The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1916-03-29
CHAPTER v.
Prince Robin Is Asked to Stand Up.

L. 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 profcsscd no senti-
ment I'm 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 indemnify
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 un-
Outstanding that the interest would he
paid TO them regularly, less Il small
per cent as commission. His protec-
ton would be complete, for the people
Of Graustark owned fully four-fifths Of
the bonds issued by the government for
the construction Of public service in
stitutions. 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
II 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 cup of lemon
ade. That is precisely the way Mr..
Blithers put It,
The next afternoon Mrs. Blithers left
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 a ball at Blither-
wood on the ensuing Friday, but four
days off. While Mrs. King and the
two young men were discussing the in
vitation the former was called to the
telephone. Mrs. Blithers herself was
speaking.
81 hope you will pardon me for call
ing you up, Mrs. King, but I wanted
to be sure that you can come on the
18th. We want so much to have the
prince and his friends with us. Mr..
Blithers has taken a great fancy to
Prince Robin and Count Qulnnox, and
he declares the whole affair will be a
1asco if they are not to be here"
ut is good of you to ask us, Mrs.
Blithers. The prince Is planning to
leave for Washington and | fear
"Oh, you must prevail upon him to
remain over, my dear Mrs. King. We
are to have lot of people up from
Newport and TuXcdo-you know the
crowd-it's the real crowd, and I'm
sure he will enjoy meeting them. Mr..
Blithers has arranged for special
train to bring them up-a train de
luxe, you may be sure, both as to
equipment and occupant. Zabo's or
chestra, too. A notion seized us last
night to give the ball, which accounts
for the short notice. It's the way we
do everythlng-on II minutes notice.
"Of course we shall insist ON the
prince receiving with us. He Is our
piece de resistance. YOU
"Fm sure 1t will be awfully jolly.
Mrs. Blithers. What did you say?"
81 beg pardon"
I'm sorry. | was speaking to the
prince. He just called upstairs to me-"
what does he sayT'
ut was really nothing. He was
asking about Hobbs"
"Hobbs? Tell him. please. that II
he has any friends he would like to
have invited we shall be only too
proud to-
"oh. thank you! I'll tell him."
"Well, perhaps Maud and may run
In and see you for a few minutes to-
morrow or next day, just to talk
things over little-what's that,
Maud? beg your pardon. Mrs. King.
Ahem! Well. I'll call you up tomor-
row. If you don't mind being both
cred about silly old ball. Goodby."
Mrs. King confronted Robin in the
lower hall few seconds later and
berated him for shouting up
the steps that Hobbs ought to be in
vited to the ball. Prince Robin rolled
IN a couch and roared with delight.
Dank. as became an Of
beer of the Royal guard. stood at at
the bow window with his
back to the room. very red about the