Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1916-06-29


. CHANGING at the huge old clock abov
. the coor. the prime minister assume,
q most businesslike air. ut will
: doubtless crafty you to know tina
: three-fourths Of the bonds have beef
:, deposited, Mr.. Blithers, and the re
I matnder will be gathered in durinl
. the week. A week will give them sui
fcient time, will Il not, Count Lag
= xar7"
II may safely say that all the bond.
will be In our hands by next Tues.
day at the latest" said the minister
OF the treasury. He was thin, as
celtic man; his keen eyes were fixed
rather steadily upon Mr.. Blithers,
After a moments pause he went on:
1--WE are naturally interested in your
extensive purchases Of our outstand-
ing bonds, Mr.. Blithers. / refer to
the big blocks you have acquired in
London, Paris and Berlin"
"Well. investment, that's all. Your
credit is sound and your resources
unquestioned. your bonds gilt edge"
at Is most gratifying to Graustark
to know that you value our securities
30 highly as a legacy" said Count
Lazzar suavely. "May l venture the
hope, however, that your life may be
prolonged beyond the term of their
existence? They expire in a very
few years-a dozen, in fact"
"Oh, think I can hang on that
long" said Mr.. Blithers, a little more
at ease. He was saying to himself
that these fellows were not SO bad
after all. "Still one never knows.
may be dead in year. My daughter
but, of course, you will pardon me
II don't go into my private affairs.
fear have already said too much"
"On the contrary, sir. we are all
only too willing to be edited. The
workings of an intelligence such as
yours cannot fail to be Of interest to
us who are so lacking In the power |
to cope with great undertakings"
II am only too willing, my lords, to
give you the benefit of my expert
ence."
The prime minister tapped reflec-
lively upon the table top with his
fingers for a moment or two.
"Thank you," he said. ave are at
this very moment In something of a
Quandary in respect to the renewal
Of treaty with one of our neigh
bors. For the past twenty years we
have been In alliance with our next
ioor neighbors. Axphain on the north
md Dawsbergen on the south and
,ast The triple alliance will end
MS year unless renewed. Up to the
present our relations have been most
unable. Axphain stands ready to
xtend our mutual protective agree
aent for another term of years, but
'awsbergen is lukewarm and in
lined to withdraw"
"What's the grievance?" INQUIRED
lr. Blithers bluntly. He was edging
lto familiar waters now. "What's
1e matter with Dawsbergen? Mon
controversy" n
"Not at ALL" said Lazzar hastily. n
"Why not let 'em withdraw" said r
r. Blithers. eve can get along o,
ithout them" -
There was a general uplifting Of ii
lads at the use of the pronoun and
more liked concentration of gaze. "a
The baron leaned forward. still m
piping the table top with his long. fc
m fingers.
The report that Prince Robin ia IT
marry your daughter, Mr.. Blith- m
3, has reached the Prince Of DAVIS
rgen's ears. 1t is only natural that ey
should feel resentfuL For fifteen
lrs there has been an understand. IL
that the Crown Princess of DAVIS hi
rgen and the Prince of Graustark Ii,
re one day to be welded to each VIZ
ler." r.,
ir. Blithers settled back in his sh
iir. at seems to me that he is me
King mountain out of a mole yo
l." -
aron Romano shrank perceptibly. pie
devolYes upon me, sir, as spokes- me
for the ministry, the court and III,
people OF Graustark. to inform VIII
that marriage between our da,
ace and any other than the Crown yes
ncess Of Dawsbergen is not to be Dir
sidered as possible" Elf
ny lords" said Mr.. Biithers, ris- tar
his face suddenly pale, ~ beg the
e to assure you that my daugh- goo
happiness is Of far more impor- A
e to me than all the one horse ed
cipalities in the world. I do not 81
Mt your attitude. nor do resent wit
haste In conveying to me your INN
. on the subject It may be d. N
lacy to go straight to question the
get It over with, but IT isn't al the
diplomacy to go of half cooked. city
u say with perfect candor that 1 fam
ID like to see my daughter the o'cl,
'ess Of Graustark, but. By Cad. ural
mt you to understand that her one
wishes In the matter are to gov up
nine in the end. I want to say witt
~ now. all Of you. that II my ferer
should love your prince and he who
Id love her in return, there isn't into
xer below heaven that can keep nere