The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-02-16

just passed. Excitement and the Suf- fcring of others had denied slumber to one and all. even to those who had not
 slept for many days and nights. Now the reaction was upon them. Reiaxa- tion had succeeded tenseness.
 When the grand duke entered the
 great, somber throne room he was confronted by a punctiliously polite 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, your highness," piped Bobby, with a quick glance at Count Halfont. It was a faint, faraway voice that ut tered the gracious command. ''Grau- stark welcomes the Grand Duke Paul 1 I,1s. It is my pleasure to---tO''- A help i less look came into his eyes. He looked everywhere for support. The grand duke saw tl,at be had forgotten the rehearsed speech and smiled benignly as he stepped forward and kissed the hand that had been extended some what uncertainty.
 i My most respectful homage to your majesty. The felicitations of my en- peror and the warmest protestations of friendship from his people," l With this as a prologue he engaged himself in the ever pleasurable task of delivering a long coDgratulatory address. After five minutes of high sounding platitudes he again turned to the prince. It was then that he received his first shock.
 1 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 coughed en- phatically. cleared his throat and grew very red in the face.
 i The court of Graustark was distinct | ly dismayed.
 His majesty appears to have-ahem gone to sleep" remarked the grand duke tartly, interrupting himself to address the prime minister.
 "He is vsiy tired, your excellency." said Count Halfont, very much dis tressed. Pray consider what he has been through during the''- | "Ah, my dear count, do not apologize for him. I quite understand. Ahem! Ahemw Still, he was very red in the face.
 T will awaken him, your excellen- cy," said the prime minister, edging toward the throne.
 'Not at all, sir!' protested the vis-
 itor. Permit him to have his sleep out, sir. l will not have him dis turbed. Who am I that I should defeat the claims of nature? It is my pleasure to wait until his majesty's nap is over. Then he may dismiss us, but not until we have cried Long live the princey"
 For awhile they stood in awkward silence, this notable gathering of men and women. Then the prime minister
 in hushed tones suggested that it would be eminently proper under the circumstances for all present to be seated. He was under the impression that his serene highness would sleep long and soundly.
 Stiff backed and uncomfortab ble, the court sat and waited. No one pre- tended to conceal the blissful yawns that would not be denied. A drowsy, ineffably languid feeling took posses sion of the entire assemblage. The prime minister sat at the foot of the throne and nodded in spite of himself. John Tullis, far back near the wall, had his head on his hand, brave ly fighting off the persistent demon. Prince Dantan of Dawsbergen was sound asleep.
 The grand duke was wide awake. He saw it all and was equal to the oc- casion. After all. he was kindly old gentleman and, once his moment of modification was over, he was not above charity.
 Bobby's poor little head had slipped over to a most uncomfortable position against the arm of the chair. Putting his finger to lips, the grand duke tip toed carefully up to the throne. With very gentle hands he lifted Bobby's head and, infinitely tender, stuffed throne cushion behind the curly head. A splendid smile in his eyes, he tip toed back to his chair.
 As he passed Count Halfont, who had risen, he whispered:
 Dear little man! I do not forget. my lord, that I was once boy. God bless him!''
 Then he sat down, conscious of fine feeling of goodness. folded his arms across his expansive chest and allowed his beaming eyes to rest upon the sleeping boy far back in the chair of state. Incidentally he decided to delay a few days before taking up the bond question with the ministry. The grand duke was not an ordinary diplomat
 In one of the curtained windows, far removed from the throne, sat Truxton King and Lorraine Tullis. All about them people were watch ing the delicate little scene, smiling drowsily at the gfand dukes tender comedy. No one was looking at the two ill the curtained recess. Her hand was in his; her head sank slowly to- ward his inviting shoulder. Her heavy lids dropped lower and lower, refus- ing to obey the slender will that ar gued against complete surrender. At last her soft, regular breathing told him that she was asleep. Awaiting