The Glasgow courier., 1916-09-15


hat Miss Guile may not be favorably
impressed by the constant attendance
of three ablebodied nurses, and. as she
happens to be no fool. it is reasonably
certain that she will grasp the signifi.
canoe of our assiduity. Now l propose
that the count Dank and myself eff.
face ourselves as completely as posi-
BILE during the rest of our enforced
stay in Interlaken. propose th.t we
take quarters in another hotel and
leave you and Hobbs to the tender
of the enemy. 1t seems to me
that
Good" cried Robin That's the
ticket! quite agree to that, baron"
Ten o'clock found the three gentle
men-so classified by Hobbs-out of
the Schweizerhof and arranging for
accommodations at the Regina Hotel
Jungfraublick.
He was somewhat puzzled by the
strange submissiveness of his compan-
ions. Deep down in his mind lurked
the disquieting suspicion that they
were conniving to get the better of the
lovely temptress by some sly and Sc
cret bit of strategy. What had be.
come of their anxiety, their eagerness
first train?
Enlightenment came unexpectedly
and with a shock to his composure.
Two people emerged from the door
and, passing by without SO much as a
glance in his direction, made their
way to the mounting block. Robins
heart went down to his boots. Bede-
liza, graceful figure in smart riding
habit. was laughing blithely over
soft spoken remark that her compan-
ion had made as they were crossing
the porch. And that companion was
no other than the tall, good looking
fellow who had met her at Cherbourg!
The prince, stunned and incredulous,
watched them mount their horses and
canter away, followed by groom who
seemed to have sprung UP from no.
where.
Good morning, Mr.. Schmidt spoke
a voice, and, still bewildered he whirl
ed, hat in hand, to confront Mrs. Gas
ton. did startle you?"
He bowed stif1y over the hand she
held out for him to clasp and MUIR
INJURED something about being proof
against any surprise.
isn't it glorious morning? And
how wonderful she is in this gorgeous
sunlight" went on Mrs. CASTOR, in
what may be described as a hurried
nervous manner.
II had the briefest glimpse of her."
mumbled Robin. "When did she
Gomez"
Centuries and centuries ago. Mr..
Schmidt" said she. with a smile. ~
was speaking Of the Jungfrau."
"Oh!" he exclaimed. flushing. 81
thought you - er yes. of course!
Really quite wonderful
"Your mind has gone horseback rid
ing. fear. At present it is between
here and Lauterbrunnen. jogging be-
side that roaring little torrent that
II don't mind confessing that you
are quite right" he said frankly.
"You are in love-
9" am," he confessed.
| She laid her hand upon his. Her
eyes were wide with eagerness.
"Nould it drive away the blues if |
! were to tell you that you have a
! chance to win her?"
! He felt his head spinning. "lf-if
| could believe that that he be
gan and choked up with the rush of
emotion that swept through him.
"She is a strange girl. She will
marry for love alone. Her father is
determined that she shall marry a
royal prince. That much l may con-
fess to you. She mas defied her
father, Mr.. Schmidt She will marty
for love. and l believe it is in your
power to awaken love in that ador-
able heart of hers. YOU
"For Gods sake, Mrs. CASTOR. tell
me-tell me. has she breathed a word
to you that
"Not a single word. But l know
her we'll. have known her since she
was a baby. and can read the soul
that looks out through those lovely
eyes"
But you-you don't know anything
about me. may be the veriest adven
turer. must be honest with you
Mrs. Gaston," he said suddenly. Il am
not
She held up her hand. "Mr. Totten
has informed me that you are life
long friend of Mrs. Truxton King.
cabled to her from Paris. There is nc
more to be said"
His face fell. did she tell you
everything?"
"She said no more than that r
Schmidt is the finest boy in all the
world" Suddenly her face paled, "Yor
are never-never to breathe word OF
this TOTO Bedeiia," she whispered.
But her father? What will he say
to-
Her father has said all that can bt
said" she broke in quietly. He can
not force her to marry the man he ha: