The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-03-13

Il y
 of a treaty with one of our neigh
 bors. For the past twenty years we have been in alliance with our next door neighbors, Axphain on the north and Dawsbergen on the south and east. The triple alliance will end this year unless renewed. Up to the present our relations have been most amiab1e. Axphain stands ready to extend our mutual protective agree ment for another term of years, but Dawsbergen is 1ukewarm and in c1ined to withdraw"
 EEWhat's the grievance?" incurred MT. Blithers b1unt1y. He was edging into familiar waters now. "What's the matter with Dawsbergen? Mon ey controversy?
 'tNot at al1," said Lazzar hastily.
 "Why not let 'em withdraw?'' said MT. Blithers. "We can get along without them.''
 There was 8 general uplifting of heads at the use of the pronoun and a more fixed concentration of gaze.
 The baron leaned forward, still tapping the table top with his long, slim fingers.
 "The report that Prince Robin is to marry your daughter, MT. Blith- SIS1 hdS TO4CA0u tue FI1uC0 or OaWS- bergen's ears. It is only natural that he should feel resentfuI. For fifteen years there has been an understand ing that the Crown Princess of Daws- bergen and the Prince of Graustark were one day to be welded to each other"
 MT. Blithers settled back in his chair. H'It seems to me thac he is making a mountain out of a mole htll''
 Baron Romano shrank perceptib1y. "It devolves upon me, sir, as spokes- man for the ministry, the court and the people of Graustark, to inform you that marriage between our prince and any other than the Grown Princess of Dawsbergen is not to be considered as possible"
 "My 1ords,'' said MT. BIithers, ris- ing, his face suddenly pale, E'I beg leave to assure you that my daugh- ter's happiness is of far more impor- tance to me than all the one horse municipalities in the world. I do not resent your attitude, nor do resent your haste in conveying to me your views on the subject. It may be di- plomacy to go straight to a question and get it over with, but it isn't al- w avs LO EO Ol ud1I COChOQs I will say with perfect candor that I should like to see my daughter the Princess of Graustark, but, by gad, I want you to understand that her own wishes in the matter are to gov ern mine in the end. want to say to you now, all of you, that if my girl should love your prince and he should love her in return, there isn't 8 power below heaven that can keep them apart. If she doesn't love him, and he should be unIucky enough to love her, I'd see him hanged before he could have her. I intend to leave this matter entirely to my daughter and Prince Robin. They are to do the deciding, so far as I am con cerned. And if they decide that they love each other and want to get mar ried, they will get married. Do I make myself perfectly platnt my lords?"
 The dignified ministry of Graustark sat agape.
 Baron Romano arose. 'rYou place us in the extremely distressing posi- tion of being obliged to oppose the hand of a benefactor. MT. Blithers. You have come to our assistance in a time of need. You have''-
 of it is the loan you are talking about, baron, that is quite beside the question: interrupted MT. Blithers. T do not speculate. I have made a loan, and I am not com p1aining''
 "'As you please, sir,'' said Romano co1dly. "I may at least question your right to assume that we are power less to prevent a marriage that is unpopular with the sub jects of Prince Robin
 "But what about the personal views of Prince Robin? If I am not mis- taken he openly declares that he will