Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1916-04-07

II find 1t singularly difficult to put
one and one together, Dank," said the
prince ruefully. "No, you are wrong
In both Of your guesses."
$50 be it," said Dank, but with
doubt in his eyes. "You ought to
know. I've never spoken to her,
so"-
She thinks you are dreadfully at
tractive chap, Dank," said Robin mis-
chievously. "She said so only yester.
day."
Dank gave his prince a disguised
look and smoked on in silence. His
dignity was ruffled.
Come. old fellow. let's forget Miss
Guile" cried Robin, shaping the lieu.
tenant on the shoulder. Lets think
Of the real peril-Maud Apologize
Blithers." He held up the ships pa
per for Dank to see, and then sat back
to enjoy his companions rage.
An hour later Dank and Count Quin-
nox might have been seen seated side
by side on the edge Of a skylight at
The tiptop of the ships structure en-
gagged in the closest conversation.
He is young enough and stubborn
enough to make fool of himself over
her." the count had said. II wouldn't
blame him, pom my soul I wouldn't.
She is very attractive-ahem! You
must be his safeguard. Dank. Go in
and do as suggest. You are a good
| <0
lose. So far as she is concerned you
are quite as well worth while as the
fellow known as R. Schmidt. There's
no reason why you shouldn't make
the remainder Of the passage pleasant
for her and at the same time enjoy
yourself at nobody's expense"
"Is 1t command, sir?"
1T is"
Every well, sir. shall do my best"
Five days later as the Jupiter was
discharging passengers at Plymouth
Count Quinnox and Lieutenant Dank
stood well forward on the promenade
deck watching the operations. The
younger man was moody and distract.
an unusual condition for him, but one
that had been noticeably recurrent
during the past two or three days.
Something had gone wrong with him,
and it was something that he felt in
duty bound to lay before his superior.
the grim old minister of war and he
reditary chief of the castle guard. DC.
casionally his somber gaze shifted to
spot farther down the deck, where
young man and woman leaned upon
the rail and surveyed the scene Of &C.
tivity below.
what is on your mind, DAM" ask
ed the count abruptly. "Out with It,"
"Pretty mess I've made of the bust
ness" lamented Dank surlily. put
ting myself up as a contender against
fellow like Robin and dreaming that
| could win out. even for a minute!
Good Lord, what an ass l am! Why,
we've only made it worse. count.
We've touched him with the spur of
rivalry, and what could be more ca
rather matter of fact, Indifferent OBJ
server, he becomes bewildering cav
alier bent on conquest at any cost.
am swept aside as il were a parcel
of rags. Fer two days stood between
him and the incompatible Miss Guile.
Then he suddenly arouses himself.
My cake Is dough. l am nobody. The
beautiful Miss Guile has bewitched
our prince, and my labor is not only
lost, but myself am lost. Mon dieui"
The count stared at him in perplex.
ity for a moment. Then look of sur
prise came into his eyes-surprise not
unmingled with sccrn.
"You don't mean to say, Dank, that
you've fallen in love with her? Oh,
you absurd fledgelings. VIII your
why not?" broke in Dan1 flercely.
why should it appear incredible to
you? Is she not the most enhancing
creature in all the world? Is she not
the most appealing. the most adorable.
most feminine of all her sex? Tie
The count stopped him with a sharp
gesture. A look of real concern ap-
peared in his eyes.
do you believe that he is actually
in love with this girl?"
Heels over head" barked the I'M
happy lieutenant. 1--WE never seen a
worse case"
1--WE must put an end to this fond
adventure. Robin is our most precious
possession. We must not Why do
you shake your head?"
1--WE are powerless, sir. If he makes
up his mind to marry Miss Guile he'll
do it in spite Of anything we can do
that is, provided she is of the same
mind All Graustark can't stop him,
nor old man Blithers either Besides,
he says he isn't going to Edelweiss
Immediately"
THAT is news to me-"
II thought it would be. He came to
the decision not more than two hours
ago. He is determined to spend a
couple of weeks at Interlaken."
"Interlaken?"
Eyes. Miss Guile expects to stop
there for a fortnight after leaving
Paris"
Il must demonstrate with Robin-at
once" declared the old man. "He is
needed in Graustark. He must be