The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-03-10
THE PRINCE OF
C RAUSTARK
By George Barr McCutcheOn5


| was speeches.. Then a rush of pro-
testing sincerity surged up within him,
and he cried out in low, intense tones:
| ''I cannot allow you to think that Of
me, Miss Guile. If have done or said
| anything to lead you to believe that
| ann
She laughed joyously, naturally.
| "You really are quite wonderful, Mr..
Schmidt. Still must change the sub
| ject. I trust the change will not af-
| feet your glibness, for it is quite ex-
hilarating. How long do you purpose
remaining in Interlaken?"
tsThat isn't changing the subject"
said he 'I shall be here for week
or ten days-or perhaps 1onger?" He
/ put it in the form of a question, after
all.
Indeed? How L envy you. I am
sorry to say shall have to leave in
| day or two"
| His face fall. s'why?' he demand
| ed, almost Indignantly.
"I am having such a good time dis
obeying my father, Mr.. Schmidt, and
eluding pursuers. It is only matter
of day or two before am discovered
here, SO mean to keep on lodging.
It is splendid fun"
do you mind telling me where you
are going to, Miss Cutler
First to Vienna, then-well, you
cannot guess where. 1 have decided
to go to Edelweiss.'f
'Edelweiss!" he exclaimed in aston
ishment. He could hardly believe his
ears.
cit is the very last place in the
world that my father would think of
looking for me. Besides, 1 am curious
L.. bot
the great Mr.. Blithers is to be there
soon, and the stupid prince who will
not be tempted by millions, and it is
even possible that the extraordinary
Miss BIithers may take it into her
head to look the place over before
definitely refusing to be its princess.
I may find some amusement or enter
taipment as an on1ooker when the
riots begin
He was staring at her wide eyed
and incredulous. "'Do you really mean
to say you are going to Graustark?"
'I have thought of doing SO. Don't
you think it will be amusing to be on
the scene when the grand climax oc-
ours? ''
All this time she was regarding him
through amused, half closed eyes.
She had distinct advantage over him.
Graustark; she had known it for many
days. Perhaps if she had known all
the things that were in his cunning |
brain she would not have ventured so
far into the comedy she was construct |
ing. She would lave hesitated-aye, |
she might have changed her methods |
completely. But she was in the mood |
to do and say daring things.
CHAPTER XVII.
Love In Allegiance.
s@ DOR Prince!" she sighed pity
ingly. He started. The remark
was SO unexpected that he al
most betrayed himself 1t
seemed profoundly personal. HE
will be in very hot water, fear
He regarded her coldly. "And you
want to be on hand to see him squirm,
I suppose"
She took instant alarm. Was she
going too far? His query was some
what disconcerting.
ITO be perfectly frank with you, Mr..
Schmidt, am going to Graustark be-
cause no one will ever think of look
ing for me in such an out of the way
place. am serious now, SO you must
not laugh at me. Circumstances, are
such that 1 prefer to seek happiness
after fashion of my own. My parents
love me, but they will not understand
me. You know that my father fears
that I may marry a man dfstasteful
to him, and I suppose to my mother,
although she is not so"-
stAre his fears well founded?" he
asked, rudely interrupting her. i'Is
there man that he has cause to fear?
Are-are you in love with some one,
Bedelia?"
do not interrupt me. I want you to
know that I am not running away
from home, that shall return to it
when I see fit and that I am not in
love with the man they suspect.
She was very serious, very intense.
He laid his hand on hers, and she did
not withdraw it, Embo1dened, his
hand closed upon the dainty fingers.
and an instant later they were borne
to his hot lips.
"You have said that I came here in
search of a light adventure he whis-
pered, holding her hand close to his
cheek as he bent nearer to her. you
imply that I am a tri1er, a light O.
love. 1 want you to understand me
better. came here because p
'tStop!" she pleaded. you must not
say it. 1 am serious-yes, know that
you are serious too. But you must
wait. If you were to say it to me now
should have to send you away and
oh, believe me. I do not want to do
that. I-P'-
'eYou love no one e1se?" he cried
rapturously.
She swayed slightly, as If incapable
of resisting the appeal that called her
to his heart, and she scarcely breath
ed the words:
tI love no one e1se.'
A less noble nature than this would
have seized upon the advantage offer
ed by her sudden weakness. Instead,
he drew a long, deep breath, straight
ened his figure, and he gently released
the Imprisoned hand