The Hattiesburg news., 1910-01-24

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figure with sudden pride. II am ar.
morer to the crown, sir. My blades
are used by the nobility-not by the
army, I am happy to say"
II say, Herr Spantz, or monsieur. I'd
like to have good long chat with you
What do you say to mug of that ex.
cellent beer over in the cafe garden
Business seems to be a little dull
Can't you-er-lock upT
Spantz looked at him keenly.
May ask what brings you to Edel.
weissf' he asked abruptly.
II don't mind telling you, Mr.. Spantz
that I'm here because I'm somewhat
Of fool. False hopes led me astray.
I came hare looking for romance--for
adventure"
~ see," cackled .Spantz, his eyes
twinding with mirth. ..Yox thought
you could capture Wild and beautiful
princesses here just az you pleased.
eh? Let mo tell you, young man, only
one American-only one foreigner, IL
fact-has accomplished that miracle.
Mr.. Lorry came here ten years age
and won the fairest flower Graustark
ever produced-the beautiful Yetive-
but he was the only one"
"No. I'm not looking for princesscs.
| I've seen hundreds of 'em in all parts
l 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
he's got a jeweled sword and all that
sort Of thing. ! daresay he's 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
am out" Spantz explained.
They paused near the door until the
old mans niece appeared at the back
OF the shop. Kings glance became
more or less in the nature of stare
Of amazement.
| A young woman of the most astound-
ing beauty. attired in the black and
red Of the Graustark middle classes.
was slowly approaching from the shad.
owy recesses at the end of the shop.
His heart enjoyed lively thump.
Truxton King, you may be sure. did
not precede the old man into the street.
He deliberately removed his hat and
waited most politely for age to go be-
fore youth. in the meantime bandly
gazing upon the face of this amazing
niece.
Across the square. at one of the ta-
bles. the old man. over his huge mug
OF beer. became properly grateful Ht
was willing to repay King for his lit
tie attention by giving him careful
history Of Graustark. past. present and
future.
The old man was rambling on. 1.-The
young prince has lived most of his
life in Washington and London and
Paris. sir. He's only seven, sir. OF
course you remember the dreadful nc.
cfdent that made him an orphan and
put him on the throne with the three
wise men Of the east as regents OF
governors-the train wreck near Brus.
sells, sir. His mother. the glorious
Princess Yetive, was killed and his
father, Mr.. LOrry, died the next day
from his injuries. That, sir, was a
most appalling blow to the people OF
Graustark. There never will be an.
other pair like them, sir. God alone
preserved the little prince. The col
lision was from the rear, q broken rail
throwing locomotive into the prin
cess coach. This sprovidential escape
OF the young prince preserved the un.
broken line of the present royal fam
ily."
Il say, Mr.. Spantz, | don't believe
I've told you that your niece is a most
remarkably beau
"As I was saying, sir" interrupted
Spantz SO pointedly that Truxton
flushed, ''the little prince is the idol
Of all the people. Under the present
regency he is obliged to reside in the
principality until his fifteenth year
after which he may be permitted tc
travel abroad"
Spantz was eying him narrowly
AOu wv NV appear iuttIcSIcu III Jul
royal family" he ventured coldly.
Truxton fastened to assure him that
he was keenly interested. Especially
so now that l appreciate that the lit
tie prince Is the last of his race
There are three regents. sir, In
charge Of the affairs of state-Count
Halfont, the Duke of Perse and Baron
Jasto Dangloss, who is minister of po
lice. Count Halfont is granduncle
of the prince by marriage. The Duke
of Perse is the father of the unhappy
Countess Ingomede. the young and
beautiful wife Of the cxiled Iron Count
Marlanx. No doubt you've heard OF
him."
II remember that he was banished
from the principally"
"Quite true. sir. He was banished
in 1901 and now resides on his estates
in Austria Three