The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1910-01-25

~
1 TORS and In the saddle. His brain
w.hirled ara 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 N-ely narrative of young
| gentleman's adventures in faraway
Graustark. it, might have become /,
tale of the smart set in New York.
for, as you know. we are bound by
tradition to fellow the trail laid down
by our hero. no matter which way he
elects to fare He confided to his
friend from Cooks that he could nev-
er have forgiven himself II he had ad-
hered to his resolution te leave on the
following day.
II didn't know you'd changed your
mind, SIR" remarked Mr.. Hobbs IN
surprise.
\ "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, Pm going to stop here for a-well,
week or two Where the dickens do
these people keep themselves? !
haven't seen 'em before"
"Oh. they are the nobility-the
swells. They don't hang around the
streets like tourists and rubbernecks.
SIR" in plain disgust.
II say, who Is that just passing
the lady in the victorian King asked
abruptly.
"That is tue Countess Marlanx.'
"Whew! l thought she was the
queen"
Hobbs went into details concerning
the beautiful countess.
81 was just going to ask il YOU know
anything about young woman who
occasionally tends shop for William
Spantz. the arnlorer." King finally
asked.
HOODS looked interested. "She's
quite beauty, sir, give you my
word f'
81 know that. Hobbs But who is
she?"
IT really can't say. sir. She's his
niece, I've heard. Been here a little
over month. think she's from War
saw
"Well. I'll say goodby here. If you've
nothing Oh for tomorrow We'll visit
the castle grounds and--ahem!-takea
look about the place. Come to the no.
tel early. I'm going over to the gun
shop"
He was whistling gayly as he en-
tered the little shop, ready to give a
CHEEKY greeting to old Spantz and to
make him a temporizing offer for the
broadsword. But it was not Spantz
who stood behind the little counter
Truxton flushed holly and jerked off
his hat. The girl smiled.
81 beg pardon" L. exclaimed. a.
I'm looking for Mr.. Spantz. r.
"He is out. Will you watt 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 cumsily 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.
"What's the price," he asked, his
courage faltering under the cool. i'm
personal gaze,
81 do not know. My uncle has. told
you. 1 am quite new at the trade.
1 hope you will excuse my ignorance
My uncle will be here in moment"
She was turning away with an air
that convinced King of one thing-she
was a person who in no sense had
ever been called upon to serve others.
$50 I've heard" he observed. The
bait took effect. She looked up quick
ly. He was confident that startled
expression fitted across her face.
"You have heard? What have you
heard of me?" she demanded.
Mr.. King was inspired to fabricate in
the interest of psy- Gs
chical research.
6: !: !: !: !:
81 have heard X
that you are not F-N T6
the niece of old N~
man SpantZ." He
watched intently N+Fk
! !: 6: {. :: :: :: :: !: :: ::
to catch the effect 4 NJ GESM
of the declara- ! n N,~
ton. VI AAHlUEn
you have heard MIVk\
nothing of the IL 3tuHWvU
kind she said " 4I4vM
coldly. IA n
well, I'll con-
fess l haven't" mI Ii
he ad m lifted "
cheerfully. ut
pleases me to de- ""Ai NAVE ioo
duce that you are Heard of ME-
Dot rpIa tod tO the ormOrar Won don't