The Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1903-1909, 1908-04-18

of.the hands.
The grand duchess grew pale, for thu
apple checked lady suddenly exhibited
these alarming signs Of emotion while
passing window of the private dining
room. Evidently some scene of horror
was being enacted outside, and Vir
ginia and Miss Portman had been
away for many hours
1t was the time for tea in England,
for coffee In Rhaeta. Frau Yorvan
had just brought In coffee for one,
with heart shaped sugared cakes
which would have appealed more
poignantly to the grand duchess appe.
tite II the absent ones had been with
her to share them. Naturally at the
good woman's outburst her magma
ton instantly pictured disaster to the
one she loved.
What oh, what is 1t you seer she
implored, her heart leaping, then fall
ing, But for once the courtesy due
to an honored guest was forgotten, and
the distracted Frau Yorvan fed from
the room without giving an answer.
Half paralyzed with dread of what
she might have to see, the grand duch-
ess tottered to the window. Was there,
yes, there was procession coming
down the billy street that led to town
from the mountain. oh, horror upon
horror! They were perhaps bringing
Virginia down, injured or dead, her
beautiful face crushed out of recogni-
ton! Yet, no; there was Virginia her.
self, the central figure In the process
sion. Thank heaven! II could be moth
ing worse than an accident to poor,
dear Miss Portman. But there was
Miss Portman, too, and very tall,
bronzed peasant man, loaded with
cloaks and rucksacks, headed the band,
while the girl and her ex-governess
followed after.
Unspeakably relieved, yet still pug
sled and vaguely alarmed the grand
duchess threw up the window over
looking the little village square. But
rs she strove to attract the truants'
attention by waving her hand and
crying out welcome or question,
whichever should come first, the words
were arrested on her lips. What could
be the matter with Frau Yorvanl
The stout old landlady popped out
through the door like n Jack out of his
box on very stir spring, few to the
overloaded peasant and. almost rudely
eibowing Miss Portman aside, began
distractedly bobbing up and down,
tearing at the bundle of rucksacks and
cloaks. Her inarticulate cries ascend
ed like incense to the grand duchess at
the open window. adding much to the
lady's intense bewilderment.
what has that man been d0ing7'
demanded the grand duchess in
loud. Arm voice. but nobody answered,
for the very good reason that nobody
heard. The attention of all those be-
low was entirely taken up with their
own concerns.
pray, mein frau, let him carry our
things indoors" Virginia was insist
Ing, while the tall man stood among
TIE lHIce WOIueu, uctiouicSS, pua az
parently a prey to conflicting emo
lions. II the grand duchess had not
been obsessed with certain Idea
which was growing In her mind she
must have seen that his dark face be-
trayed mingling of amusement, i'm
patience, annoyance and boyish mis-
chief. He looked like man who had
somehow stumbled into false posi-
ton from which 1t would be difficult to
escape with dignity, yet which he half
enjoyed. Torn between desire to
laugh and fly into a rage with the
ofhcious landlady, he frowned warn.
ingly at Frau Yorvan, smiled at the
princess and divided his energies be-
tween quick, secret gestures intended
Tor the eyes OF the Rhaetian woman
md endeayors TO- unburden himself In