The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1916-05-25


"YoG will see her tonight"
"Reaily. Mr.. Blithers, l cannot
"fll fix it with Mrs. King. Don't
you worry"
May ] be pardoned for observing
that Mrs. King, greatly as l love her
is not invested with the power to
govern my actions?" said Robin
haughtily.
"And may l be pardoned for sug-
costing that it is your duty to your
people to completely understand this
loan of mine before you agree to &C.
cept it," said Mr.. Blithers, CON-
| pressing his lips
"Forgive me, Mr.. Blithers. but II
is not altogether improbable that
Graustark may secure the money
elsewhere"
at is not only improbable, but i'm
possible said Mr.. Blithers fatty.
"Impessible?"
Absolutely" said the millionaire,
so significantly that Robin would
| have been dolt not to grasp the sit
| uation. Nothing could have been
/ Nieoi "a s1aAAs hhC ioNt thdh Atll. olihh-
ers believed it to be in his power to
block any effort Graustark might
| make in other directions to secure the
much needed money.
"Will you come to the point, Mr..
Blithers?" said the young prince.
| stopping abruptly in the middle Of
the road and facing his companion.
"What are you trying to get att"
Mr.. Blithers was not long in get
ting to the point. In the first place.
he was hot and tired, and his shoes
were hurting; in the second place, he
felt that he knew precisely how tr
handle these money seeking scions o.
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 l will hand
over to that man exactly twenty mil
lion dollars" he said slowly. impress
sively.
Eyes; go on"
"The sole object l have in life is to
see my girl happy and at the same
TINY a. AAiO toP Va ZIG ANdP. AohS -
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
eyes" said Mr.. Blithers.
Robin grinned. He was amused in
spite of himself You take 1t for
granted that can be bought?"
81 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 culver of an eyelash.
How can you be sure of that? Has
she no mind of her own"
at isn't incomprehensible that she
should fall in love with you. is it?"
ut might be possible, of course. pro-
vided she is not already in love with
some one else"
Mr.. 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'LL stake my head you fall in
love with each other before you've
been together a week"
ut Is possible that | could fall in
love with her inside of week or even
sooner. But | don't intend to, Mr..
Blithers. any more than she intends to
fall in love with me. You say that
s20,000,000 will go to the man she mar
ries if he is your choice. Well. don't
give hang, sir. if you make it $780,
100000. am not for sale. Mr.. Blith-
ers. Good morning" Robin turned
into the wood and was sauntering
away with his chin high in the air
when Mr. Blithers called out to him
from behind:
81 shall expect you tonight. Just the
same"
Robin halted, amazed by the mans
assurance. He retraced his steps to
the roadside.
will you pardon a slight feeling of
curiosity on my part. Mr.. Blithers. If
ask whether your daughter consents
to the arrangement you propose. Does
she approve of the scheme?"
Mr.. Blithers was honest. mo. she
foesn't." he said suceinetly. "At
least, not at present. III be honest
with you. She stayed away from the
ball last night simply because she
did not want to meet you. That's the
kind of a girl she is"
"By jove. take off my hat to her!"
cried Robin. ashes brick. after all.
Take it from me. Mr.. Blithers. you
will not be able to hand over twenty
millions without her consent. | be-
Iieve that should enjoy meeting her.
now that | come to think of it. 1t
would be pleasure to exchange con-
idences with girl of that sort. Shall
| instruct your chauffeur to come for
you up here, or will you walk back
to-
eT'll walk to Red Roof" said Mr..
Slithers doggedly. "Tm going to ask
Mrs. King to let you off for tonight"