Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-23

if she hears of your silly blunder to-
night"
His face frightened. Lowering his
voice to a half whisper, he said: I'VE
needn't tell her what 1 said to that old
chap, Lou. Just let her think 1 sat
around like a gump and never said a
word to anybody. We cam
But she'll pin you down, Will, and
you know you can't lie with a straight
face"
"Maybe-maybe I'd better run down
to New York for a few days." he NUT
tered unhappily. You can square it
better than I can"
in other words, can lie with a
straight face" she said ironically.
II never thought she'd balk like this
said he, ignoring the remark.
Il fancy you'd better go to New
York" she said mercilessly.
Sure enough. Mr.. Blithers was of
for New York soon after daybreak the
next morning, and with him went a
mighty determination to justify him.
self before the week was over. His
willy brain was working as it had
never worked before.
Two days later Count Quinnox re-
ceived a message from New York
bearing the distressing information
that the two private banking institu-
lions on which he had been depend
ing for aid in the hour of trouble had
decided that it would be impossible
for them to make the loan under con-
sideration.
Vastly disturbed, Count Quinnox
took the first train to New York, &C
companied by Truxton King, who was
confident that outside influences had
been brought to bear upon the situa-
ton, influences inimical to Grau-
stark. Both were Of the opinion that
Russia had something to do with it.
eve may be able to get to the
banks through Blithers," said King.
"How could he possibly be of as
sistance to us?" the count inquired.
"He happens to be director In
both concerns. besides being such g
power in the financial world that hi:
! word is almost law when it comes tt
the big deals"
All the way down to the city Coun
Quinnox was thoughtful. even pre-
occupied. They were nearing tn,
terminal when he leaned over and
laying his hand on Kings knee, sail
after long interval Of silence be
tween them:
81 suppose you know that Grau
stark has not given up hope tina
Prince Robin may soon espouse tn,
daughter Of our neighbor, Dawsber
gen."
King gave him queer look. "B!
! Jove, that's odd! 1 was thinking o
that very thing when you spoke"
The union would be of no profit t
US in a pecuniary way, my friend" ey
planned the count. "Still it is most de
sirable for other reasons. DawsbeI
gen is not rich country, nor are it
people progressive. The reigning house
however, is an old one and rich in ira
ditions. Money, my dear King. is no
everything in this world. There ar
some things it cannot buy. 1t is sin
gularly Ineffective when opposed to a
honest sentiment. Even though tn
young princess were to come to Grau
stark without a farthing she woul
still be hailed with the widest al
claim. We are a race Of blood VOL
shippers, If 1 may put it in that way
She represents a force that has dom
mated our instincts for a great man
centuries, and we are bound hand an
foot, heart and soul, by the so Gale
letters of Imperialism. We are fierc
men, but we bend the knee and W
} wear the yoke because the sword 0
! destinyis in the hand thatdriyes US. Tt
: day we are ruled by prince who's
sire was not of the royal blood. Gu
prince assumes an attitude of inde
, pendence that we find difficult to oveI
come. He is prepared to defy an oil
, precedent in support Of new one. Il
other words. he points out the unmis
takably happy union Of his own moth