Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1916-03-23
SYNOPSIS

ana Mrs. Truxton King in America in an
ticipation of getting some one to take up
the loan Russia holds Mr.. Scoville is
9rince E II bMia9 Is accompanied by Count
Quinnox, minister of war; Lieutenant
Dank and Hobbs. the valet The prince
had baked at a matrimonial alliance with
the Princess of Dawsbergen, both of them
wishing to choose for themselves Mr..
@lithers visits the Kings unlimited
Mr.. Blithers discusses the Russian loan
and gently hints at $2O,000,000 his daughter
win ret when she marries the right man.
Bankers suddenly refuse to handle the
loan. Count Quinnox and King arrange
meeting with Blithers King suspects MN
Of blocking the deal
CHAPTER v.
Prince Robin is Asked to Stand Up.
n ATE the same evening Prince
Robin, at Red Roof, received
long distance telephone COM
munication from New York city.
The count was on the wire. He I'M
parted the rather startling news that
William W. Blithers had volunteered
to take care of the loan out Of his own
private means.
Robin was jubilant The thought had
not entered his mind that there could
be anything sinister In this amazing
proposition of the great financier.
If Count Quinnox himself suspected
Mr.. Blithers of an Interior motive the
suspicion was rendered doubtful by the
evidence of sincerity on the part OF
the capitalist, who professed no senti-
ment in the matter, but insisted on the
most complete naturalization by the
Graustark government. Even King was
impressed by the absolute fairness OF
the proposition. Mr.. Blithers demand
ed no more than the banks were
asking in the shape of indemnity-a
first lien mortgage for twelve years on
all properties owned and controlled by
the government and the deposit OF all
bonds held by the people with the I'M
Outstanding that the interest would be
paid to them regularly. less a small
per cent as commission. His protec-
ton would be complete, for the people
i Of Graustark owned fully four-hfths OF
the bonds issued by the government for
the construction Of public service In
situations. These by consent of Mr..
Blithers were to be limited to three
utilities-railroads telegraph and ca
nails. These properties, as Mr.. Blith-
ers was by way Of knowing, were alb
solutely sound and self supporting.
Robin inquired whether he was to
come to New York at once In relation
to the matter and was Informed that
it would not be necessary at, present
Mr.. Blithers, however, would give him.
self the pleasure Of calling upon the
prince at Red Roof later In the week
when the situation could be discussed
over a dish of tea or a cup of lemon
,ade. That Is precisely the way Mr.
Blithers put 1t.
The next afternoon Mrs. Blithers lefI
cards at Red Roof-or, rather, the foot
man left them-and on the day fol
lowing the Kings and their guests re
.ceived invitations to bali at Blither
wood on the ensuing Friday, but foul
days off. While Mrs. King and the
two young men were discussing the in
yitation the former was called to the
telephone. Mrs. Blithers herself was
speaking.
''I hope you will pardon me for call
ing you up, Mrs. King, but | wanted
to be sure that you can come on thu
18th. We want so much to have thu
prince and his friends with US. Mr.
Blithers has taken great fancy Z
Prince Robin and Count Quinnox, ant
he declares the whole affair will be
fiasco If they are not to be here
sit is good of you to ask us, Mrs
Blithers. The prince Is planning Z
leave for Washington and ! fear
ooh, you must prevail upon him Z
remain over, my dear Mrs. King. w
are to have lot Of people up iron
Newport and Tuxedo-you know tn
crowd-it's the real crowd, and In
sure he will enjoy meeting them. MI
Blithers has arranged for a specia
train to bring them up-a train d
luxe, you may be sure, both as
equipment and occupant Zabo's OF
chestra, too. A notion seized US las
night to give the ball. which account
for the short notice. It's the way W
do everything-on a minutes notice.
"Of coarse we shall insist on tn
prince receiving with us. he IS GU
piece de resistance. You
I'm sure it will be awfully jolly
Mrs. Blithers. What did you sayT
II beg pardonr'
"pm sorry. was speaking to IN
prince. He just called upstairs to me.
What does be sayT
'Tt was really nothing. He wa
asking about Hobbs"
"Hobbs? Tell him, please. that !
he has any friends he would like 7
have invited we shall be only to
proud to-
~Oh, thank you'll I'll tell him.
@Wen, perhaps Maud and may rui
a.. E.--- -. lllI-Lna 70