Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-04-04

Teopold's breast seemed alive ana
struggling to be free from restraint
like a fierce wild bird. He shut his
lips tightly, breathing hard. Both for
got that a question had been asked.
but 1t was Virginia who spoke hrst,
since It is easier for a woman than
man to hide feeling.
81 wonder why you kept the ring
after my-impertinence."
81 had a good reason for keeping It.
won't you tell meY'
you're quick at forming conclu-
sions, Miss Mowbray. Can't you
guessY'
ITO remind you to beware Of strange
Young women on mountains"
mo"
Because your own picture il in
side?"
ut was a better reason than that"
"Am l not to ask it!'
ION that day you asked what you
chose. All the more should you do SO
now. since there's nothing l could re-
fuse you"
mot the half Of your kingdom. like
the royal men in fairy stories"
As soon as the words were out Vir-
ginia would have given much to have
them back. She had not thought OF
meaning they might convey, but she
tried not to blush lest he should think
of It now. Nevertheless he did think
Of it, and the light words, striking
chord they had not aimed to touch,
nd
reached that part of himself which the
emperor knew least about-his heart.
Half his kngdom?' Yes. he would
give it to this girl if he could. Heav-
ems. what it would be to share 1t
with her.
"Ask anything you WILL he said as
a man speaks in a dream.
"Then tell newly you kept the
ring
because the only woman l ever
cared-to make my friend took it from
her finger and gave it to me"
"Now the emperor is pleased to pay
compliments"
"-ou 4.4oly am sincere"
But you'd seen me only for an hour
| I',--".,. IT deserving your friendship
I'm afraid r.
"lor oae hour? That's true. Ant
how long ago is that one hour? A
week or so. suppose, as time counts
But then came yesterday and thu
thing you did for me. Now Tv'
known you always"
| "If you had, perhaps you wOuldn'
| want me for YOUR friend"
| II do want you"
The words would come. 1t was tru'
already. He did want her, but not a!
friend. His world-a world withou
women. without passion fiery enough
to devour principles or traditions-wa
upside down.
1t was we'll that the ten minutes
grace between dances was over ant
the music for the next about to begin
A young officer. Count Won Breitstein'
half brother. who was to be Mis-
Mowbray's partner. appeared in tn
distance looking for her. but stopped
seeing that she was still with the ON
peror.
"Goodby," said Virginia while he
words could still be only for the ear
Of Leopold.
mot goodby. We're friends"
Eyes. But we shan't meet often"
"Why? Are you leaving Kronburg?
"Perhaps-soon. don't know"
II must see you again. will &c
you once more. whatever comes"
"Once more, perhaps. hope &C
but
after that
"Who knows?"
"Once more-once morer' The word
echoed In Virginia's ears. She hear
them through everything, as one hear
the undertone of a mountain torrent
though a brass band may bray t
drown its deep music.
Once more he would see her, what
ever might come. She could CUES
why it might be only once, though b
would faln have that once again an
again repeated. for this game of her,
begun with such a light heart, wa
more difficult to play than she ha
dreamed.
If she could but be sure he cared
he would tell her SO In words and nc
with eyes alone. the rest might b
easy, although at best she could nc
see the end. Yet how In honor coul
he tell Miss Helen Mowbray that b
cared? And II the telling were not I
be In honor how could she bear to liv
her life?
"Once morev' What would happe
in that "once morew Perhaps notl
Ing save repetition Of grateful thank
and courteous words akin to a far,
well.
To be sure. Lady Mowbray and hi
daughter might run away and the II,
gotiations between the emperor's az
visers and the Grand Duchess Of Ba,
menburg-Drippe for the Princess vi
ginia'S hand mlCht he allowed To q