The Glasgow courier., 1916-07-21
The Prince of
CrQuStQrk
CONTINUED from page 81

CONTINUED from page 81
marries him?" inquired the young
man.
"You will be her choice" said the
other without the quiver of an eyelash.
How can you be sure of that? Has
she no mind of her own?"
1T isn't incomprehensible that she
should fall in love with you. is it,"
1T might be possible, Of course. pro-
vided she is not already in love with
some one else."
Mr.. Blithers started. Have you
heard any one say that? But that's
nonsense. She's not in love with any
one. take 1t from me. And just to
show you how fair am to her-and to
you'll stake my head you fall in
love with each other before you've
been together week."
1T is possible that | could fall in
love with her inside of a week or even
sooner But | don't intend to. Mr.
Blithers. any more than she intends to
fall in love with me. You say that
$20,O0O,000 will 60 to the man she mar
ries If he is your choice. Well, don't
give hang, sir. if you make it $780,
100000. l am not for sale. Mr.. Blth.
ers. Good morning." Robin turned
into the wood and was sauntering
away with his chin high in the air
when Mr. Blithers called out to him
from behind:
Il shall expect you tonight. just the
same"
Robin halted. amazed by the mans
assurance. He retraced his steps to
the roadside.
will you pardon slight feeling of
curiosity on my part, Mr.. Blithers, if
ask whether your daughter consents
to the arrangement you propose. Does
she approve of the scheme?"
Mr. Blithers was honest. "No, she
doesn't" he said succinctly. cat
least. not at present. I'll be honest
with you. She stayed away from the
ball last night simply because she
did not want to meet you. That's the
kind Of girl she is
"By jove. take off my hat to her!"
cried Robin. "She's brick. after all.
Take 1t from me. Mr. Blithers. you
will not be able to hand over twenty
millions without her consent. | be-
Neve that should enjoy meeting her.
now that l come to think of 1t. 1t
would be a pleasure to exchange con-
fidences with girl of that sort Shall
! instruct your chauffeur to come for
you up here. or will you walk back
to-
"I'll walk to Red Roof" said Mr..
Blithers doggedly. "I'm going to ask
Mrs. King t" let you of for tonight"
CHAPTER VII.
A Letter From Maud.
~ R. BLlTHERS, triumphant.
" left Red Roof shortly after
luncheon: Mr.. Blithers, dis
mayed, arrived at Blither-
wood a quarter of an hour later. He
had had his way with Robin, who,
after all, was coming to dinner that
evening with Count Quinnox. The
prince, after few words in private
with the count, changed his mind
anu accepted Mr.. Blithers' invitation
with liveliness that was mistaken
for eagerness by that gentleman
who had made very short work of
subduing Mrs. King when she tried
to tell him that her own dinner party
would be ruined if the principal
guest defaulted. He was sloatin2
over his victory up to the instant Ii,
reached his own lodge gates. Their,
dismay sat patiently waiting for hin
in the shape Of messenger from tn,
local telegraph office in the villag
below. He had seen Mr.. Blithers ap
preaching in the distance. and will
an astuteness that argued we'll 70
his future success in life, calmly sa
down to wait i~ pedaling hi
decrepit picycie up the long slope t