Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-19

something unintelligible to Mrs. King
as they passed.
"They are dears." said Mrs. King.
"The-er-prince attracted by either
one Of 'emy' he queried.
HE barely knows them. Mr.. Blith.
ers.'
II see. Shouldn't think they'd ap-
peal to him. Rather light. / should
say mean up here" and he tapped
his forehead so that she wouldn't think
that he referred to pounds and ounces.
~ don't believe Maud knows 'ein. as
the little one said. Maud Is rather
1T is possible they have mistaken
some one else for your daughter" said
she very gently.
"Impossible~ said be. with force.
They are coming back here for din
ner," she said. and her eyes sparkled
with mischief. Il shall put you be-
tween them. Mr.. Blithers. You will
find that they are very bright, attrac.
tive girls"
We'll see." said he succinctly.
King caught them up at the top of
the steps He seemed to be slightly
cut of breath.
make yourself at home, Mr.. Blith-
ers. / must get into something be-
sides these buds I'm wearing" he
said. "Would you like to-er-wash
I'm NY f1o uo,ro
"No, thanks" interposed Mr.. Blith-
ers. "I'm as clean as whistle. Don't
mind me, please. Run along and
dress, both Of you. I'll sit out here
and-count the minutes" the last
with a very elaborate bow to Mrs.
King.
Dinners at half past g." said she
and disappeared. Mr.. Blithers re-
called his last glance at his watch
and calculated that he would have at
least fifty minutes to count. provided
dinner was served promptly on the
dot So he settled himself in the big
porch chair and scowled more deeply
than before.
Later on he met the prince. Very
warmly he shook the tall young
mans hand-he even gave 1t a pro-
phetic second squeeze-and said:
81 am happy to welcome you to the
i Catskills. prince"
"Thank YOU" said Prince Robin.
ga most extraordinary person." said
Count Quinnox to King after Mr..
Blithers had taken his departure,
close upon the heels of the Feltons,
who were being escorted home by the
prince and Dank. The venerable
Graustarkian's heroic face was a
study. He had just concluded a con-
! fidential hour in remote corner of
| the library with the millionaire while
the younger people were engaged in
noisy though temperate encounter
| with the roulette wheel at the oppo-
site end Of the room. "I've never met
| any one like him, Mr. King" He
mopped his brow and still looked a
tride dazed.
King laughed. There isn't any one
like him. count He is the one and
only Blithers."
HE is very rich?" s
Millions and millions" said Mrs
King. Didn't he tell you how many?'
Il am not quite sure. This daugh
| ter of his-is she attractive?'
Rather, Why:"
He informed me that her dot would
be twenty millions if she married the
right man. Moreover. she Is his only
heir. Pom my soul. Mrs. King. be
quite took my breath away when be
announced that he knew all about our
predicament in relation to the Russian
loan. 1t really sounded quite-you
might say significant Does-does be
imagine that-good heaven. it is al
most stupefying"
Sounds ominous to me-" said King
dryly. rs Bobby for sale?"
The count favored him with loot
Of horror. My dear Mr. Kingr' Their
as comprehension came. be smiled. 81
see. No, he isn't for sale. He is 6
prince. not pawn. Mr.. Blithers may
be willing to buy, but He proudly
shook his head.
HE was feeling you out. however
said King. Illuminating. Planting the
seed, so to speak
The count seemed to be turning
something over in his mind. "Youl
amazing Mr.. Blithers further confidec
to me that he might be willing to TAXI
care of the Russian obligation for Il!
II no one else turns up in time. AS {
matter of fact, without waiting for my
reply he said that he would have hi:
lawyers look into the matter Of secu
rity at once. Amazing. amazing
"Of course you told him it was no
to be considered" said King sharply.
II endeavored to do so. but | fea
he did not grasp what ! was saying
Moreover. l tried to tell him that i
| was a matter was not at liberty t,
discuss He didn't hear that. either"
He is not in the habit of heariri
any one but himself. / fear" sale
King.
81 am afraid poor Robin Is In jeop
ardy." said his wife ruefully 9Th,
bogy man Is after him"
Continued next Wednesday,