Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1916-06-02

wright, 1914. by Dodd. Mead and Comp
block was covered in so short time
that Robins final kiss was still warm
on Bedelia's lips when the gallant
cab rolled up to the portals of the
Inn of the Stars.
Mr.. Blithers had had trying day
/ Of 1t. Besides other annoyances. his
wife raked him over the Goals for
what she was pleased to call his
senseless persistence in the face of
what she regarded as unalterable op-
position on the part Of the cabinet
and house of mobiles.
And SO it was that Mr.. Blithers.
feeling in need of cheer. arranged a
little dinner for that evening at the
Inn of the Stars. He invited his prin-
cipal London lawyer and his wife.
also his secondary London lawyer.
his French lawyer and two attractive
young women who 1t appears were
related to the latter. although at
quite a distance. and then concluded
that 1t was best to speak to his own
wife about the little affair. She said
she couldn't even think Of going.
Maud might arrive that very night.
and she certainly was not going out
| Of the hotel with such an event as
that in prospect.
"But Simpsons wife is coming"
protested Mr.. Blithers. land Peri
cault's cousins. Certainly you must
come. jolly little affair to liven US
up a bit. Now. Lou
ri am quite positive that Lady
Simpson will change her mind when
she hears that Pericault's cousins
are going" said Mrs. Blithers acidly.
He thought for moment. "If that's
the case, Lou. you'll have to come. II
only to save my reputation" he said.
ri didn't think 1t Of Pericault."
| Mrs. Blithers relented. She went to
the dinner. and so did Lady Simpson.
despite Pericault's cousins, and the
only ones in the party who appeared
to be uneasy were the cousins them
selves.
!; The millionaire's table was placed
in the very center Of the dining room
and plates were laid for eight. At
the last minute Mr.. Blithers ordered
the number increased to nine.
"My daughter may put in an ap-
pearance." he explained to Lady
Simpson. ri have left word at the
hotel for her to come up II by any
chance she happens to arrive on the
evening train"
"Haven't you heard from her. Mr..
Blithers?" inquired the austere lady.
regarding the top Of his head with
an lily directed lorgnon.
eve have" said he. "but not def
nitely."
i Two hours later Mr.. Blithers look
ed at his watch again. The party
was quite gay; at least so per cent
disorderly.
"That train has been in for = an
hour" said the host. ri guess Maud
didn't come. left word for the h9tel
to call me up If she arrived"
ri also told 'em to send up any tele-
gram that might come" he informed
his wife, who merely lifted her eye
brows. They had been lowered per-
ceptibly in consequence Of the ebul-
Hence of Pericault's cousins.
The vivacious young women were
attracting a great deal of attention
to their table. Smart diners in the
immediate neighborhood appeared to
be a trifle shocked. Three dignified
looking gentlemen seated near the
door got up and left the room.
eve really must be going," said
| Mrs. Blithers nervously.
GAIL right" said Mr.. Blithers. "Call
the cars up, waiter"
Out in the wide, brilliantly lighted
foyer a few late stayers were walt
Ing for their conveyances to be an
nounced. AS the four departing men,
bers Of the Blithers party grouped
themselves near the big doors. impa-
tient to be off. a brass buttoned boy
came up and delivered q telegram to
the host.
He was on the point of tearing open
the envelope when his eyes fell upon
two people who had just entered the
hall from without. a man and woman
clad in raincoats. At the same in
slant the former saw Mr.. Blithers
Clutching his companions arm, he
directed her attention to the million
( aire.
"Now for it. Bedelia." he whispered
excitedly.
Bedelia gazed calmly at Mr.. Blith-
ers, and Mr.. Blithers gazed blankly
at the Prince of Graustark. Then the
great financier bowed very deeply
and called out:
"Good evening, prince!"
| He received no response to his po-
lite greeting, for the prince was star
ing at Bedelia as If stupefied. The
millionaire's face was very red with
modification as he turned it away.
"He-he doesn't recognize you,"
gasped Robin in amazement.
"Who?" she asked. her ewes searrh-
ing the room with an eager. inQuir-
ing look.
"Your father" he said.
She gave him a ravishing. delight
ed smile.
"Oh. it is so wonderful. Robin.
have fooled you completely. That
man isn't my father"
"That's Mr.. Blithers. or I am as
blind as q bat," he exclaimed.
'Ts 1t, indeed? The one reading the
telegram, with his eyes sticking out
| Of his head?"
Robins head was swimming. "Good
1 4