Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-03-01

ton. Love at first sight. Both of 'em.
Money 40 object. There you are.
Leave 1t to me-"
Maud is not the kind OF girl to take
up with stranger on board
Don't glare at me like that. Love
finds the way, 1t doesn't matter what
kind Of girl she is. But listen to me.
Lou, we've got to be mighty careful
that Maud doesn't suspect that we're
putting up a Job on her. Shed balk
at the gang plank. and that would be
the end of 1t. She must not know that
he is on board. Now, here's the idea"
and he talked on In a strangely sub
dued voice for fifteen minutes, his en-
thusiasm mounting to such heights
that she was fairly lifted to the sew
enth heaven he produced, and, for
once In her life, she actually submitted
to his bumptious argument without so
much as single protesting word.
The down train at 2:17 p. m. had
on board a most distinguished group
OF passengers. according to the Pull
man conductor, whose skillful conniv-
| ing resulted in the Punishment Of a
| few unimportant creatures who had
| paid for chairs in the observation
coach, but who had to get out, wheth'
er or no, when Mr.. Blithers loudly
said 1t was a nuisance having every.
thing on the shady side of the car
taken ION a hot day like this" He
surreptitiously informed the conductor
that there was a prince in his party
and that highly impressed official al
once informed ten other passengers
that they had no business in pri
vate car and would have to move.
The prince announced that Lieuten
ant Dank had secured comfortable
cabins on a steamer sailing Saturday
but he did not feel at liberty to men
ton the name of the boat owing to his
determination to avoid newspaper
men, who no doubt would move HEAVIER
and earth for an interview, now that
he had become person of SO much
importance In the social world. In
deed, his identity was to be more
completely obscured than at any time
since he landed on American soil He
thanked Mr.. Blithers for his offer tt
command the royal suit" on the Ju
piter, but declined, volunteering the
somewhat curt remark that it was hi:
earnest desire to keep as far away
from royalty as possible on the voy
age over A remark that Mr. Blithers
couldn't quite fathom. then or after
ward.
Arriving at the Grand Central ter
minal, Prince Robin and the coun
made off in a taxicab, smilingly de
clining to reveal their hotel destina
ton.
But where am | to send my attor
ney with the agreement you are t
sign, prince" asked Mr.. Blithers
plainly irritated by the young man!
obstinacy in declining to be dropped
at his hotel by the Blithers motor.
81 shall come to your office at II to
morrow morning, Mr.. Blithers," salt
Robin. his hat In his hand He hat
bowed very deeply to Mrs. Blithers.
But that's not right" clustered tn
fnancier "A prince Of royal bloot
hadn't ought to visit a money grub
bers Office. It's not
"Noblesse oblige." said Robin, witt
his hand on his heart. ut has been
pleasure to know you, Mrs. Blithers
trust we may meet again. If yo'
should ever come to Graustark pleas
consider that the castle is yours. a
you hospitable Americans would say
I'VE surely WILL" said Mrs. Blithers
Both the prince and Count Quinno
bowed very profoundly and did no
smile.
And It will be ours" added MI
Blithers, more to himself than to hi
wife as the two tall figures moved o.
with the throng. Then to his wife
Now to find out what ship they'r
sailing on. II; fix it so they'll have t
take the Jupiter, whether they wan
! 10 or not"
wouldn't It be wisdom to find Gu
what ship Maud is sailing on, Will
1t seems to me that she Is the req
problem"
Right you are." said he instantly
Il must be getting dotty in my old age
Lou"