The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1916-05-18

Mr.. Blithers not only ran a special
train de luxe from New York city,
but another from Washington and
still another from Newport, for it APP
pears that the Newporters at the last
minute couldn't bear the idea Of go
ing to the metropolis out Of season.
He actually had to take them around
the city in such way that they were
not even obliged to submit to a
glimpse of the remotest outskirts Of
the Bronx.
From Washington came an amazing
company of foreign ladies and gentle
men, ranging from the most exalted
Europeans to the lowliest of the yell
low races. They came with gold all
over them; they tinkled with the
clash of a million cymbals. The pres
ident of the United States almost
came. Having no spangles Of his own,
he delegated a major general and
rear admiral to represent Old Glory,
and no doubt sulked in the White
House because a parsimonious nation
refuses to buy braid and buttons for
its chief executive.
In order to deliver his guests at the
doors of BlitherWood, so to speak. the
incomprehensible Mr.. Blithers had
temporary spur of track laid from
the station two miles away, employ
ing no fewer than a thousand men to
do the work in forty-eight hours.
Work on a terminal extension in New
York was delayed for week or more
in order that he might borrow the
rails, ties and work trains.
Two hundred and fifty precious and
skillfully selected guests ate two hun
dred and fifty gargantuan dinners
and twice as many suppers; drank
barrels Of the rarest Of wines; smoked
countless two dollar perfectos and
stuffed their pockets with enough to
last them for days to come.
A great many mothers inspected
Prince Robin with interest and con-
fessed to a really genuine enthusi-
asm. The ruler of Graustark (four.
fifths Of the guests asked where In
the world it WASH was the lion OF
the day. Mr.. Blithers was annoyed
because he did not wear his crown,
but was somewhat notified by the
information that he had neglected to
bring it along with him in his trav-
els
Exercising a potentate's preroga-
tive, Prince Robin left the scene Of
festivity somewhat earlier than was
expected. AS a matter Of fact, he de-
parted shortly after l. Moreover,
being a prince, it did not occur to
him to offer any excuse for leaving so
early, but gracefully thanked his
host and hostess and took himself off
without the customary assertion that
he had had splendid time. Strange
to say, he did not offer single com
ment on the sumptuousness OF the
affair that had been given in his
honor. Mr.. Blithers couldn't get over
that.
Except for one heartrending Incl
dent, the Blitherwood ball was the
most satisfying event in the lives Of
Mr.. and Mrs. William w. Blithers.
That incident, however, happened to
be the hasty and we'll managed flight
of Maud Apologize Blithers at an
hour indefinitely placed somewhere
between 4 and o'clock on the morn
ng Of the great day.
/ Miss Blithers was not at the ball.
| She was in New York city serenely
enjoying one Of the big summer
| shows, accompanied by young SEQ
Vile and her one time governess, q
| middle aged gentlewoman who had
seen even better days than those
spent in the employ Of William w.
Blithers. The resolute young lady
! had done precisely what she said she
would do, and for the first time In his
life Mr.. Blithers realized that his
/ daughter was a creation and not q
mere condition. He wilted like a
! famished water lily and went about
! the place in state of bewilderment
/ so bleak that even his wife felt sorry
| for him and refrained from the 81
| told you so" that might have been ex-
pected under the circumstances.
Maud's telegram. which came at
/ o'clock in the afternoon, was meant to
/ be reassuring but 1t failed Of its pur
pose. 1t said:
Have good time and don't lose any
sleep over me. shall sleep very
soundly myself at the Butz tonight and
hope you will be doing the same wher
| return home tomorrow afternoon, fol
I know you will be dreadfully tired
after all the excitement. Convey my
congratulations to the guest Of honor
and believe me to be your devoted and
obedient daughter"
CHAPTER VI.
The Prince and Mr.. Blithers.
A NY one who imagines that Mr.
n Blithers accepted Mauds defec
~ ton as final disposition Of the