Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-05-29

Wen, leave il 50. ! meant beCauS,
you are ut home IN these high a!ti
tudes, AMI tie rare thing l speak of i.
plant thar g"n0- i'm high places. |
IS said to lc tp:ul only in RhactiaI
mouniaiaS. though have never heart
of any one who has been able to tracl
II down"
as 1t our pink Ehaetian cdclweiss, OF
which We are so proud? Because if il
IS and you viii trust me know cX
actly where to take you to find il
With my help you could climb there
from here in a few moments"
She shook her head again. smiling IN
scru.ably. THANK you, it's not the
pink edelweiss. The scientific, the ESQ.
teric name I've promised that I'll tell
to no one, but the common people III
my native country who have heard Of
It would call the plant edelmann."
You have already seen 1t on the
mountain. but not growing"
Some channels hunter, like yourself.
had dropped 1t perhaps, not knowing
what Its value was. It's n great deal
to have had one glimpse-worth run
ming into danger for"
Perhaps. gna' fraulein. you don't
realize to the full the danger you did
run. No chance was worth 1t, believe
me-"
You. a chamois hunter, say thatT
"But I'm n man. You are n woman.
and women should keep to beaten
paths and safety"
The princess laughed. 81 shouldn't
wonder" said she, IF that's a Rhae-
tian theory. Rhaetian mans theory.
I've heard your emperor holds it."
"Who told you that, gna' fraulcin?'
He gave her sharp glance, but her
gray eyes looked innocent Of guile and
were therefore Mt their most danger
Gus.
"Oh. many people have told me.
Cats may look at kings. and the most
Insignificant persons may talk Of en-
perors. I've heard many things of
yours"
Good things or bad"
mo doubt such things as he truly
deserves. Now. can you guess which ?
But perhaps would tell you without
your guessing If were not so very.
very hungry" She glanced at the
pocket of his coat. from which pro-
truded generous bunch Of black
bread and ham. thrust in probably at
the instant when she had called for
help. Il can't help seeing that you
have your luncheon with you. Do you
want 1t all"-she carefully ignored the
contents Of her rucksack. which she
could not well have forgotten-"or
would you share IT."
The chamois hunter looked surprised,
though not displeased; but. then, this
was his first experience Of a feminine
explorer. and lie quickly rose to the oc-
casion.
There Is more. much more bread
and bacon. where this came FROM" he
replied. Twill you he graciously
pleased to accept something Of our
best:"
IF you please. then I. too, shall be
pleased" she said. Guilty. she re-
membered Miss Portman, but the dear
Letitia could not be considered now.
If she were alarmed. she should be
well consoled later.
Il and some friends of mine have a
"A sort Of hut round the corner from
this plateau and a short distance on"
announced the chamOis hunter, with a
gesture that gave the direction. mo
woman has ever been our guest, but
invite you to visit 1t and lunch there,
or. IL you prefer, remain here and in
a few minutes l will bring such food
as We can offer. At best it's not much
to boast of. We channels hunters are
poor men, living roughly"
The princess smiled, imprisoning
each new thought of mischief which
flew into her mind like a trapped bird.
i've heard you're rich in hospitality"
she said. "I'll so with you to your
hut. for it will be a chance to prove
the saying"
The eyes Of the hunter-dark, bril-
liant and keen as the eagles to which
she compared him-pierced hers. You
have no fear?" he asked "You are a
young girl. alone. save for me, in a
desolate place. For all you know, my
mates and l may be a band Of brig
ands."
"Baedeker doesn't mention the ex-
istence Of brigands in these days
among the Rhaetian Alps" replied
Virginia, with quaint dryness. .Tve
always found him trustworthy. Be-
sides, I've great faith in the chlvalry
Of Rhaetian men. and II you knew how
hungry l am you wouldn't keep me
waiting for talk of brigands. Bread
and butter are far more to the point. /"
Even search for the rare -edelmanD
may waltz"
Eyes; the edelmann may walton
me-" The last two words She dared
but to whisper.
You must pardon my going first"
said the man with the bare brown
knees. "The way is too narrow for
politeness."
Yet l wish that the peasants Mt
home had such courteous manners as
yours" Virginia patronized him pref
tily. You Rhaetians need not go to
court, / see. for lessons in behavior"
THE mountains teach US something.
maybe"
Something of their greatness. which
We should all do we'll to learn. But
have you never lived in a town."
"a man Of my sort exists in a town;
he lives In the mountains" With this
diplomatic response the tall figure
swung round a corner formed by q
bowlder Of rock. and Virginia gave q
little cry of surprise. The hut of
which the chamois hunter had spoken
was revealed by the turn. and 1t was
of an unexpected and striking descrip-
ton. Instead of the humble erection
Of stones and wood which she had
counted on. the rocky side Of the
mountain itself had been cHlxed to
give her sons shelter
a doorway and large square openings
FOR windows had been cut in the red
veined. purpiish brown porphyry. while