Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1910-04-27

review of the garrison. That
1 in itself was rather tame ex-
hibition for a man who had
seen the finest troops in all the world.
A thousand earnest looking soldiers,
proud Of the opportunity to march be-
fore the little prince. and that was all,
so far as the review was concerned.
Mr.. King saw the court in all its
glory scattered along the shady Castle
Rvenue-in carriages, in traps, in mo-
tors and in tse saddle His brain
whirled and his heart leaped under the
pressure of q 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 lively narrative of young
gentleman's adventures in faraway
Graustark, it might have become a
tale Of the smart set in New York,
for, as you know, we are bound by
tradition to follow the trail laid down
by our hero, no matter which way he
elects to fare He confded to his
friend from Cooks that he could new
er have forgiven himself if he had adj
hered to his resolution to leave on the
following day
81 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. Ididn't know
it myself two minutes ago. No, sir,
Hobbs-or is it Dobbs? Thanks. No,
sir, I'm going to stop here for a-well,
a week or two. Where the dickens do
these people keep themselves? l
haven't seen 'em before"
ooh, they are the nobility-the
swells. They don't hang around the
streets like tourists and rubbernecks,
sir" in plain disgust.
81 say, who is that just passing
the lady in the victorian" King asked
abruptly.
THAT is the Countess Marlanx."
"Whew! l thought she was the
queen"
Hobbs went into details concerning
the beautiful countess.
"I was just going to ask if you know
anything about a young woman who
occasionally tends shop for \ William
Spantz, the armorer," King finally
asked
HOODS looked interested. shes
quite a beauty, sir. l give you my
word"
81 know that, Hobbs. But who is
she?"
81 really can't say. sir. She's his
niece. I've heard. Been here a LITTLE
over a month. | think she's from War
saw"
Wen. I'll say goodby here. If you've
nothing on for tomorrow we'll visi
the castle grounds and-ahem!-take ;
look about the place. Come to the ho
tel early. I'm going over TO the gun
shop"
He was whistling gayly as he en-
tered the little shop, ready to give ;
CHEEKY greeting to old Spantz and t
make him a temporizing offer for tn
broadsword. But it was not Spant
who stood behind the little counter
Truxton flushed holly and jerked OF
his hat. The girl smiled.
al beg PARDON" he exclaimed. 81
I'm looking for Mr.. SpantZ. p
Gle is out. Will you wait" Sh
turned to the window, resuming tn
wistful, preoccupied gaze down tn
avenue.
"Beg pardon" he said politely.
wanted to have another look at tt
broadsword there"
Very quickly-he noticed that sh
went about it clumsily despite be
supple gracefulness-she withdrew tt
heavy weapon from the window an
laid it upon the counter.
II am not-not what you would ca
an expert" she said frankly.
whats the price," he asked, b
courage faltering under the cool, in
personal gaze.
81 do not know. My uncle has to-
you. 1 am quite new at the trad
hope you will excuse my ignoranc
My uncle will be here in a moment
She was turning away with an a
that convinced King of one thing-sl
was a person who in no sense hs
ever been called upon to serve others
$50 I've heard" he observed. II
bait took effect. She looked up quic
ly. He was confident that a startl
expression fitted across her face
"You have heard? What have v,