The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1916-05-25
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

Capital" said Mr.. Blithers with
enthusiasm. He happened to know
that it WIS a "short cut" to Red Roof
and less than a mile as the crow flies.
True. there was something of an
ascent ahead of them. but there was
also corresponding descent at the
other end. Besides. he was confident
he could keep up with the long leg
ged youngster by the paradoxical
process of holding back. The prince.
having suggested the route. couldn't
very well be arbitrary in traversing
it. Mr.. Blithers regarded the susges-
ton as an invitation.
They struck off into the narrow
woodland road. not precisely side by
side. but somewhat after the fashion
Of q horseback rider and his groom.
or. more strictly speaking. as a
knight and his vassal. Robin started
of SO briskly that Mr.. Blithers fell
behind q few PAGES and had to exert
himself considerably to keep from los
ing more ground as they took the
flrst steep rise. The road was full OF
ruts and cross ruts and Uttered with
powders that had ambled down the
mountain side in the spring moving.
To save his life. Mr.. Blithers couldn't
from rut to rut and from rock to rock
with the fidelity OF a magnetized
atom. seldom putting his foot where
he meant to put 1t and never by any
chance achieving a steady stride. He
would take one long. purposeful step
and then a couple Of short "feelers,"
progressing very much as man
tramps over a newly plowed field.
At the top of the rise Robin consid-
erately slackened his pace, and the
chubby gentleman drew alongside
somewhat out of breath. but as cheer
full as a cricket.
"Going too fast for you. Mr.. Blith.
ers?" inquired Robin.
Not at ALL" said Mr.. Blithers. "By
the way. prince" he went on. cunning
ly seizing the young mans arm and
thereby putting a check on his speed
'or the time being at least. 81 want to
explain my daughters unfortunate alb
,ence last night. You must have
thought it very strange. Naturally 1t
vas unavoidable. The poor girl is
really quite heartbroken. | was par
ticularly anxious for you and Maud to
meet under the conditions that obtain.
ed last night" he went on. with re-
gretful look at the log they were pass
ing. Nothing could have been more
-er-ripping
81 hear from every one that your
daughter is most attractive" said
Robin. SORRY not to have met her.
sfr. Blithers."
"Oh. you'll meet her all right. prince.
She's coming home today. ! believe
Mrs. Blithers is expecting you to din.
ner tonight. She
.I'm sure there must be some mis-
lake" began Robin, but was cut short.
81 was on my way to Red Roof to
ask you and Count Quiddux to give US
this evening in connection with that
little affair we are arranging. 1t is
most imperative that 1t should be to-
night. as my attorney is coming up for
the conference"
Robin did not like. II savored of AFRO
gance.
.T daresay Count Quinnox can attend
10 all the details, Mr.. Blithers. | have
The power OF veto. of course. but
shall be guided by the counsel OF my
ministers. You need have no hest
fancy in dealing with
"That's not the point, prince. am
business man-as perhaps you
know. / make 1t point never to deal
with any one except the bead of a
concern. If you'll pardon my way OF
putting it. 1t isn't right to speak OF
Growstock as a concern, but your
understand, of course. Figure OF
| speech.
az can only assure you, sir, that
Graustark is in a position to indem-
nifty you against any possible chance
of loss. You will be amply secured