The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1908-06-03

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1t seemed. He said that he had boon
out since early dawn and had had
good luck. Later he had returned to
the hut for a meal and a rest, while
hts friends went down to the village
on business which concerned them all.
AS they had not como back, they wore
probably amusing themselves, and
when be had given the ladies' all the
assistance in his power he would join
them.
The way down was easy to Virginia.
with his hand to help her when it was
needed, and she had never been so
happy in her twenty years. But, after
all, she asked herself as they ncarcd
the place where she had left Miss
Portman, what had she accomplish
ed? What impression was she lcav-
ing? Would this radiant morning of
adventure do her good or harm with
Leopold when Miss Mowbray should
meet him later in some conventional
way through letters of introduction to
court dignitaries at Iironburg?
While she wondered his voice broke
into her questionings.
II hope, gna' fraulein," the Chamois
hunter was saying, almost shyly and
as If by an effort, that you won't 90
away from our country thinking that
we RhaetianS are SO cold OF heart and
blood as you've seemed to fancy. We
men OF the mountains may he differ
ent from others you have seen, but
We're not more cold. The torrent of
our blood may sleep for Il season un-
der Ice Inf Nvhnn hn
rs 1t must and the ice metS, then the
torrent gushcS forth the more hotlv
because 1t has not spent its strength
before"
Il shall remember your words" said
the princess, "for my journal Of Rhae-
tia. And, now, here's my poor friend.
| shall have to make her thousand
excuses"
For her journal OF Rhaetia! For n
moment the man looked wistful, as If
1t were a pain to him that he would
have no other place In her thoughts
nor time to win 1t since the sat
lady In tourists hat ana eyeglasses
and the episode was practically closed.
He looked, too, rs If there was som"-
thing he would add to his last words
If he could, but Miss Portman saw the
two advancing figures and shrickcd
shrlll cry of thanksgiving
"Oh, I have been so drcadrulIy anx-
ious" she groaned. What has kept
you? Have you had an accident?
Thank heaven you're hcre began
to give up hope Of ever seeing you
again alive"
Perhaps you never would if it
hadn't been for the help of this good
and brave new friend of mine" said
Virginia, hurrying into explanations.
II got into dreadful difficulties up
there. 1t was much worse than |
thought, but Leopold"-Miss portman
started, stared with her ncarsi%htcd
eyes at the tall brown man with bare
knees. colored, gaSpcd and swallowed
hard after a quick glance at her pr!n-
cess-"Leopold happened to he near.
came to my help and saved me. Wasn't
1t providcntial? Oh, 1 assure YOU,
Leopold is a mOnarch-of chamois
hunters! Give him your cloak ana
rucksaCk to carry with mine, dear
Miss Manchester. Hes kind enough
to say that he'll guide us all the way
down to Allehciligcn, and I'm glad to
accept his Service"
Miss Portman, dcvout royalist
and firm believer in the right Of kings.
grew crimson, her nose especially. as
it invariably did at moments of strong
emotion.
The emperor of Rhactia here. caught
and trapped, like Pegasus bound To the
plow, and forced to carry luggage as
If he were n common portcr-worst Of
ALL her insignificant, twice wrctchcd
luggage!
She would have protested if she had
dared, but she did not dare ana was