The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1910-02-25

%ROAAON MIMI Witnessed IlG
E review Of the garrison. That
i'll itself was rather tame eX-
hibitiOn for man who had
seen the finest troops in all the world.
4 thousand earnest looking soldiers.
proud of the opportunity to march be-
fore the little prince. and that was all,
so far as the review was concerned.
Mr.. King saw the court in all Its
glory scattered along the shady Castle
avenue-in carriages, in traps, I'm mo-
tors and I'm the saddle. His brair.
whirled and his heart leaped under the
pressure of new found interest in
life. -~-@
If Truxton King had given up in dis
gust and fed to Vienna this tale would
never have come to light. Instead Of
being the lively narrative of q young
gentleman's adventures in faraway
Graustark, it might have become q
tale of the smart set in New York,
for, as you know, we are bound by
tradition to follow the trail laid down
by our hero, no matter which way he
elects to fare. He confded to his
friend from Cooks that he could new
er have forgiven himself 1f he had adj
hered to his resolution to leave on the
following day. So.
81 didn't know you'd changed your
mind, sir" remarked Mr. Hobbs I'm
surprise. ..s..
''Of course you didn't know it," said
Truxton "How could you? I've just
changed it this instant didn't know
it myself two minutes ago. No, sir,
Hobbs-or is it Dobbs? Thanks. No,
sir, I'm going to stop here forra-wel,
week or. two Where the dickens do
these people keep themselves? II
haven't seen 'em before. "flf g---....,.. d
"Oh they are the nobility-the
swells. They don't hang around the
streets like tourists and rubbernecks.
sir" in plain disgust. = ,. 1881
81 say, who is that just passing
the lady i'm the victorian" King asked
abruptly.
THAT is the Countess Marlanx." o.
"Whev! 4 thought she was the
Hobbs went into details concerning
the beautiful countess. sx
''T was just going to ask IT you Know,
anything about young woman who
occasionally tends shop for William
Spantz. the armorer," King finally
asked. "
HOODS looked interested. "She's
quite O. beauty, sir, give you my
word
~ know that, Hobbs. But who is
she?"
81 really can't say, sir. She's his
niece. I've heard. Been here a little
over a month. 7 think she's from War
saw
We'll. I'll say goodby here. If you've
nothing on for tomorrow We'll visit
the castle grounds and-ahem!-take q
look about the place. Come to the ho-
tel early. I'm going over to the gun
Shop as Ks
He was whistling gayly as he en-
tered the little shop, ready to give a
CHEEKY greeting to old Spantz and to
make him temporizing offer for the
brOadsword. But it was not Spantz
who stood behind the little counter.
Truxton flushed hotly and jerked off
his hat. The girl smiled.
81 beg pardon" he exclaimed Ct
I'm looking for Mr.. Spantz. r.
"He is out. Will you wait" She
turned to the window, resuming the
wistful, preoccupied gaze down the
avenue.
BEG pardon" he said politely. II
wanted to have another look at the
broadsword there"
Very quickly-he noticed that she
went about it clumsily despite her
supple gracefulness-she withdrew the
heavy weapon from the window and
laid it upon the counter.
81 am not-not what you would call
an expert" she said frankly.
whats the price?" he asked, his
courage faltering under the cool. i'm
personal gaze.
~ do not know. My uncle has told
you. I am quite new at the trade.
| hope You will excuse my ignorance.
My uncle will be here in q moment"
that convinced King of one thing-she
was q person who in 10 sense had
ever been called upon to serve others.
80 i've heard, he observed. The
bait took effect. She looked Up quick
ly. IL was confident that startled
expression fitted across her face.
You have heard: What have you
heard CT me?" she demanded.
NH. King was inspired to fabricate in
theinterest Of psy- -
chical research. &ANYx,
Il have heard Mk~ N
that YOU are not f5&&
the niece Of old AA q LAVE
man Spantz." He. W~T III VI
watched intently " N+HE2%
TO catch the effect MI AE4M
OF the declara- SeMW
ton. vi hsMNlIB&
"You have heard MI lEAhlNM
nothing OF the Vim #aWKMVM
kind she said WI IMRHNEN