Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1916-03-09

De nelgnDOTly, uou YOU hhoN' Ah"e
me. I'm for being neighborly with my
neighbors. But women, they-well.
you know how it is, Mrs. King. AL
ways something turning up to keep
'em from doing the things they want
to do most And Mrs. Blithers has so
many sociable obi l beg pardon"
II was Just wondering If you would
stay and have dinner with us, Mr..
Blithers," said she, utterly helpless.
She couldn't look her husband in the
eye-and it was quite fortunate that
she was unable to do so, for it would
have resulted in laughing duet that
could never have been explained.
"Why," said Mr.. Blithers, arising
and looking at his watch again, "bless
my soul, it is past dinner time, isn't
1t? l had no idea it was so late. Pom
my soul, it's good of you, Mrs. King!
You see, we have dinner at up at
Blitherwood, and-I declare, it's half
past now! / don't see where the time
has gone. Thanks! l will stay II you
really mean to be kind to a poor old
beggar. Don't do anything extra on
my account, though-just your regular
dinner, you know. No frills, If you
please" He looked himself over in
some uncertainty. "Will this rag of
mine do?"
pray do not think of I'll" she cried.
1.-THE men change, of course, after
they've been playing tennis, but we
we-well, you see, you haven't been
playing" she concluded quite breath
lessly.
At that instant the sprightly Feltons
dashed pellmell down the steps and
across the lawn homeward, shrieklne
something unintelligible to Mrs King
as they passed.
"They are dears," said Mrs. King.
"The-er-prince attracted by either
one Of 'emT he queried.
HE barely knows them, Mr.. Blith-
ers.''
'I see. Shouldn't think they'd ap-
peal to him. Rather light, l should
say-I mean up here" and he tapped
his forehead so that she wouldn't think
that he referred to pounds and ounces.
81 don't believe Maud knows 'em, as
the little one said. Maud is rather
ut is possible they have mistaken
some one else for your daughter" said
she very gently.
Impossible" said he. with force.
"They are coming back here for din
ner," she said, and her eyes sparkled
with mischief. Il shall put you be-
tween them, Mr. Blithers. You will
find that they are very bright, attrac-
tive girls
Wen see," said he succinctly.
King caught them up at the top OF
the steps. He seemed to be slightly
out of breath.
"Make yourself at home, Mr.. Blith-
ers. / must get into something be-
sides these buds I'm wearing" he
said. "Would you like to-er-wash
up while we're
"No, thanks" interposed Mr.. Blith-
ers. "I'm as clean as a whistle. Don't
mind me, please. Run along and
dress, both of yo' I'll sit out here
and-count the minutes" the last
with very elaborate bow to Mrs.
King.
DINNERS at half past g." said she
and disappeared. Mr.. Blithers re-
called his last glance at his watch
and calculated that he would have at
least fifty minutes to count, provided
dinner was served promptly on the
dot. So he settled himself in the big
porch chair and scowled more deeply
than before.
Later on he met the prince. Very
warmly he shook the tall young
mans hand-he even gave it pro-
phetic second squeeze-and said:
81 am happy to welcome you to the
Catskills, prince"
"Thank you" said Prince Robin.
"a most extraordinary person" said
Count Quinnox to King after Mr..
Blithers had taken his departure.
close upon the heels of the Feltons,
who were being escorted home by the
DTl0C6 anu Oduh. hC fNANAa DAS
Graustarkian's heroic face was a
study. He had just concluded con-
fdential hour in a remote corner of
the library with the millionaire while
the younger people were engaged In
noisy though temperate encounter
with the roulette wheel at the oppo-
site end Of the room. 1--WE never met
any one like him, Mr.. King" He
mopped his brow and still looked a
trifle dazed.
King laughed. There isn't any one
like him, count He is the one and
only Blithers."
"He is very richT'
millions and Millions" said Mrs.
King. Didn't he tell you how many?"
81 am not quite sure. This daugh-
ter of his-is she attracdveT
Rather. Why?"