Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-02-18
a Story of
GrauSfork
GEORGE BARR
M'CUTCHEON


for days and days, like the knights of
Scheherazade in the times Of old, and
came at last to the gates Of Edelweiss.
Not until he sat down to rare din
ner in the historic Hotel Regensetz
was he able to realize that he was
truly in that tabled, mythical land of
Graustark, a quaint, grim little princi-
pality in the most secret pocket Of the
earth's great mantle. This was the
land of his dreams, the land Of his
fancy. He had not even dared to hope
that 1t actually existed.
And now it becomes my deplorable
duty to divulge the fact that Truxton
King, after two full days and nights
in the city Edelweiss, was quite
ready to pass on to other fields, COM
pletely disillusioned in his own mind
and not a little disgusted with himself
for having gone to the trouble to visit
the place.
Where were the beautiful women he
had read about and dreamed Of ever
since he left Teheran? On his soul, he
had not seen half a dozen women in
Edelweiss who were more than passa-
bly, fair to look upon. True, he had to
admit, the people he had seen were OF
the lower and middle classes-the
shopkeepers and the shop-girls, the
hucksters and the fruit venders. What
he wanted to know was this: What
had become of the royalty and the no.
bility Of Graustark? Where were the
princes, the dukes and the barons, to
say nothing Of the feminine concomi-
tants to these excellent gentlemen?
One dingy little shop in the square
interested him. It was directly oppo-
site the Royal cafe, with American
bar attached, and the contents OF its
grimy little windows presented pc
culiarly fascinating interest to him.
They were packed with weapons and
firearms Of ancient design. Once he
ventured inside the little shop. Find
ing no attendant, he put aside his
suddenly formed impulse to purchase
a mighty broadsword.
On several occasions he had seen a
grim, sharp featured old man In the
doorway of the shop, but it was not
until after he had missed the Thurs
day train that he made UP his mind to
accost him and to have the broad
sword at any price. With this object
in view, he inserted his tall frame into
the narrow doorway, calling out Justify
for attention.
What Is it?" demanded sharp, an
cry voice at mis- elbow. He found him.
self looking into the wizened, parch-
ment-like face Of the little old man.
That broad Say, you speak Eng
lish, don't you?"
Certainly" snapped the old man.
why shouldn't I? l can't afford an
interpreter. You'll find plenty Of Eng
lish used here in Edelweiss since the
Americans and British came. They
won't learn our language, so We must
learn theirs"
What's the price Of that old sword
you have in the Window"
Three hundred gavvos."
Whats that in dollars?"
-Four hundred and twenty. 1t is
genuine, sir, and 300 years old. Old
Prince Boris carried 1t. It's most
rare"
"Pn give you a hundred dollars for
ha OF hn ct IN
the open door-"Mr. Spantz."
Il don't want your money. Good
day."
Truxton King felt his chin in per-
plexity. It's too much. I can't af-
ford it," he said, disappointment in his
eyes.
II have modern blades of my own
make, sir, much cheaper and quite as
good" ventured the excellent Mr..
Spantz.
You make 'em?" in surprise.
The old man Strengthened his bent
figure with sudden pride. II am ar
morer to the crown, sir. My blades
are used by the nobility-not by the
army, 1 am happy to say"
II say, Herr Spantz, or monsieur, I'd
like to have a good long chat with you.
What do you say to a mug Of that ex-
cellent beer over in the cafe garden
Business seems to be little dull.
Can't you-er-lock up?"
Spantz looked at him keenly.
May 1 ask what brings you to Edel-
weiss?" he asked abruptly.
II don't mind telling you, Mr.. Spantz,
that Pm here because Pm somewhat
of fool False hopes led me astray.
1 came here looking for romance-for
adventure"
II see," cackled Spantz, his eyes
twinkling with mirth. You thought
you could capture wild and beautiful
princess here just as you pleased,
eh? Let me tell you, young man. only
one American-only one foreigner, In
fact-has accomplished that miracle
Mr.. Lorry came here ten years ago
and won the fairest flower Graustark
ever produced-the beautiful Yetive-
but he was the only one"
mo. I'm not looking for princesses
I've seen hundreds of 'em in all parts
of the world"
You should see Prince Robin" went
on the armorer.
I've heard of nothing but him, my
good Mr.. Spantz. He's seven years
old, and he looks like his mother, and
mes got a jeweled sword and all that
sort of thing l daresay he's a nice
little chap. Got American blood In
him, you see."
The old man retired to the rear OF
the shop and called out to some one
upstairs. A woman's voice answered
My niece will keep shop, sir. while
1 am out" Spantz explained.
They paused near the door until the
old mans niece appeared at the back
n