The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-02

pfOfnfSpS- w utt.s NsFt VI HtFntStiHcAH
ces,id be matlr by whirii titr system
might heso,rratsJ N conjunction with
branch Hines VI HI. iisat,~fiHi reads.
And SO II WIS that Mt midday lie
rode In pomn and spiendor through
the city gates. attended lSs his staff
and rather ovcrrowering bosiyg,iaisl
The grand duke, With all The AFRO
gance OF real i,erSnhasc. was late. II
was not for him to consider the con
ditions that distressed the court Of
Granstark- not AT all. He was u
grand ,lekc and be would take his own
time III paying his respects. When be
finally presented himself at the castle
doors sles.ny grs,np Ut attendants
actually yawned Ia his presence.
No one Ind slept during the night
Just passed Excitement and tile sur
fering of others had denied silnber to
one and all. even to those who had not
slept for many days and nights. Now
the reaction was upon them. Relnxa-
tion had succeeded tenseness.
When the grand duke entered the
great. sombcr throne room he was
confronted by pnnctiliously polite
assemblage. but every eyeiid was ms
heavy as lead aud rs prone to sink.
The prince sat far back In the great
chair Of his ancestors. his sturdy legs
sticking straight ont in front of him.
The grand duke advanced between the
respectful lines and kneit at the foot
of the throne.
arise. your highness," piped Bobby.
with a quick glance at Count Haifent
1t was faint. faraway voice that ut.
tered the gracious command. Gran
stark welcomes the Grand Duke Pau
lus. 1t is my pleasure toto A help
I, less lock came into his eyes. Ee 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 you'
majesty. The Fluctuations of my EN-
peror aud the warmest protestations
of friendship from his people"
With this rs a prologue tie engaged.
himself In the ever pleasurnble task
OF delivering long congratulatory
address. After Eve minutes OF high
sounding plntitudes be again turned
TO the prince. II was then that ha
received his iirst 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 his
neck The grand duke coughed en-
phatically. cleared his throat and grew
very red In the face.
The court OF Graustark was distinct.
~ dismayE
.1Iis ,na3es.v appears to haye-ahen
gone to Sleep" remarked the grant
duke tartly. iuterrnrting himself tc
address the prime minister.
"He is very tired. your excellency."
said Count Halfont. very much tiis-
tressed. Pray consider what he has
been through during the
"Ah. my dear count, do not apologize
for him. | quite understand. Ahem!
Ahem. iii..he was very red Ia
the race.
Il viii awaken him. your excellen-
cy," said the prime minister, edgfng
toward the throne.
''Not at ali. sir" protested the Wis
itor. Permit him to have bis sleep
out. sir. | will not have him dis
turhed. Who am that | should
defeat the claims of nature? II is my
pleasure to wait until his majesty's
nap is ever. Then he may dismiss us.
but not until we have cried Long
live the princer
For awhile they stood In awkward
silence, this notable gathering OF men
and women. Then the prime minister
In hushed tones suggested that 1t
would be eminently proper under the
circumstances for all present to be-
seated. He was under the impression
that his serene highness would sleep
long and soundiy.
Stiff backed and uncomfortable. the
court sat and waited. No one pre-
tended to conceal the blissful yawns
that would not be denied. A drowsy.
ineffably languid feeling took possess
sion Of the entire assemblage.
The prime minister sat at the foot
Of the throne and nodded In spite OF
himself. John Tuilis. far back near the
wall. had bis head on his hand, brave
~ fighting of the persistent demon.
Prince Dantan Of Dawsbergen was
sound asleep.
The grand duke was wide awake.
He saw II all and was equal to the oc-
casion. After all, he was kindly old
gentleman and. once his moment Of
modification was over, he was no.
above charity.
Robby's poor iittie head had slipped
over to most uncomfortable position
against the arm Of the chair. Putting
his finger to lips. the grand duke tip
toed carefully up to the throne. With
very gentle hands he lifted Bobby's
head and. Infinitely tender. stuffed q
throne cushion behind the curly head.
A splendid smile In his eyes. he tip
toed back to his chair.
As he passed Count Halfont who
had risen. he whispered:
.Denr little man! do not forget.
my lord. that was once q boy. God
bless him!'
Then he sat down. conscious Of