Abilene weekly reflector., 1916-06-22
me neoDIe are In an angry nU5u.


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 fu
neral"
But there is quite 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.
It 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 tmpos-
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, 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 1t clear to
the government that he was due to
arrive at such and such an hour and
minute when dapper young man In
uniform-he couldn't tell whether he
was patrolman or a captain-came
up and saluted.
II am William W. Blithers," said the
mult1millionaire sharply.
T am an official guide and inter-
prefer. SIR" announced the young
man suavely.
"Not necessary-not necessary at
ALL" exploded Mr.. Blithers. ANY one
desiring. to speak to me VIII have to
do It IN English" He then marched
out to the carriages.
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
were returned by the multitude, and
SO his progress was more or less Of
triumph after all.
At the Regengetz he found addi-
tional cause for irritation. No one
was there to receive him except the
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 its 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 S.
Prince Robin sat in the royal coach,
and his brown. handsome, manly
face was aglow with smiles. Instead
Of 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
peculiarly American tie of crimson
hue. He looked more like popular
athlete returning from conquests
abroad than prince of ancient line
age. But the crowd cheered itself
hoarse over this bright faced young
ster who rode by In a coach Of gold
and brandished a singularIy unregal
chapeau.
His alert eyes were searching the
crowd along the street, In the bal.
comics and windows with an eager
intensity. He was looking for the
sweet familiar face Of the loveliest
girl on earth. If she were there he
wondered what her thoughts might
be on beholding the humble R.
Schmidt in the role Of a royal prince
receiving the laudations OF the low
ing multitude!
Passing the Regengetz, his eyes
swept the rows OF cheering people
banked upon Its wide terrace and
verandas. he saw Mr.. and Mrs.
Blithers wen down in front, and for
a second his heart seemed to stand
still Would she be with them? Il was
with a distinct sense OF relief that he
realized that she was not with the
smiling Americans, -..