Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1916-03-16

TN other words, can lie with a
straight face" she said ironically.
II never thought she'd balk like this, =
said he, ignoring the remark.
II fancy you'd better go to New
York" she said mercilessly.
Sure enough, Mr.. Blithers was on
for New York soon after daybreak the
next morning. and with him went a
mighty determination to justify him
self before the week was over. His
willy brain was working as 1t had
never worked before.
Two days later Count Quinnox re-
ceived a message from New York
bearing the distressing information
that the two private banking institu-
tions on which he had been depend
ing for aid In the hour of trouble had
decided that 1t would be impossible
for them to make the loan under con-
sideration.
Vastly disturbed, Count Quinnox
took the first train to New York. ac-
companied by Truxton King, who was
confident that outside influences had
been brought to bear upon the situa-
ton, influences inimical to Grau-
stark. Both were OF the opinion that
Russia had something to do with 1t.
eve may be able to get to the
banks through Blithers." said King.
GLOW could he possibly be Of as
sistance to us?" the count inquired.
"He happens to be director in
both concerns, besides being such q
power in the financial world that his
word is almost law when it comes to
the big deals"
All the way down to the city Count
Quinnox was thoughtful. even pre-
occupied. They were nearing the
terminal when he leaned over and,
laying his hand on Kings knee, said
after a long interval of silence be-
tween them:
"I suppose you know that Grau-
stark has not given UP hope that
Prince Robin may soon espouse the
daughter of our neighbor, Dawsber-
gen."
King gave him queer look. "By
Jove, that's odd! / was thinking of
that very thing when you spoke"
THE union would be Of no profit to
US in a pecuniary way. my friend, ex-
planned the count. Still it is most de-
sirable for other reasons. Dawsber-
gen is not rich country, nor are its
people progressive. The reigning house.
however, is an old one and rich in ira
ditions. Money, my dear King. Is not
everything in this world. There are
some things it cannot buy. 1t is sin
gularly ineffective when oppd,1d to an
honest sentiment. Even though the
young princess were to come to Grau-
stark without farthing she would
still be hailed with the widest ac-
claim. We are a race of blood wor-
slippers, If | may put it in that way.
She represents a force that has domi-
mated our instincts for q great many
centuries, and we are bound hand and
foot, heart and soul. by the SO called
letters Of Imperialism. We are fierce
men. but we bend the knee and we
wear the yoke because the sword OF
destinyis in the hand thatdrives US. To.
day we are ruled by a prince whose
sire was not of the royal blood. Our
prince assumes an attitude of indie
pendence that we find difficult to over
come. He is prepared TO defy an old
precedent in support of new one. In
other words. he points out the unmis-
takably happy union of his own moth
err. the late Princess Yetive, and the
American Lorry, and it is something
we cannot go behind. He declares that
his mother set an example that he may
emulate without prejudice to his coun-
try if he is allowed a free hand in
choosing his mate.
"But we people of Graustark cannot
look with complaisanee on the possible
result of his search for a sharer of the
throne. Traditions must be upheld
or we die. True, the crown princess
of Dawsbergen has American blood In
her veins, but her sire is prince royal.
Her mother, as you know, was an
American girl. She who sits on the
throne with Robin must be princess
by birth or the grip on the sword of
destiny is weakened and the dynasty
falters."
They had not been in New York city
an hour before they discovered that
William w. Blithers was the man TO
whom they would have to appeal if
they expected to gain a fresh hearing
with the banks. The agents we're in a
dismal state of mind. The deal had
been blocked no later than the after
noon of the day before and at time
when everything appeared to be going
along most swimmingly. Blithers was
the man to see. He and he alone could |
bring pressure to bear on the director
ates that might result in a reconsid-
Grafton Of the surprising verdict. Some
thing had happened during the day to
alter the friendly attitude Of the banks. |
They were now politely reluctant as |