Golden Valley chronicle. (Beach, Billings County, N.D.) 1905-1916, 1908-08-28

NCAAo. W olc IOy0!s aAu yCS-0nO yS.
our circumstances are such that-in
fact, for the present we're somewhat
handicapped !" -
Were beggars," said Virginia,
laughing. but it was not happy
laugh.
"Cophetua married the beggar maid,"
the grand duchess reminded her, With
elaborate playfulness. And, you
know, all sorts Of things have hap
pened in history-much stranger than
any one would dare put in fiction If
writing of royalties. My dear husband
was second cousin once removed to the
German emperor, though he was treat
ed But we mustn't speak Of that. The
subject always upsets me. What
was leading up to is this-though there
may he other girls who from q worldly
point of view are more desirable, still
you're strictly within the pale from
which Leopold is entitled to choose his
wife, and if''-
Dear little mother, there's no such
If And, as for me, wasn't thinking
of worldly point of view The en-
peror Of Rhaetia barely knows that
exist. And even If by some miracle he
should suddenly discover that little
Princess Virginia Mary Victoria Alex
andra Hildegrade Of Baumenburg-
Drippe was the one suitable wife for
him on earth l wouldn't have him want
me because l was suitable but-be-
cause was irresistible. Id want his
love-all his love-or l would say. NO;
you must look somewhere else for your
empress"
"But that's nonsense, darling. Roy
al people seldom or never have the
chance to fall in love-" said the grand
duchess.
I'm tired Of being royal" snapped
the princess. Being royal does moth
Ing but spoil all ones fun and oblige
one to do stupid, boring things which
one hates"
Nevertheless noblesse does oblige,"
went on the Dresden china prophecies
OF conventionality. when alliances
are arranged for women Of our posi-
ton. we must content ourselves with
the hope that love may come after
marriage, or. ii not. we must go on do
Ing our duty in that state Of life to
which heaven has graciously called
u.s."
Bother duty" broke out Virginia.
THANK goodness, in these days not all
the kings horses and all the kings
men can make even princess marry
against her will. l hate that everlast-
ing cant about duty in MARRIAGE
When people love each other they're
kind and good and sweet and true be-
cause It's a joy, not because it's
duty. And that's the only sort Of 10y
atty worth having between men and
women. according to me. l wouldn't
accept anything else from q man, and
should despise him ii he were less or
more exacting."
Virginia, the way you express your
self is almost improper. I'm thankful
that no one hears you except myself"
said the grand duchess. But at this
moment. when clash of tongues and
opinions seemed imminent, there &C.
CURED q happy diversion in the arrival
Of letters.
Virginia, who was a neglectful cor
respondent had nothing, but two or
three important looking envelopes
claimed attention from the grand duch-
ess, and as soon as the ladies were
once more alone together in the sweet
scented garden she broke the crown
stamped seal of her son Adalbert, now
by adoption crown prince of Hungaria.
"Open the others for me, DEAR" she
demanded excitedly, while see what
Dial has to say" And Virginia leisure
ly obeyed, wondering whether Dars
news would by and by be passed on
to her. 1t was always an event when
long letter came from him, and the
grand duchess invariably laughed and
exclaimed and sometimes blushed as
she read, but when she blushed the
letter was not given to the crown
princes sister.
There was note today from an old
friend Of her mothers Of whom Viz
ginia was fond, and she had just be-
gun to be interested in the third para
Dinmont puppy, when an odd, half
stiaed ejaculation from the grand Ouch
ess made the girl lift her eyes.
HAS Dial been having something be-
yond the common In the way Of adven-
tures?" she inquired dryly.
Her mother did not answer, but she
had grown pink and then pale.
Virginia began to be uneasy. what
is the matter? Is anything wrong"
she asked.
"No-nothing in the least wrong, far
from 1t, indeed; but, oh, my child"
saAfofhar dam 1zl,of 80