The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-25

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 esWi1I you come to the point, MT. Blithers?" said the young prince, stopping abruptly in the middle of the road and facing his companion. seWha. are you trying to get at?''
 MT. B1ithers was not long in get ting to the point. In the first place, he was hot and tired, and his shoes were huftA.g: in the second place, he } fels that he knew precisely how to handle these money seeking scions of nobility. He planted himself square ly in front of the prince and damned his hands deep into his coat pockets.
 "The day my daughter is married to the man of my choice will hand over to that man exactly twenty mill 5 lion dollars he said slowly, inpres- sixely.
 sYes; go on.''
 teThe sole object I have in life is to see my girl happy and at the same time at the top of the heap. She is worthy of any mans love, She is as good as gold. She''
 "The point is this, then: You would like to have me for a son-in- law
 tsYes,'. said MT. Blithers. Robin grinned: He was amused in spite of himself. You take it for granted that can be bought ?'' s--
 'I have not made any such state ment.''
 "And how much will you hand over to the man of her choice when she marries him ?'' inquired the young man.
 "You will be her choice,'' said the other without the quiver of an eye1ash.
 How can you be sure of that? Has she no mind of her own?'r
 "Itf isn't incomprehensible that she should fall. in love with you, is ii? ?''
 -Tt might be possible, of course, pro Vided she is not already in love with some one else"
 MT. Blithers started. Have you heard any one say that? But that's nonsense. She's not in love with any one, take it from me. And just to show you how fair am to her-and to you-In stake my head you fall in love with each other before you've been together a week.
 "It is possible that I could fall in love with her inside of a week or even sooner. But I don't intend to, Mr. BIithers, any more than she intends to fall in love with me. You say that $20, 1000, 900 will go to the man she mar l. ries if he is your choice. Well, don't give a hang, sir, if you make it s5O.- | 100000. I am not for sale, MT. B1ith- 1 CTS. Good morning." Robin turned I into the wood and was sauntering away with his chin high in the air when MT B1itherg called out to him from behind:
 -I shall expect you tonight. just the same"
 Robin halted. amazed by the mans assurance. He retfaced his steps to the roadside.
 eeWill you pardon slight feeling of curiosity on my part, MT. BIithers, if ask whether your daughter consents to the arrangement you propose. Does she approve Of the scheme?" kf I MT. Blithers was honest ttNo, she | doesn't, he said succinct1y. "At least, not at present I'll be honest | with you She stayed away from the l ball last night simply because she | did not want to meet you. That's tine | kind of girl she is.''
 "By jove, take off my hat to her!" l cried Robin. "She's brick, after all Take it from me. MT. Blithers, you | will not be able to hand over twenty millions without her consent. be- 1ieve that I'shou1d enjoy meeting her, now that I come to think of it. It would be a pleasure to exchange con- I fldences with girl of that sort. Shall I instruct your chauffeur to come for you up here. or will you walk back l to-
 sTn walk to Red Roof said MT. B1ithers doggedly. '1'm going to ask Mrs. King to let you off for tonight g f CHATTER VII. A Letter From Maud. / mR BLITHERS, triumphant. I M left Red Roof shortly after i NH luncheon; MT. BIithers, dis
 mayed. arrived at BIither- wood a quarter of an hour later He had had his way with Robin, who, after all, was coming to dinner that evening with Count Quinnox. The I prince. after Q few words in private with the count, changed his mind and accepted MT. Blithers' invitation with a Ive1iness that was mistaken for eagerness by that gentleman, who had made very short work of subduing Mrs King when she tried | to tell him that her own dinner party would be ruined if the principal guest defaulted. He was g1oatiug over his victory up to the instant he reached his own lodge gates. There dismay sat patiently waiting for him