Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-10-17

Nay be pardoned for observing
that Mrs. King. greatly as love her.
Is not invested with the power to
govern my actions?" said Robin
haughtily.
"And may I be pardoned for sug-
gesting that it is your duty to your
people to completely understand this
loan Of mine before you agree to ac-
cept it?" said Mr.. Blithers, COM
pressing his lips.
"Forgive me, Mr.. Blithers. but 1t
is not altogether improbable that
Graustark may secure the money
elsewhere"
"It is not only improbable, but i'm
possible" said Mr.. Blithers fatty.
Tmpossible?"
absolutely" said the millionaire.
30 significantly that Robin would
have been a dolt not to grasp the sit
uation. Nothing could have been
clearer than the fact that Mr.. Blith-
ers believed it to be in his power to
block any effort Graustark might
make in other directions to secure the
much needed money.
"Will you come to the point. Mr..
Blithers?" said the young prince,
stopping abruptly in the middle OF
the road and facing his companion.
"What are you trying to get at?"
Mr.. Blithers was not long in get
ting to the point. In the first place,
he was hot and tired, and his shoes
were hurting; in the second place, he
felt that he knew precisely how to
handle these money seeking scions Of
nobility. He planted himself square,
ly in front Of the prince and jammed
his hands deep into his coat pockets.
"The day my daughter is married to
the man Of my choice I will hand
over to that man exactly twenty mil
lion dollars" he said slowly. impress
sively.
eyes; 60 on"
"The sole object have in life is to
see my girl happy and at the same
time at the top Of the heap. She is
worthy of any mans love. She is as
good as gold. She
"The point is this. then: You
would like to have me for q son-in-
law"
eyes," said Mr.. Blithers.
Robin grinned. He was amused in
spite of himself. You take 1t for
granted that can be bought"
II have not made any such state.
ment."
"And how much will you hand over
to the man Of her choice when she
marries him% inquired the young
man.
"You will be her choice" said the
other without the quiver of an eyelash.
How can you be sure Of that? Has
she no mind Of her own"
1T isn't incomprehensible that she
should fall in love with you. is it?"
1T might be possible. Of course. pro.
vided she is not already in love with
some one else."
Mr.. Blithers started. Have you
heard any one say that? But that's
nonsense. She's not In love with any
one, take 1t from me. And just to
show you how fair am to her-and to
YOU'LL stake my head you fall in
love with each other before you've
been together week"
1T Is possible that could fall In
love with her inside Of week or even
sooner. But don't intend to, Mr..
Blithers, any more than she intends to
fall in love with me. You say that
100000 will 60 to the man she mar
ries If he is your choice. Well, I don't
give a hang, sir, II you make 1t $780,.
100000. I am not for sale, Mr.. Blith.
ers. Good morning." Robin turned
into the wood and was sauntering
away with his chin high in the air
when Mr.. BIthers called out to him
from behind:
II shall expect you tonight, Just the
same"
Robin halted, amazed by the mans
assurance. He retraced his steps to
the roadside.
''Wil you pardon slight feeling OF
curiosity on my part, Mr. Blithers, II ]
ask whether your daughter consents
to the arrangement you propose. Does
she approve Of the scheme3"
Mr.. Blithers was honest. "No, she
doesn't" he said succinctly. "At
least, not at present. I'll be honest
with you. She stayed away from the
ball last night simply because she
did not want to meet you. That's the
kind Of a girl she is"
"By jove, I take of my hat to her!"
cried Robin. "She's brick. after all.
Take it from me, Mr.. Blithers. you
will not be able to hand over twenty
millions without her consent. be-
lieve that should enjoy meeting her,
now that I come to think Of 1t. It
would be pleasure to exchange con-
fdences with girl Of that sort. Shall
I instruct your chauffeur to come for
you up here, or will you walk back
to-
'T'N walk to Red Roof" said Mr..
Blithers doggedly. "rm going to ask
Mrs. King to let you of for tonight"