Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-05

"She has disappeared, highness
quite effectually. That is all that !
can say" said Gourou, and Robin was
conscious of sudden chill and the
rush of cold moisture to- his brow
But let US prepare to confront an
even more substantial condition. A
prospective father in law is descend.
ing upon our land. He is cropping in
the dark, and he Is angry. He has
lost a daughter somewhere In the
wilds of Europe, and he realizes that
he cannot hope to become the grand.
father Of princes unless he can pro.
duce mother for them. At present
he seems to be desperate. Have |
told you that he was in this CITY last
night? He arrived at the Bristol a
few hours prior to the significant de-
parture of Miss Guile. Moreover. he
has chartered a special train and is
leaving today for Edelweiss. Count
Quinnox has taken the precaution to
advise the prime minister of his ap-
proach and has impressed upon him
the Importance of decrying any sort
of popular demonstration against him
on his arrival. Romano reports that
the people are in an angry mood. |
would suggest that you prepare, in a
way, to placate them, now that Miss
Guile has dropped out Of sight"
: ,ot 81 ha
slant that the city of Edelweiss and
the court of Graustark were unimpress.
ed by the swift approach and abrupt
arrival of Mr. Blithers. His coming
had been heralded for days in advance.
The city was rudely expectant, the
court uneasy.
When the special train pulled into
the station Mr. Blithers turned to his
wife and said:
Cheer up. Lou. This isn't a fu-
neral"
But there is quite a mob out there"
she said, peering through the car win
/ dow. How can we be sure that they
are friendly"
Don't you worry" said Mr.. Blithers
confidently. They are not likely to
throw rocks at the goose that lays
the golden egg"
! The crowd was big, immobile, surly.
1t lined the sidewalks in the vicinity
Of the station and stared with curl
Gus, half closed eyes at the portly
capitalist and his party, which, by the
way, was rendered somewhat impos-
ing in size by augmentation in the
shape of lawyers from Paris and Lon
don, clerks and stenographers from
/ the Paris Office, to say nothing of a
lady's maid, valet, a private secre.
tary and doctor.
/ He was somewhat amazed and dis
gruntled by the absence of silk hat
ambassadors from the castle, with
| words Of welcome for him on his ar
rival. There was a plentiful supply
Of policemen, but no cabinet ministers.
He was on the point Of censuring his
secretary for not making it clear to
the government that he was due to
arrive at such and such an hour and
minute when a dapper young man in
uniform-he couldn't tell whether he
was a patrolman or captain-came
up and saluted.
/ Il am William W Blithers," said the
multimillionaire sharply.
81 am an official guide and inter
81 ha II
man suavely.
"Not necessary-not necessary at
all" exploded Mr.. Blithers. any one
desiring to speak to me will have to
do it in English" He then marched
out to the carriages.
7 He was in some doubt at first. but
as his carriage passed swiftly be-
tween the staring ranks on the side
walks he began to doff his hat and
bow to the right and left. His smiles
we're returned by the multitude, and
so his progress was more or less of a
triumph after all.
! At the RegengetZ he found addi-
tional cause for irritation No one
was there to receive him except the
ingratiating manager Of the estab-
lishment.
The manager rubbed his hands and
smiled. "This is one of our gala days.
Mr.. Blithers. You could not have ar
rived at time more opportune. l
have taken the precaution to reserve
chairs for you on the veranda. The
procession will pass directly in front
of the hotel on it's way to Castle ave-
nue..
what procession" demanded Mr..
Blithers.
"The prince is returning today
from his trip around the world" said
the manager.
"He ought to have been back long
ago." said Mr.. Blithers wrathfully
and mopped his brow with a hand
rendered unsteady by a mental con-
vulsion. He was thinking of his hat
lifting experience.
True to schedule, the procession
passed the hotel at 5.
Prince Robin sat In the royal coach
and his brown, handsome, manly
face was aglow with smiles. Instead
of a silk hat he lifted gay and
far from Immaculate conception In
straw; instead of glittering uni
form he wore a suit OF blue serge and
a peculiarly American tie of crimson
l,o lilo