ousin Margaret's Annual Visit

aron Von Lodge was the head of a small country known as Lilliland near Switzerland. The time was the early 1900s.

Every year during the month of October the Baron's cousin Margaret visited the castle in Lilliland for a week. The Baron did not necessarily look forward to the visit but since it was family, he tolerated the event with modest enthusiasm. Lady Angela of Alpine Castle was always on hand to smooth any ruffled feathers during Cousin Margaret's stay.

The topic that always came up every visit was her claim to the title of Lilliland. She brought along a document that claimed that she was the rightful heir as the head of Lilliland. Every visit she also brought along a new advisor to argue for her rights. The advisor was usually a young handsome man fresh out of the university who was trying to get established. The advisor was always a bachelor and loved to go horseback riding.

Cousin Margaret was middle aged, attractive, liked horseback riding and young handsome men. Everyone in the castle knew that Margaret was just trying to impress the young bachelor with her regal background and social contacts among the nobility of Europe.

Initially the visit started off with a reception and banquet to impress Cousin Margaret and her companion. The following days were spent on horseback riding in the Alpine Mountains. After the third day the business meeting was held. The Baron had the advisor meet with Professor Hamblin, chief advisor and friend to the Baron. The professor usually brought his notes from the previous years to prove that Baron von Lodge was the rightful heir as Lilliland's leader. The professor's documents were undisputed and his argument very convincing after the many years, and Cousin Margaret's many visits, over which he had developed his eloquent defense of the Baron. The advisor usually expressed something to the effect that his client led him to believe that such strong proof and documentation did not exist. The Baron invited the advisor to relax and enjoy the balance of the week of the visit.

The Baron offered to make Cousin Margaret the official Baroness of Castle Lake of Lilliland to keep peace in the family.