Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-03-27

They had started at 8. just as the
September sun had begun to draw the
night chill out of the keen mountain
air, and now it was close upon II
The princess was hungry.
In Nordeck, the frontier town OF
Rhaetia as you come in from Ger
many, she had bought ruckSacks for
herself and Miss portman, to be used
upon just such mountain excursions
as this. and today the brown canvas
bags were being tested for the first
time. Each rucksack stored an ade
Quate luncheon for its bearer, while on
top, secured by straps passed across
the shoulders. lay a folded wrap to be
used in case of rain
Virginia's burden grew heavy as she
mounted, though at first its weight had
seemed trining. When she had waved
her handkerchief at the turning and
passed out of Miss Portman's sight ii
occurred to her that it would be clever
to tighten the ruck sack and satisfy her
appetite at the same time.
The one difficulty was that in her
present position she could not safely
unstrap the bag from her shoulders,
open it. take out the parcel Of luncheon
and strap it on again. The way was
too narrow and the rocks too slippery
to attempt such liberties. At a short
distance, however, and only little out
Of the path to the col she could see
small green plateau, the very place for
a rest. But could she reach It? The
girl stood still and looked wistfully
| across.
The place could be gained only by
| scramble over ledge of formidable
rocks and climbing in good earnest
| here and there. yet If the thing could
be done at all i could be done in ten
minutes. and to come back would be
comparatively easy. Virginia was
tempted.
'The dear Letitia will be eating her
own lunch by this time and won't miss
me If my half hour Is long one," she
thought. ''And, anyway. l said half
an hour or so. That means almost any
thing when 1t comes to an argument"
Another moment and the girl had
| started. She was brave at first. but
| wien she had gone halfway-a way
! which was longer and far more diff
ficult than she had fancied-she was
| conscious Of certain sinking Of the
! heart. She even felt some qualms OF
sympathy with the sentiments and in
| tentions Miss Portman had expressed
and heartily wished herself back by
that good lady's side. but 1t was against
her principles to be conquered. especial
" when being conquered meant turn
ing coward or something like 1t. and
she scrambled on obstinately. her
cheeks burning. her heart humping
and her lips pressed together.
What grim, remorseless giant the
mountain was, and what mere creep
ing fly upon its vast shoulder she! Lit
tie cared the old mountain that she
was a royal princess and that the en-
peror who ruled the land of which II
was part had the intention OF marry
ing her 1t would thwart that i'm
perial intention without qualm mol
turn pebble II the poor little princess
toppled over its cruel shoulder and fell
in small. crushed heap without eve,
having looked upon the face Of the
Rhaetian emperor.
Then there came later momen'
| when. like Miss Portman, whom she sc
recently laughed to scorn. the princess
4 felt that she could neither go on nor &C
back. She was horribly homesick. She
wanted her mother and the garden a
, Hampton Court and would hardly have
thrown n glance of interest ut Leo
pold If he had appeared before hel
, eyes. There We're tears In those eyes
and she was hating the mountain an6
all Rhaetia with her whole strength
when from the mysterious distanc,
around the corner of the plateau Their,
came the sound Of mans voice cheer
, fully yodeling.
Never had sound been so welcome
or seemed so sweet. 1t was to Nir
I ginia as the voice of an angel. Help,
. she called-''help!" first in English an,
| then, on second thought. in Rhaetian.
l The yodeling abruptly stopped, and I
nj man appeared round corner Of rocl
I beyond the green plateau. The sui
h shone in his eyes, and he shaded then
q with his hand to look up at her. Vii
r ginia stared hopefully, expectantly.
glance photographed tall figure In
!. gray coat passemoiled with green.
n soft green cap of felt, short trouser:
q bare knees, knitted stockings, naile
q boots; thank heaven, no tourist, bu
n evidently mountain man, guide G
channels hunter perhaps at q
II events. one capable Of coming to he
ia rescue. These things she saw an
IS thought in flash. and then the brow
o. hand that had shaded his eyes drcppe,
"A She caught sight of his face.
IT 1t was the emperor.
r. A moment ago she had felt that ST
!. could look at him with Indifferent
10 and would thousand times over pr
or fer a glimpse of the dear old house
10 Hampton Court. with an easy way
Il reach it, but now everything W;
changeh There WAS no longer III