The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-03-11

far from immaculate conception in
 straw; instead of a glittering uni form he wore a suit of blue serge and a peculiarly American tie of crimson hue. He looked more like a popular athlete returning from conquests abroad than a prince of ancient line age. But the crowd cheered itself hoarse over this bright faced young ster who rode by in coach of gold and brandished singularly unregal chapeau.
 His alert eyes were searching the | crowd along the street, in the bal comics and windows with an eager intensity. He was looking for the | sweet familiar face of the IoveIiest girl on earth. If she were there he 1 wondered what her thoughts might be on beholding the humble R. 1 Schmidt in the role of royal prince receiving the laudations of the lov- ing multitude!
 Passing the Regengetz, his eyes swept the rows of cheering people banked upon it's wide terrace and verandas He saw Mr. and Mrs B11thNrs well down in front, and for l a second his heart seemed to stand still. Would she be with then2 It was l with a distinct sense of relief that he 1 realized that she was not with the smiling Americans.
 MT. B1ithers waved his hat and, in stead of shouting the incomprehen- sible greeting of the native specta- tors, called out in voeiferous tones: s"Welcome homei Welcome! Hur- rah!"
 ooh, what a remarkably handsome. manly boy he is, Will,'' sighed Mrs. Blithers.
 MT. B1ithers nodded his head proudly. "He certainly is. I'll bet my head that Maud is crazy about him already. She can't help it, Lou. That trip on the Jupiter was a god send wen have plain sailing from now on, Lou.'
 MT. B1ithers indeed experienced plain sailing for the ensuing twenty hours. It was not until just before he set forth at the next afternoon to attend by special appointment a meeting of the cabinet in the council chamber at the castle that he en- countered the first symptom of squalls ahead.
 He had sent his secretary to the castle with a brief note suggesting an early conference. It naturally would be of an informal character, as
 
 them. The contracts had already been signed by the government and by his authorized agents. So far as the loan was concerned there was nothing more to be said,
 There. was a distinct cloud on the financial horizon, however, a vague shadow at present, but prophetic of storm. It was perfectly clear to the nobles that when these bonds ma tured MT. Blithers would be in a po- sitton to exact payment, and as they matured in twelve years from date he was likely to be pretty much alive and kicking when the hour of reck- oning arrived.
 MT. B1ithers was in the mood to be amiable. lie anticipated considerable pleasure in visiting the ancient halls of his prospective grandchildren. I
 The first shock to the placidity of 4 MT. B1ithers came with the brief note in reply to his request for an 1nfor- nal conference. The lord chamber lain curtly informed him that the cabinet would be in session at 2 and would be pleased to grant him an au- dience of half an hour, depending on his ,promptness in appearing.
 MT. Blithers was not used to being granted audiences. He consoled him S01IS hOW0VeT, WlLn the thought LuSAl matters would not always be as they were at present. There would be a decided change of tune later on.
 It would be folly to undertake the depletion of MT. BlIthers' first i'm pressions of the castle and it's glo- ries. To begin with, he lost no small amount of his assurance when he discovered that the great gates in the wall surrounding the park were guarded by resplendent dragons who demanded hAs "pass." After the Ofa- cer in charge had inspected the lord chamberlain s card as if he had never seen one before, he tremendously in dicated to a warden that the gates were to be opened. There was a great c1anking of chains, the drawing of iron bolts, the whtrl of a wind1ass and the ponderous gates swung slow 1y ajar.
 Gro Be CoIltinued.1