The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-03-20

Won Breitstein ever since that diplo-
matte visit the Rhaetian chancellor
paid to Hungaria. The fancy seemed to
be mutual; but. then, who could ever re-
sist Dal If he wanted to be liked? The
chancellor has written to him from
time to time, and Dal has quite en-
joyed the correspondence. The old
man can be witty as we'll as cynical
If he chooses, and Dal says be tells
good stories. Now, 1t seems, In the
informal way in which such affairs are
usually put forward, that Count Won
Breitstein has written confdentlally to
Dal, as our only near male relative,
asking how your family would regard
al alliance between Leopold and you
or If we have already disposed of your
hand. at last the emperor Is inclined
to listen to his chancellors advice and
marry, and you, as Protestant prin-
cess
"a Protestant princess, indeed"
cried Virginia. II protest against be-
Ing approached by him OH such terms" "
The face Of the grand duchess was
darkened by the gloom Of her thoughts.
"My daughter" she exclaimed mildly,
yet despairingly, its not possible that
when this wonderful chance, this un-
heard Of chance, this chance that you
were praying for, actually falls into
your hands you will throw it away for
for a sentimental schoolgirl scruple."
81 was not praying for It," said Vir-
ginla I'm sure. mother, you would
have considered it most bold in me to
pray for it. And didn't. I was only
refusing other chances"
"WelI, at all events, you have this
one now. 1t IS yours"
"Not in the one way 1 should have
loved to see it come Oh, mother, why
does the emperor want to marry ne?
Isn't there some other reason than just
because I'm proper Protestant prln-
cessY'
"Of course" insisted the grand duch-
ess. family encouraged. "Dal men
tions several most excellent reasons IN
his letter, if you would only take them
sensibly."
81 should like to hear them, at all
events" answered Virginia.
"Wcll, you see, the empress Of Rhae-
tia must be a Protestant, and there
aren't many eligible Protestant girls
who would be acceptable to the Rhae-
tians-girls who would be popular with
the people Oh, have finished about
that! You need not look SO desperate.
Besides, Dal explains that Leopold is
young man who dominates all around
him. He wishes to take for his bride
a girl who could not by any possibility
herself be heiress to n throne. Dal
fanclcs that his desire is to mold his
wife and therefore to take girl with
out too many important and importu-
nate relatives, for lie Is not one who
would dream Of adding to his great
ness by using the wealth or position
Of woman He has all he needs or
wants Of that sort And then, Dal re-
minds me, Leopold Is very partial to
England, which helped Rhaetia passive
ly In the time Of her trouble eight
years ago The fact that you have
lived in England and had IN English
education would be favorably regard
ed both by Leopold and his chancellor.
And, though I've never allowed you to
have a photograph taken since you
were a child q hate seeing young girls
faces in the newspapers and magazines;
even though they are royal their fea-
lures need not be public property and
you have lived here In such seclusion
that you've been little seen, still the