The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-02-08


Halfont, Dangloss and others.
The dukes impassioned plea was OF
no avail. His confreres saw the wis
dom of keeping Russia's greedy hand
out Of the country's affairs-at least
for the present-and reiterated their
decision to seek the loans in England
and France. The question, therefore,
would not be taken to parliament for
reconsideration. The duke sat down,
pale i'll defeat; his heart was more bit
ter than ever against the shrewd
American who had induced all these
men to see through his eyes.
At this juncture the prince, gather
ing from the manner of his ministers
that the question was settled to his
liking, leaned forward and announced
to his uncle, the premier:
I'm tired, Uncle Caspar. How much
longer is it,
Count Halfont coughed. "Ahem.
Just a few minutes, your highness.
Pray be patient-er-my little man"
Prince Bobby flushed He always
knew that he was being patronized
when any one addressed him as my
little man.
Il have an engagement" he said,
with a stiffening of his back.
The Duke of Perse smiled grimly. In
his most polite manner he arose to ad
dress the now harassed princeling
who shifted uneasily on the pile of
lawbOoks
May your most humble subject pre-
sumo to inquire into the nature Of
your highness' engagement"
You may, your grace" said the
prince.
The duke waited. A smile crept into
the eyes of the others. We'll, what is
the en.a cement"
Il had date to ride with Uncle
Jack at II and to review the troops
Count Halfont interposed good hu-
mOredly: There is nothing more to
come before US today, your grace, so 1
fancy We may as we'll close the meet
ing. To my mind it is rather silly
custom which compels us to keep the
prince with us-er-after the opening
of the session. OF course, your high
ness, we don't mean to say that You
are not interested in our grave deliber-
atiOns."
Prince Bobby broke in eagerly: I'm
Gle Jack says I've just got to be inter
ested in 'em whether l want to or not.
He says it's the only way to catch on
to things and become regular prince.
You see, Uncle Caspar, I've got a lot
to learn"
Yes, your highness, you have" sol
emnly admitted the premier But l
am sure YOU will learn
Under such an able instructor as
Uncle Jack you may soon know more
than the wisest man in the realm -
added the Duke Of Perse
Thank you. your grace" said the
prince SO politely that the duke was
COMPOUNDED. Il know Uncle Jack will
be glad to hear that He's-hes afraid
people may think he's butting in too
much
"Butting In gasped the premier.
At this the Duke of Perse came to
his feet again. an angry CLEAN in his
eyes. My lords he began hastily,
1T must certainly have occurred t.
you before this that our beloved
princes English, which seems. after
all, to be his mother tongue. is not
what it should be. Butting in. Yes
terday / overheard him advising your
son, Pultz, to go chase himself. And
when your boy tried to chase himself
pom my word he did-what did our
prince say? What did you say. Prince
Robin:'
toy me
by.
You said Mice" Or was ter
No. your grace: rats. l remember
That's what l said. That's what all OF
US boys used to say in Washington
God deliver US, Has it come to this
that prince Of Graustark should
grow up with such language on his
lips? That COMPOUNDED American has
every one hypnotiZed" exploded the
duke His influence over this boy Is
a menace to our country. He is max
ing an oaf Of him-a slangy, impuden1
little
Your grace interrupted Baron
Dangloss sharply,
Uncle Jacks all right" declared the
prince. vaguely realizing that a de
Tense should he forthcoming.
He is, eh:" rasped the exasperatec
duke, hopping his brow.
He sure is" pronounced the prince
with a anality that left no room fol
doubt.
He is mountebank, meddler
that's what he is exclaimed the over
heated duke
But the prince had slid down from
his pile of books and planted hiIasel.
beside him SO suddenly that the bitter
words died away on the old mans
lips.
You awful old man." he cried. trenl
bling all over. his eyes blazing. 'Don'l
you say anything against Uncle Jack
Tll-Tll Danish you-yeS, sir-bani>l
you like my mother fired Count Mar
lanx out OF the country. | won't lei
you come back here-never. And he
fore you go I'll have Uncle Jack give
you q good licking. Oh. he can DO il
all right. II hate you"
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