The evening world., 1915-01-29
BY GEORGE BARR M'CUTCHEON

Mr.. Blithers. You could not have Or.
rived ct time more opportune.
have takan the precaution to reserve
chairs for you on the veranda. The
procession will pass directly In front
nue."
what procsssion1" demanded Mr..
Blithers. He was beginning to recall
the presence Of uniformed bands and
mounted troops In the side streets
near the station.
Tho Prince Is returning to-day
from his trip around the world,' said
the manager.
HE ought to have been back long
ago." said Mr.. Blithers wrathfully,
and mopped his brow with q hand
rendered unsteady by q mental cou-
vulsion. He was thinking Of his hat
lifting experience.
True to schedule. the procession
passed tho hotel at five. Bands were
playing. people were shouting, BAN
ners were waving. and leglons Of
mounted and foot soldiers in brilliant
array clogged the thorougbfare. The
royal equipage rolled slowly by, fol.
lowed by less gorgeous carriages in
which were seated the men who failed
to mako the advent OF Mr.. Blithers
conspicuous success.
Prince Robin sat in the royal coach,
faced by two unbending officers of
the Royal Guard. He was alone on
the rear seat, and his brown. hanl-
some face was aglow with smiles. In
stead Of hat of silk, he lifted a gay
and far from immaculate conception
In straw; Instead Of a gllttering uni
form. he wore a suit of blue serge and
n peculiarly American tie of crimson
hue. He looked more like a popular
athlete returning from conquests
abroad than a prince OF ancient iine-
age. But the crowd cheered ,tsslf
hoarse over this bright-faced young
ster who rode by in q coach of gold
and brandished a singularly unregai
chapeau.
His alert eyes were searching tho
crowd along the street, In the ball
comics and windows with an eager in
tensity. He was looking for the
sweet familiar face Of the Ioyeliest
girl on earth and knew that he looked
In vain. for even though she was one
among the many her features would
be obscured by an impenetrable veil.
II she were there he wondered what
her thoughts might be on beholdinc
the humble r. Schmidt in the role Of
q royal prince receiving the launda-
tons Of the loving multitude
Passing the Regengetz. his eyes
swept the rows Of cheering people
banked upon its wide terrace and
verandas. He saw Mr.. and Mrs.
Blithers well down In front and for
a second his heart seemed to stand
still. Would she be with them? II
was with a distinct sensation Of re-
lief that he realized that she was
not with the smiling Americans.
Mr. Blithers waved his hat and. in.
stead of shouting the incomprehensl- =
BILE greeting Of the native spectators
called out in vociferous tones:
rah!"
A the coach swerved into the cir
Gle and entered the great, tree lined
avenue followed by the Gathering
chorus OF four thousand horseshoes
Mrs. Blithcrs, after a final glimpse OF
the disappearing coach. sighed pro
foundly. shook out her har lkerchiet
from the crumpled ball sho had made
OF II with her nervously clenched fin
gers. touched her lips with II and
said:
"Oh. what a remarkably handsome
manly hoy he Is. WIFI"
Mr.. Blithers nodded his head
proudly. He certainly IL. I'll be,
my head that Maud is crazy about
him already. She can't help II, Lou
That trip or the Jupiter was q God
send"
81 wish we could hear something
from her" said Mrs. Blithers anx-
iously.
Don't you worry" said he. "Shc'll
turn m safe and sound and enthus,
astic before she's a week older. Well
have plain sailing from now on, Lon"