The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1910-02-04

Uc Il UuTOueSS.
I'm Graustark, but not in New York.
That reminds me. You'll be more than
a baroness-more than princess.
You will be queen. Don't you catch
the point? You will be Mrs. King"
The Grand Duke Paulus was dis
tinctly annoyed. He had Travelled
many miles. endured quite a number
Of hardships. and all to no purpose.
When dawn came his emissaries re-
turned from the city with the lamen-
table information that the government
had righted itself. that Marlanx's SEN
sational revolution was at an end and
that the regents would be highly hon.
ored If his excellency could overlook
the distressingly chaotic conditions at
court and condescend to pay the cas-
tie a visit.
The grand duke resolved that he
would visit the castle in very in
formal way. extend bis congratulations
and offer his services. which he knew
would be declined with thanks Incl
dentally he would mention the bond
issue; also he would find the oppor-
tunity to suggest to the ministry that
his government still was willing to
make large grants and stupendous
promises if any sort of arrangement
could be made by which the system
might be operated in conjunction with
branch lines of the imperial roads.
And 50 ii was that ut midday he
rode in pomp and splendor through
the city gates, attended by his staff
ana a rather overpowering bodyguard
The grand duke, with all the AFRO
gance of a real parsonage. was late. 1t
was not for him to consider the con-
ditions that distressed the court of
| Graustark-not at all. He was
| grand duke and he would take his own
| time in paying his respects. When he
| finally presented himself at the castle
doors a sleepy group of attendants
actually yawned in his presence.
No one had slept during the night
| Just passed. Excitement and the suf-
| fering 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. RelaXa-
ton had succeeded tenseness.
When the grand duke entered the
great. somber throne room he was
confronted by punctiliously polite
assemblage, but every eyeld was as
heavy rs 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
rcspcctful lines and knelt ut the foot
of the throne,
"Arise. your highnesS," piped Bobby.
with quick glance at Count Halfont.
1t was faint. faraway voice that ut
tered the gracious command "Grau-
stark welcomes the Grand Duke Pau
us. 1t is my pleasure Toto \ help
less look came into his eyes. He looked
everywhere for support. The grand
duke saw that he had forgotten the
rehearsed speech and smiled benignly
as he stepped forward and kissed the
hand that had been extended some
what uncertainty.
MY most respectful homage to your
majesty The Fluctuations of my en-
peror and the warmest proteStatlons
of friendship from his people,
With this as a prologue he engaged
himself in the ever pleasurable task
of delivering q long congratulatory
address After five minutes OF high
sounding platitudes he again turned
TO the prince 1t was then that he
received his first shock.
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 Mt MS
neck. The grand duke coughed EN-
phaticaly. cleared his throat and grew
very red in the face.
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 very tired. your exceliency.