The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-02-10

Barr McCutcheon.)
Copyright, 1909, by Dou;i,
Mead & Company. Published
Sept, 19O0.)
The Grand Duke admitted. that
he was at sea, automatically. He
was a fifth wheel, so to speak,
now that the revolution was
over. Not so much as the tip of
his finger had he been able to get
into the coveted pie. There was
nothing for him to do but to turn
round with his five thousand
Cossacks and march disconsolate-
ly across the steppes to an Impe-
rial railroad, where he could en-
bark for home. However, he
would be declined with thanks
and profess his unbounded Joy in
the discovery that Graustark hap
PLY was so able to take care of
herself. Incidentally, he would
mention the bond issue; also, he
would find the opportunity to
suggest to the ministry that his
government still was willing to
make large grants and stipend
GUS promises if any sort of an ar
rangement could be made by
which the system might be operat-
ed in conjunction with branch
lines of the Imperial roads.
And so it was that at noon he
rode in pomp and splendor
through the city gates, attended
by his staff and a rather over
towering body-guard. His excuse
for the early call was delicately
worded. He said in his reply to
the message from the count that
1T would give him great pleasure
to remain for some time at the
Castle, were it not for the fact
that he had left his own province
IN a serious state of unrest; it
was imperative that he should re-
turn in advance of the ever-possi-
Die and always popular uprising
Therefore he would pay his re-
ipects to his serene highness, re-
new his protestations of friend
ship, extend his Fluctuations, and
beg leave to depart for his own
and without delay.
AS he rode from Regengetz Cir
Gus into Castle avenue, a small
knot of American tourists crowd
ed to the curb and bent eager,
attentive ears to the words of a
stubby little person whom we
should recognize by his accent;
but, for fear that there may be
some who have forgotten him in
the rush of events, we will point
to his cap and read aloud: Cook S
Interpreter"
Mr.. Hobbs was saying: "The
gentleman on the gray horse, la
dies and gentlemen, is his high
ness, the Grand Duke Paulus. He
has come to pay his respects to his
serene highness. Now, if you
will kindly step this way, i will
show you the spot where the
bomb was thrown. 'Aving been
an eyewitness to the shocking oc-
currence. 1 respectfully submit
that l." etc. With a pride and
dignity that surpassed all moder-
ate sense of appreciation, he deliv-
cred newly made history unto his
charges, modestly winding up his
discourse with the casual remark
that the prince had but recently
appointed him twelfth assistant
steward at the Castle, and that
he expected to assume the duties
of this honorary position just as
soon as Cook e Sons could find a
capable man to send up in his
place.
The American tourists, it may
be well to observe, arrived by the
first train that entered the city
from the outside world.
The audience was at 2 o'clock.
Prince Robin was in state of
tremendous excitement. Never
before had he been called upon to
receive grand duke. He quite
forgot yesterdays battle in the
face of this most imposing calam-
|ity. More than that, he was in no
frame of mind to enjoy the ex-
element attending the rehabili-
tation of the Castle; oppressed by
the approaching shadow of the
great man, he lost all interest in
what was going on in the Castle,
about the grounds and among
his courtiers,
"What'll I do, Uncle Jack, if he
asks any questions?" he mourned.
They We're dressing him in the
robes of state.
ANSWER EN-" said his best
friend.
"But supposin' I can't? Then
what?"
HE won't ask questions, Bobby.
People never do when a potentate
is on his throne. It's shockingly
bad FORM"
II hope he won't stay long,"
prayed Bobby, grave quicker be-
tween his brows. He was q very
tired little boy. His eyes were
heavy with sleep and his lips were
not very firm.
Count Halfont will look after