The Glasgow courier., 1916-09-22

be on behOlding the humble r.
Schmidt in the role Of 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 we'll down in front, and for
a second his heart seemed to stand
still. Would she be with them? 1t was
with distinct sense of relief that he
realized that she was not with the
smiling Americans.
Mr.. Blithers waved his hat and, in
stead of shouting the Incompetent
sible greeting Of the native specta-
tors. called out in vociferous tones:
"Welcome home! Welcome! Hur-
rah!"
"Oh. what remarkably handsome.
manly boy he is. WILL" sighed Mrs.
Blithers.
Mr.. Blithers nodded his head
proudly. "He certainly is. I'll bet
my head that Maud Is crazy about
him already. She can't help 1t. Lou.
That trip on the Jupiter was a god
| send. Well have plain sailing from
now on, LOU"
Mr.. Blithers indeed experienced
plain sailing for the ensuing twenty
hours. 1t was not until just before he
set forth at 2 the next afternoon to
attend by special appointment
meeting of the cabinet in the council
chamber at the castle that he en-
countered the first symptom of
squalls ahead.
He had sent his secretary to the
castle with a brief note suggesting
| an early conference. It naturally
would be of an informal character, as
there was no present business before
them. The contracts had already
been signed by the government and
by his authorized agents. So far as
the loan was concerned there was
nothing more to be said.
There was a distinct cloud on the
financial horizon, however, a vague
shadow at present, but prophetic Of
storm. 1t was perfectly clear to the
mobiles that when these bonds ma
sition to exact payment, and as they
matured In twelve years from date
he was likely to be pretty much alive
and kicking when the hour Of reck-
oning arrived.
Mr.. Blithers was in the mood to be
amiable. He anticipated considerable
pleasure in visiting the ancient halls
of his prospective grandchildren.
The first shock to the placidity of
Mr.. Blithers came with the brief note
in reply to his request for an infor-
NAL conference. The lord chamber
lain curtly Informed him that the
cabinet would be in session at and
would be pleased to grant him an au-
dience of half an hour. depending on
his promptness in appearing.
Mr.. Blithers was not used to being
granted audiences. He consoled him
self. however, with the thought that
matters would not always be as they
were at present. There would be q
decided change Of tune later on.
It would be folly to undertake the
depletion of Mr.. Bllthers' first i'm
pressions of the castle and its glo-
ries. To begin with. he lost no small
amount Of his assurance when he
discovered that the great gates in the
wall surrounding the park were
guarded by resplendent dragons who
demanded his "pass." After the off,
Ger In charge had inspected the lord
chamberlain's card as II he had never
seen one before. he ceremoniously in
dicated to a warden that the gates
were to be opened. There was a great
clanking Of chains. the drawing Of
iron bolts, the whirl of q windlass,
and the ponderous gates swung slow
ly ajar.
Mr.. Blithers caught his breath
and from that instant until he found
himself crossing the great hall in the
wake Of an attendant delegated to
conduct him to the council chamber
his sensations are not to be described
1t Is only necessary to say that he
was in a reverential condition. and
that Is saying great deal for Mr..
Blithers.
He was ushered into chamber.
at the opposite end of which was q
this door stood a slim, erect figure in
the red, blue and gold uniform of an
officer of the castle guard. As Mr..
Blithers approached this rigid figure
he recognized friend, and a warm
glow pervaded his heart. There could
be no mistaking the smart mustache
and supercilious eyebrows. 1t was
Lieutenant Dank.
"How do you do?" said MIR. Blith-
ers. "Glad to see you again." His
voice sounded unnatural. He extend
ed his hand.
Dank gave him a ceremonious sa-
lutte. bowed slightly. but without q
smile. and then threw open the door.
"Mr. Blithers. my lords" he an
nounced. and stood aside to let the
stranger in strange land pass
within.