The Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1903-1909, 1908-05-02

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ginia would have given much to have
them back. She had not thought of a
meaning they might convey. but she
tried not to blush lest be should think
Of 1t now. Nevertheless he did think
Of II, and the light words, striking a
chord they had not aimed to touch,
went echoing or and on till they
reached that part of himself which the
emperor knew least about-his heart.
"Half his kingdomy Yes, he would
give it to this girl II he could. Heav.
ems, what 1t would be to share 1t
with her!
ASK anything you will." he said as
4 man speaks In a dream.
Then tell newly you kept the
ring"
Because the only woman / ever
cared-to make my friend took it from
her finger and gave 1t to me-"
"Now the emperor is pleased to pay
compliments"
"YOu know I am sincere"
But you'd seen me only for an hour.
Instead of deserving your friendship.
I'm afraid r.
"For N hour? That's true. And
how long ago Is that n hour? A
week or so, I suppose, as time counts.
But then came yesterday and the
thing you did for me. Now I've
known you always"
III you had, perhaps you wouldn't
want me for your friend"
II do want you"
The words would come. It was true
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 o Breitstein's
half brother. who was to be Miss
Mowbray's partner. appe AIRED In the
distance looking for her. iMt 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. k
mot goodby. We're friends" {
"Yes. But we shan't meet often"
why? Are you leaving Kronburg"
"Perhaps-soon. | don't know" !
II must see you again. | will see
you once more, whatever comes"
"Once more, perhaps. hope 50,
After that
who knowsr'
"Once more-once more!' The words ,
echoed In virginia's ears. She heard b
them through everything, as one hears \
the undertone Of q mountain torrent, s
a brass band may bray to 7
drown Its deep music. o
Once more he would see her, what b
might come. She could guess II
why 1t might be only once, though he |"
would faln have that once again and
again repeated, for this game Of hers.
begun with such a light heart, was -
more difficult TO play than she had
dreamed.
II she could but be sure he cared, il
ne would tell her SO In words and not
with eyes alone, the rest might be o
sasy. although at best she could not s se
zee the end. Yet how In honor could n
10 tell Miss Helen Mowbray that he Sc Sc
'ared2 And II the telling were not to {,
" in honor how could she bear to live Nj
Ter life? hi
"Once moreP' What would happen OF
n that "once morew Perhaps moth
ng save a repetition Of grateful thanks
md courteous words akin to a fare
yell.
To be sure, Lady Mowbray and her
laughter might u away and the ne
rotations between the emperor's ad-
isers and the Grand Duchess of Bau-
nenburg- Drippe for the Princess vlr-
tnia's hand might be allowed to 60 OF
n as IL no outside influence had ruff. in
ed the peaceful current Of events. Nc
hen In the end a surprise would th
for Leopold. Willful Virginia U.
'o"Au nave PI0yeu hef utie cOueuy |
nd all might be said to end well. But hi
irginia's heart refused to be satisfied
18th so tame a last chapter, a finish Ba
} her romance so conventional as to 8
. distastefully obvious, almost II not -
ute a failure.
She had begun to drink a sweet and
imulating draft-she who had been
rought up on milk and water-and ,
ie was reluctant to put down the T
Up, still half full Of sparkling nectar. ids
Once moreg' II only that once could his
} magnified into many times. II she reI
'uld have her chance, her ding" ma
Re the lucky girls who were not at
yall his
OF,