Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-10-24

wouldn't be 80 ungracious," he said.
II couldn't possibly know. could II"
He leaned forward and indicated the
spot on the back of his head. first re-
moving his cap. She laughed nerv
ously, and then gently rubbed her I'm
gers over the thick hair.
There Is a dreadful lump!" she ex'
claimed. "Oh. how sorry l am. Do
do you feel faint or-or-I mean, is II
very painful?"
Not now" he replied, replacing his
cap and favoring her with his most
engaging smile.
She smiled In response, betrayine
not the slightest sign Of embarrass
ment.
Am to regard you as herof
IF you will be SO kind, please"
She laughed outright at this. r
think I rather like you, Mr.. Schmidt
she said, with unexpected candor.
~Oh, I fancy I'm not at all bad" said
he, after momentary stare Of aston
ishment. II am especially good In
rough weather." he went on. trying to
forget that he was a prince Of the
royal blood, a rather difficult matter
when one stops to consider he was not
In the habit Of hearing people say
that they rather liked him.
do your friends come from Wen
na?" she inquired abruptly.
YES" he said, and then saved his
face as usual by adding under his
breath, "but they don't live there" It
was not In him to lie outright: hence
the handy way Of appeasing his con-
science.
"They are very interesting looking
men. especially the younger. can
not remember when I have seen a
more attractive man."
HE is a splendid chap" exclaimed
Robin, with genuine enthusiasm. II
am very fond Of Dank."
She was silent for moment. Some
thing had failed. and she was rather
glad Of 1t.
"Do you like New York;" she asked.
Immensely. I met great many
delightful people there, Miss Guile.
You say you do not know the Blithers
familyf Mr.. Blthers Is a rare old
bird"
isn't there some talk of his daugh.
ter being engaged to the Prince Of
Graustarkf"
he felt that his ears were red THE
newspapers hinted at something Of
the sort, believe" He was suddenly
possessed by the curious notion that
he was being pumped" by his fair
companion. Indeed, certain insis-
tant note had crept into her voice, and
her eyes were searching his with an
ntentness that had not appeared In
them until now.
Have you seen himf
"The prince?"
Yes. What is he likef'
"I've seen pictures Of him." he
eQuivocated. Rather nice looking. I
should say"
"Of course he Is like all foreign no
blemen and will leap at the Blithers
millions If he gets the chance. l
sometimes feel sorry for the poor
wretches." There was more scorn
than pity In the way she said it. how
ever, and her velvety eyes were sud-
denly hard and uncompromising.
He longed to defend himself, In the
third person, but could not do so for
very strong and obvious reasons. he
allowed himself the privilege. how.
ever, of declaring that foreign noble
men are not always as black as they
are painted. And then. for q very ex.
cellent reason, he contrived to change
the subject by asking where she was
going on the continent
II may go to Vienna" she said. with
q smile that served to puzzle rather
than to delight him. He was more
than ever convinced that she was
playing with him. But pray do not
look 80 gloomy, Mr.. Schmidt, I shall
not make any demands upon your
time while I am there. You may
II am quite sure Of that" he inter
rupted. with his ready smile. "You
see, l am a person Of no consequence
In Vienna, while you All. well. as
an American girl you will be hobnob-
bing with the nobility while the hum.
BILE Schmidt sits afar OF and marvels
at the kindness Of q fate that befell
him in the middle Of the Atlantic
ocean, and yet curses the fate that
makes him unworthy Of the slightest
notice from the aforesaid American
girl. For. daresay, Miss Guile, you.
like all American girls. are ready to
leap at titles"
THAT really isn't fair. Mr.. Schmidt" !"
she protested. flushing. why should
you and l quarrel over a condition
that cannot apply to either Of US?
You are not a nobleman. and ! am
not q title seeking American girl So.
why all this beautiful ironyT
TT only remains for me to humhly
beg your pardon and to add that II
you come to Vienna my every waking
hour shall be devoted to the pleasure
Of
II am sorry I mentioned It, Mr..
Schmidt" she interrupted coldly.
"You may rest easy, for I shall not
keep you awake for a single hour. Be.
sides, may not 90 to Vienna at all"
II am sure you would like Vienna"
he said. somewhat chilled by her
manner.
II have been there with my par
ents, but it was q long time ago. I
once saw the emperor, and often have
I seen the wonderful Prince Lichten-
stein"
"Have you travelled extensively in
Europei"
She was smiling once more. ~
don't know what you would consider
extensively" she said. II was edu-
Gated in Paris, have spent innumer-
able winters In Rome and quite as
many summers in Scotland, England.
Switzerland, Germ
~ know who you arel" he cried
out enthusiastically. To his amaze
ment q startled expression leaped
into her eyes. "You are travelling un-
der an assumed name" She remain
ed perfectly still. watching him with
an anxious smile on her lips. "You
ara no other than Miss Baedekef. the