The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-04-10

the most vital of her life-were after
ward in memory like Il dream.
She had seen that man was ghast-
ly pale; she had caught CLEAN of
fear in his eye; she had felt tigerish
CULVER run through his frame as the
crowd pressed him against her. In
stinct-and loye-had told her the rest
and taught her how to act.
Vaguely she recalled later that she
had thrown herself forward and struck
up the knife. An impression of that
knife as the light cleaned Oh it alone
was clear. Sickening, she had thought
Of the dull sound it would make in
falling, Of the blood that would spout
from q rent in the white coat among
the jeweled orders She had thought.
as one thinks in dying, Of existence IL
world empty of Leopold, and she ha
known that unless he could be saved
her one wish was to go out OF the
world with him.
More than this she had not thought
or known What she did was done
scarcely by her own volition, and she
seemed to wake with start at last.
to hear herself sobbing and to feel the
throb, throb, of hot pain in her arm.
A hundred hands-not quick enough
to save, yet quick enough to follow the
lead given by her-had fought to seize
the man in gray and stop second
blow. They had borne him away
while, as for Virginia. her work done,
she forgot everything and every one
but Leopold.
Reyiving, she had heard him speak
to the crowd and told herself dreamily
that were she dying his voice could
bring her back if he called. She even
listened to each word that rang out
like a cathedral bell above the babel.
Still he held her, and when the cheers
came she scarcely understood that
they were for her as well as for Leo
pold, the emperor Afterward, the ne
cessity for public action over, he bent
his head close enough to whisper,
'"Thank you," and then for Virginia
every syllable was clear.
"You are the bravest woman alive"
he said 81 had to keep them from
killing the ruffian, but now can
speak to you alone. thank you for
what you did with my whole heart
and / pray heaven you're not seriously
hurt"
"No, not hurt and very happy" the
princess answered, hardly knowing
what she said. She felt like soul re-
leased from its body, floating in blue
ether. What could it matter if that
body ached or bled? Leopold was
safe, and she had saved him.
He pointed to her sleeve. "The knife
struck you. Your arms bleeding, aud
the wound must be seen Immediately
by my own surgeon Would that could
90 with you myself, but duty keeps
me here. You understand that Baron
Won Lyndal and his wife will at once
take you home, wherever you may be
staying. They
'But ! would rather stop and see
the rest" said Virginia. I'm quite
we'll now, not even weak, and ! can
go down to my friend
'If you're able to stop, it must be
here with me-" answered Leopold.
"After the service you have done for
me and for the country it is your
place"
The ladies of the court, who, with
their husbands, had been waiting to
congratulate Leopold, crowded round
the girl as the emperor turned to them
with q look and gesture of invitation.
"A seat was given her, and the arm IN
its blood stained sleeve was hastily
bound up. She was the heroine OF the
day, dividing honors with its hero.
There was scarcely grande dame
among the brilliant ssemblage on the
emperor's platform to whom Lady
Mowbray and her daughter had not
letter Of introduction from their inval-
liable friend. But no one knew at
this moment Of any title to their recog-
milton possessed by the girl other than
the right she had earned by her splen-
did deed. All smiled on her through
grateful tears, though there were some
who would have given their ten fin
gers to have stepped into her place.
Thus Virginia sat through the cere-
monies, careless that thousands OF eyes
were on her face, thinking only OF one
pair Of eyes, which spared glance for
her now and then, hardly seeing the
statue of Rhaetia, whose glorious mar
BILE womanhood unveiled reused
storm Of enthusiasm from the crowd,
hearing only the short, stirring speech
made by Leopold.
When everything was over and the
people had no excuse to linger save to
see the emperor ride away and the
great personages disperse, Leopold
turned again to Virginia.
All the world was listening, OF
course; all the world was watching
too. and, no matter what his lncllna-
tion might have been, his words could
be but few.
Once more he thanked and praised
her for her courage, her presence OF
mind: thanked her for remaining as II
she had been granting favor to him
and asked her where she was staying
9n Kronburg, as he promised himself
the honor Of sending to inquire for her
health that evening.
His desire would be to call at once In
person, he added; but, owing to the
programme arranged for this day ana
several days to follow. not only each