Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-10-10
CHAPTER v.
Prince Robin Is Asked to Stand Up.

AIN Tue same evening fTuCe
Robin, at Red Roof, received q
IL long distance telephone com.
munication from New York city
The count was on the wire. He i'm
parted the rather startling news that
William W. Blithers had volunteered
to take care of the loan out Of his own
private means.
Robin was jubilant- The thought had
not entered his mind that there could
be anything sinister In this amazing
proposition Of the great f1nancier.
If Count Quinnox himself suspected
Mr.. Blithers of an Interior motive the
suspicion was rendered doubtful by the
evidence Of sincerity on the part OF
the capitalist who professed no senti'
ment In the matter, but insisted on the
most complete indemnifcation by the
Graustark government. Even King was
impressed by the absolute fairness OF
the proposition. Mr.. Blithers demand
ed no more than the banks We're
asking In the shape Of indemnify
first lien mortgage for twelve years on
all properties owned and controlled by
the government and the deposit Of all
bonds held by the people with the un-
derstanding that the interest would be
paid to them regularly, less a small
per cent as commission. His protec-
ton would be complete, for the people
Of Graustark owned fully four-flfths of
the bonds issued by the government for
the construction Of public service In
stitutions. These by consent Of Mr..
Blithers were to be limited to three
utilities railroads, telegraph and Ca
mails. These properties, as Mr.. Blith-
ers was by way Of knowing, were abb
solutely sound and self supporting.
Robin inquired whether he was to
come to New York at once In relation
to the matter and was Informed that
It would not be necessary at present.
MI. Blithers, however, would give him.
self the pleasure Of calling upon the
prince at Red Roof later In the week,
when the situation could be discussed
over a dish Of tea or q cup Of lemon
ade. That Is precisely the way Mr.
Blithers put 1t.
The next afternoon Mrs. Blithers left
cards at Red Roof-or, rather, the foot
man left them-and on the day fol.
lowing the Kings and their guests re-
ceived invitations to ball at Blither-
wood on the ensuing Friday, but four
days off. While Mrs. King and the
two young men were discussing the In.
vitation the former was called to the
telephone. Mrs. Blithers herself was
speaking.
II hope you will pardon me for call
ing you up, Mrs. King, but I wanted
to be sure that you can come ON the
18th. We want 80 much to have the
prince and his friends with us. Mr..
Blithers has taken great fancy to
Prince Robin and Count Quinnox, and
he declares the whole affair Will be q
fiasco If they are not to be here"
1T Is good Of you to ask us, Mrs.
Bithers. The prince Is planning to
leave for Washington and fear-
"Oh, you must prevail upon him to
remain over, my dear Mrs. King. We
are to have a lot Of people up from
Newport and Tuxedo-you know the
crowd-it's the real crowd, and I'm
sure he will enjoy meeting them. Mr..
Blithers has arranged for special
train to bring them up-a train de
luxe, you may be sure, both as to
equipment and occupant. Zabo's or.
chestra, too. A notion seized Us last
night to give the ball, which accounts
for the short notice. It's the way we
do everything-on minutes notice.
"Of course we shall insist on the
prince receiving with US. He Is our
piece de resistance. YOU
'T'm sure it will be awfully jolly,
Mrs. Blithers. What did you sayT
IT beg pardonT'
"I'm sorry. I was speaking to the
prince. He just called upstairs to me-"
"What does he sayT
'It was really nothing. He was
asking about Hobbs"
"Hobbs? Tell him, please. that II
he has any friends he would like to
have invited we shall be only too
proud to-
ooh. thank you! I'll tell him."
'WelI, perhaps Maud and may run
in and see you for q few minutes to-
morrow or next day, just to talk
things over little-what's that.
Maud? Ibeg your pardon, Mrs. King.
Ahem! Well, I'll call you up tomor-
row, II you. don't mind being both
cred about a silly old ball. Goodby." T"
Mrs. King confronted Robin In the
lower hall a few seconds later and
roundly berated him for shouting up
the steps that Hobbs ought to be in
vited to the ball. Prince Robin rolled
on a couch and roared with delight.
Lieutenant Dank, as became an Of
f1cer Of the Royal guard, stood at at
tention-in the bow window with his
back to the room, very red about the
ears and rigid to the bursting point.
I suppose, however, we'll have to
keep on the good side Of the Blithers
syndicate" said Robin soberly, after
his mirth had subsided before her
wrath. "Good Lord, Aunt Lorraine, I
simply cannot go up there and stand
in line like freak In a side show for
all the ladies and girls to cape at.
I'll get sick the day OF the party.
that's what I'll do. and you can tell
'em how desolated I am over my mis-
fortune"
"They've got their eyes on you.
Bobby" she said fatty. "You can't
escape so easily as all that. If you're
not very, very careful they'll have
you married to the charming Miss
Maud before you can say Jack Rab-
bit"
"Think so? Is she good lookingT
'well, would consider her to be q
very good looking girl"
"Blonde?"
"Mixed. Light brown hair and very
dark eyes and lashes. A little taller
than I, more graceful and a splendid
horsewoman. I've seen her riding"
"Astride?"
mo, I've seen her III ball gown
too. Most men think she's stunning"
"Well, let's have a game Of billiards" !"
said he, dismissing Maud In way that
would have caused the proud Mr.. Blith-
ers to reel with indignation.