Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-11-28

views on the subject. II may be di-
plomacy to go straight to q question
and get 1t over with. but 1t Isn't al
ways diplomacy to go OF half cooked.
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
efn mine in the end. I want to say
to you now. all Of you. that II my
girl should love your prince and hs
should love her in return, there isn't
q power below heaven that can keep
them apart. II she doesn't love him,
and he should be unlucky enough to
love her, I'd see him banged before
he could have her. intend to leave
this matter entirely to my daughter
and Prince Robin. They are to do
the deciding. 80 far as I am con-
cerned. And II they decide that they
love each other and want to get mar
ried, they will get married. Do I
make myself perfectly plain. my
lords?"
The dignified ministry Of Graustark
sat agape.
Baron Romano arose. "You place
us in the extremely distressing posi-
ton of being obliged to oppose the
hand Of q benefactor. Mr.. Blithers.
You have come to our assistance in
time of need. You have
'Tf 1t Is the loan you are talking
about, baron. that is quite beside the
question:" interrupted Mr.. Blithers.
II do not speculate. I have made a
satisfactory loan, and I am not COM
planning"
"As you please. SIR" said Romano
coldly. ~ may at least question your
right to assume that we are power
less to prevent q marriage that II
manifestly unpopular with the sub
jects Of Prince Robin"
"But what about the personal views
of Prince Robin? II I am not mis-
taken he openly declares that he will
marry to suit himself and not the
people Of Graustark. Am I not right,
Count QuinnoxT' demanded Mr.. BNth-
ers suddenly Of the minister OF war.
"You are in a position to know some
thing about him. Am not rightr'
Every eye was on the count.
"Prince Robin will marry for love.
my lords" he said quietly. II am
forced to agree with Mr.. Blithers."
Baron Romano sank into his chair.
There was silence in the, room for
many seconds.
A gleam Of triumph shot into ths
eyes Of Mr.. Blithers.
my lords. I find that my half hour
is almost up" he said, pulling out
his gold watch and comparing Its
time with that Of the clock on the
wall. "Permit me to take my depar-
ture. am content to let matters
shape themselves as they may. Allow
me, however. before leaving to assure
you Of my most kindly interest in the
welfare of your state. You may be
pleased to know that 1t Is not from
me that Graustark-did I get 1t right
that time?-will redeem her bonds
when they mature, but from my only
daughter. She is nearly twenty-one
years of age. On her twenty-fifth
birthday shall present to her-ss q
gift-all Of my holdings in Graus-
tark. She may do as she sees At with
them. Permit me to wish you all
good day, my lords"
At the Regengetx telegram await
ed him. It was from Maud.
~ shall be in Edelweiss this week
without fail. ! have something very
important to tell you" So 1t read.
Nine o'clock Of q rainy night, on
the steep. winding road that climbed
the mountain side from the walled In
city to the crest on which stood the
famed monastery Of St Valentines
o'clock Of night fraught with pleas
urable anticipation on the part OF
one r. Schmidt, whose eager progress
up the slope was all too slow not
withstanding the encouragement Of
fered by the conscienceless jehu.
who frequently beat his poor steeds
into q gallop over level stretches and
never allowed them to pause.
Late In the afternoon there had
come to the general postoface letter
for Mr.. r. Schmidt.
Her letter was brief. She merely
acquainted him with the fact that
she had arrived In Edelweiss that
day from Ganlook, twenty miles
away, and was stopping at the Inn
Of the Stars, outside the city gates.
In closing she said that she would
be delighted to see him when 1t was
convenient for him to come 10 her.
On receipt Of this sihgularly matter
Of fact letter he promptly dispatched
q message to Miss Guile, Inn Of the
Stars, saying that she might expect
him at 9 that night.
Stealing away from the castle ss
night, he entered the ramshackle cab
that Hobbs had engaged for the e1.
pedition and which awaited him not
far from the private entrance to the
park.
The mud covered vehicle wss neer-
ing the Inn Of the Stars whom Robin
stuck his head out Of the window and
directed Hobbs to drive 1lower.
SWhoa!" said Hobbs suddenly.
"'Ello, wot the ell is"-
A dark figure had sprung into tho
| roadway near the horses heads snA
was holding up warning hand.
Robins head came through ne
window.
TT ISL. m'sieur." said the voice o(
Marie, Miss Guile's French maid.
Disappointment filed his sou.
~What has happenedf" b sRied,
grasping the girls arm. .Has shs
changed her mindf"
"Yes, m'sisur. She Win not receive
you at the Inn oe the Stark She bids
you to drive TO the end oe this street,
where there Il . garden with Nag
ysr band and the most delicious ~
treatments TO be had under vine cor
ersd'-
"A public gardsnf" sxelatmsd
Robin In utter dismay.
sPingari's, sir" said Hobb2 =
know the place we'll. i = . very
| nvtat oFdnrly ulacA." 49,.