The Breckenridge news., 1916-04-19

For instance, she may be running
away TO get married"
That's possible" agreed Robin.
But not probable. She may be a
popular music hall favorite or one OF
those peculiarly clever creatures
known as the American newspaper
woman, against whom we have been
warned. Don't you regard II as rather
significant that of all the people on this
ship she should be the one to attach
/ herself to the unrecognized Prince of
Graustark? Put two and two together.
sir, and
81 find It singularly difficult to put
one and one together, Dank," said the
prince ruefully. mo, you are wrong
In both OF your guesses."
$50 be It," said Dank, but with
doubt in his eyes. you ought to
know I've never spoken to her,
so"-
"She thinks you are a dreadfully at.
tractive chap, Dank." said Robin mis-
chievously. "She said so only yester.
day"
Dank gave his prince a disgusted
look and smoked on in silence. His
dignity was rufied.
Come. old fellow, let's forget Miss
Guile" cried Robin, slapping the lieu
tenant on the shoulder. Let's think
Of the real peril-Maud Applegate
Blithers." He held up the ships pa
per for Dank to see, and then sat back
to enjoy his companions rage.
An hour later Dank and Count Quin-
nox might have been seen seated side
by side on the edge of a skylight at
the tipiop of the ships structure en-
gagged in the closest conversation.
"He is young enough and stubborn
enough to make a fool of himself over
her." the count had said. Il wouldn't
blame him, pom my soul | wouldn't.
She is very attractive-aheml You
must be his safeguard, Dank. Go in
and do as | suggest. You are a good
looking chap and you've nothing to
lose So far as she is concerned you
are quite as well worth while as the
fellow known as r. Schmidt. There's
no reason why you shouldn't make
the remainder of the passage pleasant
for her and at the same time enjoy
yourself at nobody's expense"
as it a command, sir?"
"It is"
"Very well, sir. | shall do my best"
Five days later as the Jupiter was
discharging passengers at Plymouth
Count Quinnox and Lieutenant Dank
stood well forward on the promenade
deck watching the operations. The
younger man was moody and distrait,
an unusual condition for him, but one
that had been noticeably recurrent
during the past two or three days.
Something had gone wrong with him,
and it was something that he felt in
duty bound to lay before his superior,
the grim old minister of war and he
reditary chief of the castle guard. Oc-
casionally his somber gaze shifted to
spot farther down the deck, where
young man and woman leaned upon
the rail and surveyed the scene Of ac-
tivity below.
w hdl 10 oh youi Ian doh
ed the count abruptly. "Out with it"
pretty mess I've made of the bust
ness" lamented Dank surlily. Put
ting myself up as a contender against
fellow like Robin and dreaming that
could win out, even for a minute!
Good Lord, what an ass l am! Why.
we've only made it worse, count.
We've touched him with the spur of
rivalry, and what could be more ca
lamitous than that? From being a
rather matter of fact, Indifferent OBJ
server, he becomes a bewildering cav
alier bent on conquest at any cost.
am swept aside as IL l were a parcel
Of rags. For two days stood between
him and the Incompatible Miss Guile.
Then he suddenly arouses himself.
My cake Is dough. l am nobody. The
beautiful Miss Guile has bewitched
our prince, and my labor is not only
lost, but l myself am lost. Mon dieu!"
The count stared at him in perplex.
ity for a moment. Then look of sur
prise came into his eyes-surprise not
unmingled with scorn.
You don't mean to say, Dank, that
you've fallen in love with her? Oh,
you absurd fledgelings. Will you"-
why not?" broke in Dank fiercely.
why should it appear incredible to
you? Is she not the most enhancing
creature in all the world? Is she not
the most appealing, the most adorable.
most feminine of all her sex? The
The count stopped him with sharp
gesture. A look of real concern ap-
peared in his eyes.
do you believe that he is actually
in love with this girl?"
Heels over head" barked the un-
happy lieutenant. 1--WE never seen
worse case"
I'VE must put an end to this fond
adventure. Robin is our most precious
possession. We must not Why do
you shake your head?"
1--WE are powerless, sir. If he makes
up his mind to marry Miss Guile he'll
| do il in spite of ANYTHING we can do