The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-04-24
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! CHAPTER THIRTEEN :


rooms
Leopold had shown himself at the
table each morning, however, and set
the fashion. And the day after the
parting in the garden he was earlier
even than usual 1t was easy to be
early. as he had not been to bed that
night, but he had an extra incentive.
He could scarcely wait to. see how
Helen Mowbray would meet him
whether she would still be cold or
whether sound advice from her mother
would have made her kind
This was his last day at Lyndalberg.
By his special request no programme
of entertainment had been arranged.
and before coming down to breakfast
Leopold had been turning over in his
mind plan after plan for another
chance Of meeting the girl alone. He
had even written letter. but had
torn it up because he was unable to
say on paper what was really in his
heart.
Breakfast passed, however, and when
she did not appear Leopold grew rest
less. He did not ask for her before
the others, but when he and the baron
ess had strolled out together on the
terrace, where white peacocks spread
their jeweled tails, the emperor sought
some opportunity of bringing in the
name that filed his thoughts.
81 see the red October lilies are open
ing" he said. Miss Mowbray will be
interested. She tells me there's moth
ing like them in England"
"Ah she has gone just too soon!'
sighed the baroness.
The emperor glanced quickly from
the mass of crimson flowers to- his
hostess face. "Goue?" he repeated. !.
eyes" the baroness answered. "rhey
must have reached Kronburg before.
this. You know. they left their COM
panion there. Perhaps your majesty
did not realize that they were leaving
here quite so early?
He turned so white under the brown
tan the mountains had given that the
baroness was alarmed. She had taken
Virginia's words as Virginia had
meant her to take them and therefore
supposed that formal farewell of,
some sort had been spoken. This i'm
preston did not prevent her from
guessing that there must have been
misunderstanding, and she was tin
Cling with lively curiosity which she
--,o,.oI>I,,rofl no f,,1lv tN hide
The romance which had been enact
ed under her eyes she believed to be
largely of her own making. and, not
being bad hearted woman, she had
grown fond of Virginia. She had even
had pangs Of conscience, and, though
she did not see the way for happy
ending to the pretty drama, it dis
tressed her that the curtain should go
down on sadness.
Il did not know they were going at
ALL" Leopold answered frankly. will
ing to sacrifice his pride for the sake
of coming quickly at the truth.
"Oh," exclaimed the baroness. 81 am
distressed! Miss Mowbray distinctly
wait, The emperor will understand
81 do understand-now know they
have gone," he admitted. But Miss
Mowbray thinks she has some cause
Of complaint against me, and she's
mistaken. can't let such mistake
60 uncorrected. You say they must be
at Kronburg before this. Are they
staying on there?'
'I'm afraid not, your majesty. They
leave Kronburg for England today by
the Orient express"
"Do you happen to remember at
what hour the train starts?"
~ believe at -"
Leopold pulled out his watch. 1t was
twenty minutes past II. Forty times
sixty seconds and the girl would be
gone!
The blood rushed to his face. Bar
ring accidents. he could catch her If
he ordered his motor car and left at
cnce. But to cut short his visit at
Schlcss Lyndalberg would be virtually
to take the world into his secret. Let
him allege important state business at
the capital if he chose, gossip would
still say that the girl had fed; that he
had pursued her. The baroness knew
already Others would chatter as il
they knew. That was inevit1ble-if he
went
A month ago, when yielding TO in
clination meant humbling his pride as
emperor and man, such a question
would have answered itself. Now it
answered itself also, the only differ
euce being that the answer was exact
ly opposite to what it would have been
q month earlier.
Baroness, forgive me-" he said
quickly. 81 must go. can't explain"
"You need not try" she answered
softly.
'Thank you a hundred times. Make
everything as straight for me as you
can. Say what you will. I give you
carte blanche, for were old friends,
and l trust you"
'Its for me to thank your majesty.
You want your motor carr"
eyes"
"TllStelephone. Your chauffeur will
have It here in six minutes. And your
aid-de-camp. Will you
81 don't want him, thanks. I'd rather
so alone"
Seven minutes later the big white
motor car was at the door which was
the private entrance to the emperor's
suit, and the emperor was waiting for