Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1916-05-04

duty bound to lay before his superior
the grim old minister of war and he
reditary chief of the castle guard. Oc-
casionally his somber gaze shifted to
a spot farther down the deck, where
young man and woman leaned upon
the rail and surveyed the scene of ac-
tivity below.
What is on your mind, DAM" ask
ed the count abruptly. "Out with it."
Pretty mess I've made of the bust
ness" lamented Dank surlily. Put
ting myself up as a contender against
fellow like Robin and dreaming that
could win out, even for minute!
Good Lord, what an ass am! Why,
we've only made 1t worse, count.
We've touched him with the spur of
rivalry, and what could be more ca
lamitous than that? From being a
rather matter of fact, Indifferent OBJ
server, he becomes bewildering cav
alier bent on conquest at any cost.
am swept aside as If were parcel
of rags. For two days stood between
him and the Incompatible Miss Guile.
Then he suddenly arouses himself.
Ny cake is dough. l am nobody. The
beautiful Miss Guile has bewitched |
our prince, and my labor is not only
lost, but l myself am lost. Mon dieu!"
The count stared at him in perplex- |
ity for a moment. Then look of sur
1vfef iv.A III ,,otI
unmingled with scorn.
You don't mean to say, Dank, that !
you've fallen in love with her? Oh,
you absurd fledgelings. Will YOU
why not?" broke in Dank f1ercely.
why should it appear incredible to
you? Is she not the most enhancing
creature in all the world? Is she not
the most appealing, the most adorable,
most feminine of all her sex? The
The count stopped him with a sharp
gesture. look of real concern ap-
peared in his eyes.
do you believe that he is actually
in love with this girl?"
Heels over head" barked the un.
happy lieutenant. I've never seen a
worse case"
I'VE must put an end to this fond
adventure. Robin is our most precious
possession. We must not Why do
you shake your head?"
I'VE are powerless, sir. II he makes
up his mind to marry Miss Guile he'll
do 1t in spite Of anything we can do
that is. provided she is of the same
mind. All Graustark can't stop him,
nor old man Blithers either Besides,
he says he isn't going to Edelweiss
Immediately"
THAT is news to me-"
II thought 1t would be- He came to
the decision not more than two hours
ago. He is determined to spend :
couple Of weeks at Interlaken." S
"Interlaken?"
yes. Miss Guile expects to stop
there for fortnight after leaving
Paris"
81 must demonstrate with Robin-at =
once" declared the old man. "He is 9
needed in Graustark. He must be &,
made to realize the importance Of $
Il told him we we're expected to IL
reach home by the end of next week, 81
and he said that a quiet fortnight in NJ
he Alps would make new men Of all j
IF u.s." ~
"Pon my soul" was all that the
poor minister of war, an adept in "
strategy, was able to exclaim. az
For some unaccountable reason Miss 81
Guile and her companion preferred to it
ravel alone to Paris They had at
private compartment, over which a re-
pectful, but adamantine, conductor
Exercised an authority that irritated r. II
Schmidt beyond expression. The rest
# the train was crowded to its ca
'acity, and here was desirable space
'oing to waste in the section occu-
lied by the selfish Miss Guile He Re-
ouldn't understand 1t in her. Was II, he
fter all. to be put down as a simple in,
teamer encounter? Was she DELHI VIC
rately snubbing him. now that they a.,
yere on land? -
It was not until the boat train was ~
caring the environs Of Paris that M
Tobbs threw some light over y sit TIL
alton. with the result that it instantly be
ecame darker than ever before II tn
ppears that Miss Guile was met at ha
le landing by a very good looking tel
Dung man who not only escorted her a.
, the train, but actually entered It
18th her and was even now enjoying 80
lie luxury OF private compartment lot
) well as the contents Of a large Alb
ncheon hamper. to say nothing Of an res
interrupted view Of something far bill
ore inspiring than the scenery.