Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-03-31

"Yes, 1pould / not make an Gmpress7"
point of view are more desirable. still
you're strictly within the pale from
which Leopold is entitled to choose his
wife, and if
| Dear little mother, there's no such
if And, as for me. | wasn't thinking
of worldly point of view The EN-
perOr Of Rhaeta barely knows that
exist. And even If by some miracle he
should suddenly discover that little
Princess Virginia Mary Victoria Alex
andra Hildegrade of Baumenburg-
Drippe was the one suitable wife for
him on earth wouldn't have him want
me because | was suitable but-be-
cause | was irresistible. I'd want his
! loye-all his love-or | would say, NO;
you must look somewhere else for your
empress
But that's nonsense, darling. Roy
al people seldom or never have the
chance to fall in love-" said the grand
duchess.
I'm tired of being royal" snapped
the princess. Being royal does moth
ing but spoil all ones fun and oblgei
one to do stupid, boring things which
one hates"
Nevertheless noblesse does oblige,"
went on the Dresden china prophecies
Of conventiCnality. when alliances
IRE arranged for women of our posi-
ton. we must content ourselves with
the hope that love may come after
marriage, or, if not, we must so on do
ing our duty in that state Of life to
which heaven has graciOusly called
u.s."
Bother duty!' broke out Virginia.
Thank goodness, in these days not all
the kings horses and all the kings
men can make even princess marry
against her will hate that everlaSt-
ing cant about duty in marriage
When people love each other they're
kind and good and sweet and true be-
cause it's joy, not because it's
duty. And that's the only sort OF 10y
atty worth having between men and
women, according to me. | wouldn't
accept anything else from man, and
should despise him If he were less or
more eXacting."
"Virginia, the way you express your
self is almost improper. I'm thankful
that no one hears you except myself,
said the grand duchess. But ut this
moment, when clash Of tongues and
opinions seemed imminent, there oc-
Cured happy diversion in the arrival
Of letters.
Virginia, who was neglectful cor
respondent. had nothing, but two or
three important looking envelopes
claimed attention from the grand duch-
ess, and as soon as the ladies were
once more alone together in the sweet
scented garden she broke the crown
stamped seal of her son Adalbert now
by adoption crown prince of Hungaria.
"Open the others for me, dear she
demanded excitedly, while see what
Dal has to say" And Virginia leisure
ly obeyed, wondering whether Dal's
news would by and by be passed on
to her. 1t was always an event when
a long letter came from him, and the
grand duchess Invariably laughed and
exclaimed and sometimes bluShed as
she read, but when she blushed the
letter was not given to the crown
princes sister.
There was note today from an old
friend of her mothers Of whom Fir-
ginia was fond. and she had just be-
gun to be interested in the third para
graph, all about an adorable Dandy
Dinmont puppy. when an odd, half
stified ejaculation from the grand duch-
ess made the girl lift her eyes.
Has Dal been having something be
yond the common in the way of adven-
turesY" she inquired dryly.
Her mother did not answer, but she
. had grown pink and then pale.
Virginia began to be uneasy. what
!. Is the matter? Is anything wrong"
she asked.
"No-nothing in the least wrong, far
!. from 1t, indeed; but, oh, my child"
Mother, dear, what Is itT
Something so extraordinary, 90
wonderful mean as a coincidence
that can hardly speak. I suppose
can't be dreaming You are really
talking to me in the garden, aren't
you"
J 81 am, and l wish you were telling
me the mystery. Do, dear. You look
J awake, only rather odd"
"It would be strange II didn't look
. odd. Dal says-Dal says"-