Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1916-03-30

members have never failed Graustark
In any
81 beg your pardon, prince" said
Mr.. Blithers firmly, "but l certainly
suspect that they failed her when
they contracted this debt to Russia.
You will forgive me for saying it, but
1t was the most asinine bit of short
sightedness I've ever heard of. My
Office boys could have seen farther
than your honorable ministers. What
you need in Groostock is little more
good American blood. If you are go
ing to cope with the world you've got
to tackle the job with brains and not
with that idiotic thing called faith.
There's no such thing these days as
charity among men, good will and all
that nonsense. Now. you've got a
splendid start in the right direction.
prince. You've got American blood in
your veins, and that means a good
deal. Take my advice and increase
the proportion. In couple OF gener-
atoms you'll have something to brag
about. Beget sons that will think
and act. Weed out the thin blood
and give the crown Of Grasstick
something that is thick and red. 1t
will be the making Of your
II suppose you are advising me to
marry an American woman. Mr.. Blith-
ers," said Robin dryly.
Mr. Blithers directed a calculating
squirt into the treetops. II am simply
looking ahead for my own protection.
prince" said he.
you may rest assured, Mr.. Blithers,
that l shall marry to please myself
and no one else" said Robin, regard
ing him with coldness that for an in
slant affected the millionaire uncom-
fortably.
WELL" said Mr.. Blithers after a mo-
ment of hard thinking, 1T may inter
est you to know that married for
love-"
at does interest me-" said Robin
81 am glad that you did"
81 was a comparatively poor man
when | married. The girl l married
was well off in her own right. She
had brains as well. We worked to-
gether to lay the foundation for a
well, for the fortune we now possess, q
fortune, may add, that is to go. every
dollar Of 1t, to my daughter. 1t repre-
sents nearly $5OO,0O0.0O0. The great.
est king in the world today is poor in
comparison to that vast estate. Ny
daughter will one day be the richest
woman in the world"
why are you taking the pains to en-
tighten me as to your daughters fu-
ture, Mr.. Blithers?"
Because | regard you as a sensible
young man, prince"
THANK you And suppose you re-
gard your daughter as sensible young
woman"
Certainly" exploded Mr.. Blithers.
well, 1t seems to me she will be
capable of taking care Of her fortune a |
great deal more successfully than you |
imagine, Mr.. Blithers. She will doubt
less marry an excellent chap who has
the capacity to increase her fortune |
rather than to let it stand at figure |
that some day may be surpassed by |
the possession of an ambitious king"
There was fine irony in the princes
tone, but no trace of offensiveness.
Mr.. Blithers turned a
shade more purple than before and not
from the violence of exercise. He was
having some difficulty in controlling
his temper. What manner Of fcol was
this fellow who could sneer at $780,
100000? He managed to choke back
that rose to his lips and
very politely remarked
81 am sure you will like her, prince.
If l do say it myself. she is as hand
some as they grow"
$50 l have been told"
"You will see her tonight"
"Really, Mr.. Blithers, l cannot
"Tll fix it with Mrs. King. Don't
you worry"
May J be pardoned for observing
that Mrs. King, greatly as l love her.
Is not invested with the power to
govern my actions?" said Robin
"And may l be pardoned for sug-
costing that 1t is your duty to your
people to completely understand this
oan of mine before you agree to ac-
,ept it?" said Mr.. Blithers, COM
pressing his lips.
"Forgive me, Mr.. Blithers. but 1t s
s not altogether improbable that
5raustark may secure the money T.
elsewhere.
ait is not only improbable, but i'm
said Mr.. Blithers fatty. !
Tmpossible?"
Absolutely" said the millionaire,
o significantly that Robin would
lave been a dolt not to grasp the sit
lation. Nothing could have been
learer than the fact that Mr.. Blith-
rs believed 1t to be in his power to
lock any effort Graustark might
make in other directions to secure the
much needed money.
"Win you come to the point. Mr..
Ilithers?" said the young prince,
topping abruptly In the middle OF
he road and facing HE cornnanfon