Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1910-08-26

Caleb, Il wouldn't "a brought up the
subject if | was you. Say, Blanche, if
you're too timid to make suggestion,
how'll this strike you? I'll Gouble
your present allowance-$50,0 900
year, eh?"
"Impossible." gasped d'Antri.
Not on your life." retorted Caleb.
81 could double that and never feel it.
Don't you worry about me not being
able"
But ! cannot consent to"
who's asked you to? It's to be her
cash, amt it? Not yours. | don't
think you come in on this scene at
all, Prince. 1t seems to be up to me
and Blanche. And"
"Oh, youll never understand"
cried Blanche in despair. For the
daughter of a man of your means, and
the social position | am tc occupy as
Princess d'Antri my dot should be at
least"
Hold on" interposed Caleb. 81
think | begin to see. L"
You don't see,' contradicted his
daughter, pettishly; I'm have to eX-
plain It"
NO, you won't. If | couldn't under
stand things without waiting to have
'em explained, I'd still be braking at
$40 Il month. ASH take it. this prince
party meets you in Iurrup, hears your
father is the Caleb Conover-an old
fool of an American with a pretty
daughter to place ON the nobility mar
ket-and you make your bid. You
marry him and he's so sure of his
ground he don't even hold out for an
ante-weddding bonus. He chases over
here with you, and when he don't find
the dowry or whatever else you call
it, waiting for him at the dock, he
makes bold to ring the cash register"
The prince was on his feet.
Il cannot consent, sir, to listen to
such -
"Oh, yes, you can. I've heard of
your sort But | somehow thought
they were all counts. l didn't know
exactly how a prince stood; but |
supposed the job carried an income
with it. 1t seems you're just in the
count class. after all The kind of
man that loafs about Yurrup living on
the name of some ancestor who got
his title by acting as hired man to
his king or emperor or whoever ruled
his tWO-fora-Quarter country. The
sort of man that does nothing well
enough to keep him in pocket money.
Then some lookout makes the high
sign, 'Hairess in sight, and /"
Blanche burst into tears. Her hus-
band throw his arm about her shOul-
ders in assiduous, theatrical fashion,
while Caleb sat snawing his unlighted
cigar and grimly eyeing the couple.
There. there. carissima mia!"
soothed d'Antri, your father knows
no better In this barbarous country
of his there are no leisure classes
/"
You bet there are!" snorted Caleb
only, here We call 'em tramps. And
we give 'em thirty days instead of
our daughters. Here, stop that
damned snivelling, Blanche! You
know how / hate it, I'm stung all
right, and it's too late to squeal. The
only time there's any Use in crying
over split milk is when there's a soft
hearted milkman cruising around
within hearing distance, And from
where | sit, | don't see any such rush
ing to my help. You'll get your dot
all right Just as you knew you would
before you put up mat whimper.
Wen fix up the details when I've got
more time on my hands.
only. l want you and me and this
prince-feller of yours TO understand
each other, clear. Pm letting myself
be bled for a certain sum, because I've
croWed so loud about your being
princess that ! can't hack down now
without raising a laugh and without
spelling all I've planned to get by
this marriage. Besides I'm going to
run for governor, and | don't want
any scandal or dramatic separation
for lack of cash coming from my own
family. I'm caught fair, and I'll pay
But ! want us three to understand
that it's straight blackmail, and that
/ pay it just as I'd pay to have any
other dirty story hushed up. Thatll
be all to-day. If you want some read
ing matter, Irlnce, mere paper with
a list of the liners that sail for Yur
rup next week Nothing personal in
tended, you know. Good-by."
but, papa" began Blanche, who,
like d'Antri, had listened to this ex
ordlum with far less natural resent
ment than might have been looked for
"Thatll be all. | said repeated
Conover. You win your point. Clear
out! I'm busy"
The princess knew Caleb too we'll
to press the victory further. She tear
fully left the room. d'Antri following
in her wake. At the door the latter
paused, his long white fingers toying
with his silky beard.
Sir" he said, you may be assured
that | shallmever forget your generos-
itV even though il is cOlched in such