Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

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Every Tuesday I'd liave a crown and a spectre—and— and everything?" " Everything!" Boris did not even trouble to point out that it was a sceptre, and not a spectre that a monarch—metaphorically ^« ielded. Wendell became elated. Revolutions, 85 he knew quite well, were of fairly frequent occurrence in El Dorania, and money, he had always been given to understand, could accomplish anything— except Aunt Mirmie's approval of his buit. Surely even she would surrender imconditionally to a king! "It will take a man of your force, your aggressiveness, your leadership," declaimed Boris, "to rattle the ancient bones of El Dorania." He saluted; Ricardo saluted; Wendell saluted—and then Wendell sank down into his chair entranced and clasped hi.i hand?, Boris and Ricardo regarded one another significantly—it is to bo feared that one of them even winked—and a discussion ensued—a discussion which reached a conclusion entirely satisfactory to all parties. But neither Boris AndriePF nor Ricardo Vaidez were aware of what was happening at the moment in El Dorania. The voyage between that diminutive but tempestuous kingdom and New York Harlxjur t(X)k six days—and in less than si.x days El Dorania could make (and also unmake) history. In the evening of the day upon which Wendell signed his name to a magnifi- cent-looking document produced from the ^wrtfolio Ricardo carried beneath his ■hiw a remarkable American witli the remarkable name of Zander Ulysses Parkbur-t was at tlie royal palace in f'aldera. capital of El Dorania, as the guest of King Oscar. Zander Ulysses Parkhui-st—usually known as " Zup " for short—parted his rt^ hair in the middle, wore tortoije- shell limmed spectacles, and smoked in- numerable cigars. His nose was long. BOY'S CINEMA his face was longer, his self-assurance wa? enormous. He had mot the king at a cafe which that monarch patronised incognito, and the king—for his own purposes—had in- vited Zup to dine with him at the palace. Zup went, only too delighted to go, because—as he himself informed Oscar— he was keen to .sec all the sights. The dinner w<is an excellent one, and Zup did full justice to all the courses which were sot before him by a variety of flunkeys. Afterwards there was a ball in the ball-room, which did not specially in- terest the thin-faced American, and in another spacious chamber the cream of El Doranian nobility and .society playcl roulette, dice, and a variety of otlic-r gambling games. King Oscar, seeing that Zup was bored with the dancing, led him away to this spacious apartment, and a golden-haired beauty in a gorgeous evening-frock, which vaguely suggested mourning, followed them. Zup and the king lost a few hundred dollars at the roulette-table, then gravi- tated towards another table at which dice were being thrown. The courtiers of both sexes made room for their monarch and his friends, then crowded round to wntch the play that followed between Zup and Osoar. It seemed that luck, instead of merolv smiling upon the American, laughed aloud that night. Every time he threw he beat the monach's throw. He won. and won and won till the heat of the room, combined with the champagne he had swallowed and the success lie achieved, made him a trifle light- headed. "There you are, Oscar, old king!" ho exclaimed triiimphanily as he picked up an absolute bundle of El Doranian banknotes. " You know. I'm kinda glad I dropped into your little village. I think I'm going to like it here." "Most extraordinary," said King O.scar. smiling, in spite of his losses. "But I shall venture again." "Yeah." nodded Zup. puffing at a cigar and waving the notes. "Go alieiad and venture. Anything you like, fioiu your regal shoes to the royal baking- powder !" "Very well, then." decided O.scar. "[ shall wager the royal timepiece." And from a pocket of his resplendent uni- form he produced a watch. "The royal timepiece, cli ?" .said Zup, examining the watch. "Oscar, you'vo got to lay off those bazaar boards. This thing won't go—for you, or with nie !" King Oscar looked mildly sur|)ri.sed and retrieved the watch. He made his way acro.ss the room »iiid came back with a square box. which he opener). Inside the box a golden crown, studded with diamonds, reposed in a nest of purple velvet. " 'Tis a pretty glancing at it. that, Oscar — tiling," decided Zup, "What do you c'li the El Doianiiiii panama ; "'Tis the Imperial Royal Crown of El Dorania," said Oscar indignantly. "Quit jour kiddin', Oscar, quit your kiddin'." laughed Zup. "How many cigarette coupons did you have to savo for that?" "Coupons?" breathed the king aghast, while a murmur ran round tlio assembly like the sound of wind in !i corn-field. "Man. that came from two of the greatest jewellers in the world I" "Okay!" responded Zup checifully. "Anything to help out a king fric'iid of mine !" He picked up th,> dice-box with one hand and extracted his cigar from li.s mouth with the other. "Come, babies." he cooed, "show mo those seven wonders of the world !" He emptied the box on to the Iwiiro- covered table. Three double-sixes ! King O.scar took the dice-box—and threw a three, a four—^and a one ! "There you are, Oscar." chortled Zup. helping liim.self to the crown. "Another forward i)ass !" Ho put the crown upon his head in he o;isual manner in which a more ** It will take a man of your force, your aggressiveness, your leadership," declared Boris, " to rattle the ancient bones of El Dorania." September 12th, 1931.