The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-04-10


already. He did want her, but not as
a friend. His world-a world without
women, without passion fiery enough
| to devour principles or traditions-was
| upside down.
1t was well that the ten minutes
grace between dances was over and
the music for the next about to begin.
A young officer. Count Won Breitstein's
half brother, who was to be Miss
Mowbray's partner, appeared In the
distance looking for her. but stopped
seeing that she was still with the en-
peror
"Goodby." said Virginia while her
words could still be only for the ears
of Leopold.
Not goodby. We're friends"
eyes. But we shan't meet often"
"Why? Are you leaving Kronburg"
"Perhaps-soon. don't know"
81 must see you again. will see
YOU once more, whatever comes"
"Once more, perhaps. 1 hope SO,
but
"After that
"Who knows?"
"Once more-once morer The words
echoed in Virginia's ears. She heard
them through everything, as one hears
the undertone Of mountain torrent,
though a brass band may bray to
drown its deep music.
Once more he would see her, what
ever might come. She could guess
why it might be only once. though he
would fain have that once again and
again repeated for this game of hers.
begun with such light heart, was
more difficult to play than she had
dreamed.
If she could but be sure he cared. If
he would tell her so in words and not
with eyes alone, the rest might be
easy, although at best she could not
see the end. Yet how in honor could
he tell Miss Helen Mowbray that he
cared? And If the telling were not to
he in honor how could she bear to live
her life?
"Once morew What would happen
in that "once more?" Perhaps moth
ing save repetition of grateful thanks
and courteous words akin to fare
we'll.
To be sure, Lady Mowbray and her
daughter might run away and the ne
gotiations between the emperor's adj
visers and the Grand Duchess OF Bau-
menburg- Drippe for the Princess Fir-
ginia's hand might be allowed to go
OH as If no outside influence had ruff
fled the peaceful current Of events.
Then in the end surprise would
come for Leopold. Willful virginia
would have played her little comedy.
and all might be said to end well. But
Virginia's heart refused to be satisfied
with so tame last chapter. finish
to her romance so conventional as to
be distastefully obvious, almost If not
quite failure.
She had begun to drink n sweet and
stimulating draft-she who had been
brought up on milk and water-and
she was reluctant to put down the
cup, still half full of sparkling nectar.
"Once more!" If only that once could
be magnifed into many times. If she
could have her chance, her fling
like the lucky girls who were not
royal!
So she was thinking in the carriage
by her mothers side, and the grand
duchess had to speak twice before her
daughter knew their silence had been
broken.
81 forgot to tell you something, Vir-
ginia."
"Ye-es, motherT"
"Your great success has made me
absentmlnded. child. You looked like
shining white lily among all those
handsome. overblown Rhaetian wo.
men"
"Thank you. dear. Was that what
you forgot to say!'
"Oh. no. 1t was this: The Baroness
Won Lyndal has been most kind. She
urges us to give up our rooms at the
hotel on the first Of next week and
join her house party at Schloss Lyn-
dalberg It's only a few miles out OF
town. What do you think Of the
plan"
"Ieaye-KronburgW
"She's asked Il number Of friends-to
meet the emperor
ooh! He didn't speak Of it--when
we danced"
"But she has mentioned it to him
since. no doubt-before giving me the
invitation. Intimate friend Of his as
she is. she-woaldn't dare ask people to
meet him If he hadn't first sanctioned
the suggestion. Still, she can afford to