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

marry without hIs eonseut'
money enough to buy Graustark. but
he hasn't enough to buy grandchildren
that won't grow, you know"
Count Quinnox looked at the prince
rather pityingly. 1T appears to be his
way Of pulling the strings, my boy.
he has loaned us something Like $751;
100000. We have agreed to deposit
our public service bonds as security
against the loan, 30 that practically
eQualizes the situation. It becomes
purely business transaction. but he
sees far ahead. This loan Of his ma
lures at practically the same time that
our first series Of government bonds
are due for payment. It will be e1-
tremely difficult for a small country.
such as Graustark. to raise nearly
$40, ZOO. 900 in, say ten years. The Eu-
ropean syndicates undoubtedly would
be willing to renew the loan under a
new issue. I think It Is called refund
ing or something OF the sort. But Mr..
Blithers will be in a position to say
no to any such arrangement. He holds
the whip hand and
But, my dear count" interrupted
the prince, what II he does hold 1T
Does he expect to wait ten years be-
fore exercising his power? You for
get that marriage is his ambition. Isn't
he taking desperate risk In assum-
ing that I will not marry before the
ten years are up! And. for that mat
ter, his daughter may decide TO wed
some other chap who
That's just the point" said Quin-
no1. HE is arranging It 30 that you
can't marry without his consent"
~The deuce you say!"
You shall not marry into the Blith-
ers family. my Lad. II we can help IT,"
said the count, pulling at his mus.
taches.
II should say mott" said Dank. feel.
ing for his.
Il should as soon marry q daughter
Of Hobbs" said R. Schmidt, getting
up from his chair with restored
sprightliness. IF he had one, I
mean"
THE bonds Of matrimony and the
bonds Of government are by no
means synonymous" said Dank. and
felt rather proud of himself when his
companions favored him with stare
Of Amusement The excellent neuten-
ant was not given to persifage.
Shall we send wireless to Blith-
ers congratulating him on his coupf"
inquired the prince gayly.
NO." said the count. "Congratulat.
ing ourselves on his coup is better"
"Good! And you might add that we
also are trusting to luck. It may give
him something to think about. And
now where Is Hobbs?" said royalty.
"Here. SIR" said Hobbs. appearing
IN the bedroom door.
"Thank you. Hobbs. You may OF.
der luncheon for us In the Ritz res
taurant. The head waiter has been
instructed to reserve the corner table
for the whole voyage"
In two minutes Hobbs was back with
the information that two ladies had
taken the table and refused to be
dislodged. although the head waiter
had vainly tried to convince them
that 1t was reserved for the passage
by R. Schmidt and party.
~ am quite sure, sir, he put Il to
them very hagreeably and politely,
but the young lady gave i'm the
'aughtiest look I've ever seen on NOR
tai fice, sir. and he came back to me
80 tumble that I could 'ardly believe
he was the cad waiter"
4 hope he was not unnecessarily
persistent" said the prince. annoyed.
1T really Is Of no consequence where
we sit"
ladies first, world without end"
said Dank. Especially at sea-"
Twenty minutes later r. Schmidt,
seated In the Ritz restaurant, hap
pened to look fairly into the eyes Of
the loveliest girl he had ever seen,
and on the instant forgave the ex-
traordinsry delinquency Of the hith-
erto infsllible Hobbs.