Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-04-14

but exceedingly brilliant white dia
monds. "How curious! I've bee
wondering that you should speak ou
language SO well"-
Its not curious at all really, bu
very simple" said Virginia. "Now,
with a faint tremor In her voice
"press the spring on the left side o
the shield, and when you've seel
what's underneath I think you'll fee
that you can't Loyalty refuse to accep
my little Offering"
The bronze forefinger found pin
point protuberance Of gold, and, press
ing sharply, the shield few up to re
veal Il tiny but exquisitely painte'
miniature of Leopold I. Of Rhaetla.
The chamois hunter stared at it ant
did not speak, but the blood came NJ
to his brown forehead
you're surprised?" asked Virginia.
II am surprised, because I'd beel
led to suppose that you thought poorl!
Of our emperor"
"Poorly! Now, what could hav,
given you that impression"
"Why, you made fun Of his opinion
| Of women"
"Who am l, pray, to make fun o
m emperor's opinion, even in mat
| ter he would consider so unimpOrtant
On the contrary, | confess that |. like
most other girls / know, am deeply
interested In your great Leopold i
only because I-we-would be charita
bly, minded and teach him better A.
| for the ring, they sell things more ol
less of this sort in several of the
Rhaetian cities I've passed through or
my way here. Didn't you know that?'
"No, lady, I have never seen one
like it."
"And, as for my knowledge Of Rhae
tian, I've always been interested IN
the study Of languages. Languages
are fascinating to conquer, and then
the literature Of your country Is sc
splendid one must be able to read II
at first hand. Now, you'll have to say
Yes to the ring, won't you, and keei
It for your emperor's sake, If not foI
mine?
MAY l not keep it for yours as
well?'
"Yes, If you please. And-about the
milk"
The chamois hunter caught up n
,,o,dy ;uu onJ ,,ithnuf furthar ,r,r1c
went out. When he had gone the
princess rose, and, taking the knife be
had used to cut the bread and ham
she kissed the handle on the place
where his fingers had grasped it.
you're very silly girl, Virginia, my
dear" she said. But, oh, how you de-
love him. How he is worth loving
and-what glorious hour you're hay
ingw
For ten minutes she sat alone, per
haps more. Then the door was flung
open and her host flung himself in.
no longer with the gay air which had
sat like a cloak upon him, but hot and
sulky, the jug in his hand as empty
as when he had gone out.
81 have failed" he said glOomily-"l
have failed, though l promised you
the milk"
Couldn't you find a cow?" asked
Virginia.
"Oh. yes, | found one, more than
one, and caught them too. | even
forced them to stand still and graspel
them by their udders, but not drop
Of milk would come down. Abomina-
BILE brutes. / would gladly have killed
them. but that would have given you
no milk"
For her life the princess could not
help laughing. his air was so desperate.
cf only those cows could have known
who he was and appreciated the honor.
pray, pray don't mind" she begged.
"You have done more than most men
could have done. After all. I'll have
a glass of Rhaetian beer with you to
drink your health and that Of your EN-
peror. l wonder. by the bye. ii he.
who prides himself OH doing all things
well, can milk cow"
IF not. he should learn said the
chamois hunter viciously. There's no
knowing, il seems, when one may need
the strangest accomplishments and be
Inundated for lack OF them
mo, not humiliated." Virginia as
Bured him. Its always instructive to
find out ones limitations. And you
have been most good to me. See, while
you were gone ate the slice Of bread
and ham you cut, and never did meal
taste better. Now. you must have
many things to do which I've made
you leave undone. I've trespassed on
you too long"
Indeed, lady, 1t seems scarcely
moment since you came, and / have no
work to do" the chamois hunter in
sisted.
But I've q friend waiting for me on
the mountain" the princess confessed.
Luckily she had her lunch and will
have eaten it, and her guidebook
must have kept her happy for awhile,
but by this time I'm afraid she's anX-
ious and would be coming in search Of
me II she dared to stir. | must go.
VIII you tell me by what name shall
remember my rescuer when recall
this dayW
"They named me for the emperor"
"They were wise. 1t suits you. Then
I shall think of you as Leopold. Leo
pold what? But, no; don't tell me the
other name. 1t can't be good enough
to match the first, for, do you know, |
admire the name Of Leopold more than
any other I've ever heard? So. Leo
pold, will you shake hands for good
byT
The strong hand came out eagerly
and pressed hers. THANK you, gna'
fraulein, but it's not goodby yet. You
must let me help you back by the way
you came and down the mountain"
evil you really? l dared not ask
as much for fear, in spite Of your kind
hospitality, you We're, like your noble
namesake, q hater Of women"
That's too hard word even for an
emperor. lady. while. as for me. IL
ever said to myself no woman can he
n " m