nature? 1t is my
pleasure to wait until his majesty's
nap is over. Then he ma dismiss us.
h.yt mot ,,rttt c-a bn,-a nrt~l 49,
1--we the p~rince""
For awhile they stood In awkward
silence. this notable gathering Of men
and women. Then the prime minister
In hushed tones suggested that 1t
would be e%minently proper under the
circumstances for all present to be
seated. He was under the impression
that his serene highness would sleep
long and soundly.
Suh backed and uncomfortable, the
court sat and waited. No one pre-
tended to conceal the blissfuI yawns
that would net be denied. A drowsy
incffably lnnguid feeling took possess
sion Of the entire assemblage.
The prime minister sat Mt the foot
Of the throne and nodded In spite of
himself. John Tullis. far back near the
wall, had his head on bis hand. brave
" fighting OF the persistent demon.
Prince Dantan Of Dawsbergen was
sound asleep.
The grand duke was wide awake.
He saw 1t all and was equal to the oc-
casion. After all. he was a kindly old
gentleman and, once his moment OF