Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-09-26

II know" she said YEARLY. You've
said it thousand times-the founda-
tion on which built my temple Of pos
terity'-yes. know. Will. But l am
still unalterably opposed to making
ourselves ridiculous in the eyes Of Mr..
and Mrs. King"
Ridiculous? don't understand
your"
We'll. you will after you think it
over" she said quietly. and he scowled
In positive perplexity.
Don't you think he'd be good
match for Maud?" he asked, after
many minutes He felt that he had
thought it over.
Are you thinking Of kidnapping him.
WHIP" she demanded.
"Certainly not! But all you've got to
do Is to say that he's the man for Maud
and Tll-I'll do the rest. That's the
kind of man am. Lou. You say you
don't want Count What's-His-Name-
that is. you don't want him as much as
you did-and you do say that it would
be the grandest thing In the world If
Maud could be the Princess of Gross.
tick
"Graustark, WILL"
That's what l said. Well, II you
want her TO be the Princess Of THAT
I'll see that she is. provided this fel
low Is u gentleman and worthy Of her.
The only prince l ever knew was
rascal, and I'm going to be careful
about this one. You remember that
measly"-
There Is no question about Prince
Robin" said she sharply.
II suppose the only question is. How
much will he wantT'
You mean-settlementw
"Sure."
Have you no romance in your soul.
William Blithers?"
II never believed in fairy STORIES"
said he grimly "And. what's more,
don't take any stock in cheap novels In
which American heroes 60 about mar.
rying into royal families and all that
sort Of rot. 1t isn't done. Lou. II you
want to marry into royal family
you've got to put up the coin."
prince Robins mother. the poor
Princess Yetive, married an American
! for love, let me remind you"
"Umph! Where Is this Groostock.
anyway"
Somewhere east Of the setting
sum- she quoted. "You must learn how
to pronounce it."
II never was good at foreign Ian
guages. BY the way. where Is Maud
, this afternoonT
Motoring"
He waited for additional information.
It was not vouchsafed, so he demand
ed somewhat fearfully:
"Who withT'
young Scoville."
, He scowled. "He's q loafer, Lou. No
good in the world. don't like the way
you let"-
"He is Of a very good family, my
dear. r.
els he-er--,n love with her?"
Certainly. Why not? Isn't every
one she meets In love with her"
/ IL suppose So" he admitted sheep
!shly. His face frightened. "And
there's no reason why this prince
shouldn't rail- heels over head, is there?
Well, there you are! That will make a
difference in the settlement, believe
me, difference Of couple Of millions
at least if''-
| She arose abruptly. You are posi-
lively disgusting, VIII. Can't you think
Of anything but
| Say, amt that Maudie coming up
the drive now? Sure it Is! By gra-
cious, did you ever see anything to
beat her? She's got 'em all beat
mile when 1t comes to looks and style
and Oh. by the way" lowering his
voice to q hoarse, confidential whisper,
II wouldn't say anything to her about
the marriage just yet If were you. l
want to LOOK him over first"
Prince Robin of Graustark was as
good looking chap as one would see
in a weeks journey. Little would one
suspect him Of being the descendant OF
a long and distinguished line OF princes
save for the unmistakable though In
deinable something In his eye that e1-
acted rather than invited the homage
of his fellow man. His laugh was a
free and merry one, his spirits as effer.
yescent as wine, his manner blithe and
boyish, yet beneath all this fair and
guileless exposition Of carelessness lay
the sober integrity Of caste.
His mother. the beautiful, gracious
and lamented Princess Yetive, set all
royal circles by the ears when she mar
! ried the American, Lorry, back In the
nineties. A special act Of the ministry
had legalized this union, and the son
of the American was not deprived OF
his right to succeed to the throne which
his forbears had occupied for centuries.
From his mother he had inherited the
right Of kings. from his father the
spirit of freedom; from his mother the
power Of majesty, from his father the
power to see beyond that majesty.
When little more than a babe in arms
he was orphaned, and the affairs OF
state fell upon the shoulders Of three
loyal and devoted men who served as
regents until he became Of age.
: He was seven when the great revolt
headed by Count Marlanx came 80
near to overthrowing the government,
and he behaved like the prince that ne
was. It was during those perilous
times that he came to know the gal
liant Truxton King. In whose home ne
was now a happy guest. But before
Truxton King he knew the lovely girl
t who became the wife OF that devoted
adventurer and who. to him, was al
! ways to be Aunt Lorraine"
As a very small boy he had paid two
visits to the home land Of his father.
but after the death Of bis parents his
valuable little person was guarded 80
jealousy by his subjects that not once
had he set foot beyond the borders Of
Graustark, except on two widely sep
arated occasions Of great pomp and
ceremony at the courts Of Vienna and
st. Petersburg. and a secret Journey to
London when he was seventeen. ct
appears that he was determined to see
great football match.) On each Of
these occasions he was attended BY
watchful members Of the cabinet and
/ v,v,lko a., ho ~nxu 20