Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-04-07

decidedly. "A guidebook is prefera-
BILE to a guide for what we mean to do.
We shan't attempt any places which
the book says are unsafe for ANA
teurs. But what an excellent engrav-
ing that is over the fireplace, with the
chamols horns above it! Isn't that a
portrait of your emperor when he was
a boy?"
The landlady's eyes darted to the
picture. Zach, l had meant to carry it
away" she muttered.
The girls quick ears caught the
words. "Why should you carry 1t
away? Don't you love the emperor
that you would put his face out OF
sight?'
Not love Unser Leo?" cried the old
woman, Mortified why, we worship
him. gracious fraulein. We would die
for him any day, all Of us mountain
people-and, yes, all Rhaetians, l be-
lieve. l could not let you go back to
your own land with the idea that we
do not love the noblest emperor coun-
try ever had. As for what l said
about tire portrait, l didn't know that
I spoke aloud, | am so used to mum
bling to myself since l began to grow
deaf and old. But of course l wished
| it put away only because 1t is such
poor thing. 1t does Unser Leo no sort
of justice. You-yOu would not recog-
nize him from that picture If you were
to see him nOw.'
With this excuse Frau Yorvan hur-
ried out to fetch another dish, which
she said must be ready; to cool her
hot face and to scold herself for her
stupidity all the way downstairs.
She was gone some time, and the
girl, who had no doubt unwittingly
occasioned the old wOman's uneasiness,
| took advantage of her absence to
laugh-excited, happy laughter.
Poor, transparent old dear! So
pleased and proud Of her great secret,
which she thinks she's keeping so
well.' she exclaimed. I'm sure she
doesn't dream that she's as easy to
/
She's in a sad fright now lest we in
convenient foreigners should chance
upon her grand gentlemen tomorrow,
recognize one of them from the por-
trait and spoil his precious incognito.
"Then-you think that he is really
herein this out of the way aerie:
half whispered the grand duchess.
II feel sure he is," answered Prin-
cess Virginia.
For q moment there was silence
Then said the grand duchess, with an
air of resignation, "Well, | suppose we
should be glad, since we have come to
| Rhaetia for the purpose Of Dear ne.
ii can scarcely bring myself to say It,"
you may say it, since our dear Old
| lamb of q Letitia knows all about it
and is in with u.s." returned Virginia.
"But-but l truly didn't expect to find
him here. One knows he comes solGe-
times-its been in the papers-but this
time they had it that he'd gone to make
q weeks visit to poor old General Won
Borslok at the baths Of Melina, and
thought before we went to kronbuf9
with all our pretty letters of introduc-
ton. as he was away from the palace
there. it would be idyllic to use up the
| time with a visit to AlleheiliSen. |
don't want you and Letitia to think
that was just making catspaws or
you both and forcing you without
knowing to help me unearth him in his
lair. Still. as he is here
perhaps he isn't suggested the
grand duchess. II don't see that yon
have much ground for fancying So
"Oh, generalr' echoed Virginia scorn-
fully. Its instinct that so upon, not
ground-that woman's face when she
saw foreign tourists at her door out OF
season when she had right to think
she was safe from invasion; her STAN
mering about the best rooms being TAX
en-: her wish to get rid of us; her dis
tress that she couldn't possibly do so
without making matters worse; the
way she talks of her four gentlemen
her horror at my leze majesty; her con-
fusion about the portraits; her wish To
impress it upon us that Unser Leo Is
quite changed. Instinct ought to be
ashamed if 1t couldn't play detective
as far as that. But-of course we may
not see him. If she can help 1t, we
won't. He won't like being run to
earth by tourists when he is amusing
himself. and perhaps the trusty land
lady will send the intelligent young
guide whom / refused to warn him, so
that If he chooses he can keep out of
the way
81 almost hope she may send" said
the grand duchess. II don't think
Providence wills meeting here. You
have brought no pretty dresses. |
should like him to see you first when
you look your best, since to your mind
so much depends upon his feelings IN
this matter"
"Our first meeting is-on the knees
Of the gods" murmured Virginia.
And then Frau Yorvan came into the
room with q soufile.
| E-rT H-sCa. .-~---------~'Ta,StSs