Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-08

marry to suit himself and not the
people of Graustark. Am l not right,
Count Quinnox:" demanded Mr.. Blith-
ers suddenly of the minister of war.
You are In position to know some
thing about him. Am not right
Every eye was on the count.
"Prince Robin will marry for love.
my lords. he said quietly. 81 am
forced to agree with Mr.. Blithers."
Baron Romano sank into his chair.
There was silence in the room for
many seconds.
A CLEAN Of triumph shot into the
eyes of Mr.. Blithers.
"My lords, find that my half hour
is almost up" he said, pulling out
his gold watch and comparing its
time with that Of the clock on the
wall Permit me to take my Gepar-
ture. l am content to let matters
shape themselves as they may. Allow
me, however. before leaving to assure
you of my most kindly interest in the
welfare of your state. You may be
pleased to know that it is not from
me that Graustark-did I get it right
that time?-will redeem her bonds
when they mature, but from my only
daughter. She is nearly twenty-one
years of age. On her twenty fifth
birthday l shall present to her-as a
gift-all of my holdings in Graus-
tark. She may do as she sees fit with
them. Permit me to wish you all
good day, my lords"
At the Regengetz a telegram await
ed him. 1t was from Maud
"I shall be in Edelweiss this week
without fail. I have something very
important to tell you" So it read.
Nine O'Clock Of a rainy night, on
the steep, winding road that climbed
the mountain side from the walled in
city to the crest on which stood the
famed monastery of st. Valentine-9
o'clock of night fraught with pleas
urable anticipation on the part of
one R. Schmidt. whose eager progress
up the slope was all too slow not
withstanding the encouragement Of
fered by the constituencies jehu,
who frequently beat his poor steeds
into a gallop over level stretches and
never allowed them to pause.
Late in the afternoon there had
come to the general postoffice letter
for Mr. R. Schmidt.
Her letter was brief She merely
acquainted him with the fact that
she had arrived in Edelweiss that
day from Ganlook, twenty miles
away, and was stopping at the Inn
Of the Stars. outside the city gates.
In closing she said that she would
be delighted to see him when it was
convenient for him to come to her
On receipt Of this singularly matter
Of fact letter he promptly dispatched
4 message TO Miss Guile, Inn Of the
Stars, saying that she might expect
him at that night
| Stealing away from the castle al
night. he entered the ramshackle cab
! that Hobbs had engaged for the ex-
| petition and which awaited him not
far from the private entrance to the
park.
/ The mud covered vehicle was near
1 ing the Inn of the Stars when Robin
stuck his head out of the window and
! directed Hobbs to drive slower
whoa" said Hobbs suddenly
"'Ello, wot the ell is
A dark figure had sprung into the
roadway near the horses heads and
was holding up a warning hand.
Robins head came through the
window.
at is I. m'sieur," said the voice OF
Marie. Miss Guile's French maid.
Disappointment filled his soul.
what has happened" he cried
grasping the girls arm. HAS she
changed her mind?"
eyes, m'sieur. She will not receive
you at the Inn Of the Stars She bids
you to drive to the end of this street
where there is a garden with a Mag.
var band and the most delicious re.
freshments to be had under vine GOV.
ered"-
"a public GARDEN" exclaimed
Robin in utter dismay.
"Pingari's, sir" said Hobbs. q.
know the place we'll. 1t is very
| quiet. orderly place"
~ am not accustomed to meeting
people in public gardens. T.
"Nor is my mistress, m'sieur. as
sure you. May put flea In m'sieur's
ear? The place is quite empty to
| night, and besides there is the drive
back to the inn with mademoiselle
Is not that something, m'sieur?"
"By jove." exclaimed Robin. "Driv.