The Marshall republican., 1908-06-05

We o0Nt do better"
People were vexed ut the audacity OF
the girl and the elderly woman and
would have pushed them back. but at
the critical second the blue and silver
uniformed band Of Rhaetia's crack
regiment. the Imperial Life guards.
struck w an air which told that the
emperor was coming. Promptly the
small group concerned forgot Its grisv.
nnce In excitement. crowdips together
80 that Virginia was pressed 10 the
front. and only Miss Portman was
pushed ruthlessly Into the background.
The poor lady raised a feeble protest
In English which nobody needed unless
II were the man who had inadvertently
acted az pioneer. At her shriil out-
burst he turned quickly. as II startie1
by the sudden cry. and Virginia was
30 close to him that her chin aimose
touched his shoulder. For the first
time she had a glimpse Of his face.
which matched the yellow wax Of his
neck In pallor.
The girl shrank away from him In.
voluntarily. what a deaths head
she thought-"a sly. wicked face an
awful eyes. He looked frightened. !
wonder why"
Assured that the sharp cry did not
concern him. the nan turned to the
front again. and, having obtained his
obJect-a place In the foremost rank OF
the crowd, with n incidentally foe
the princess-he proceeded to take
from bis breast a roll Of parchment
tied with narrow ribbon and sealed
With a large red seal. As be drew =
nut and r~earranged his coat his hand
trembled. II, too. was yellow white.
The fellow seemed to have no blood II
him.
Virginia. standing now shoulder -
shoulder with the man In gray and
crimson. had Just time to feel a stir.
ring Of dislike and perhaps curiosity
when a great cheer arose from thou.
sands Of threats. The square rang
with a roar of loyal reclamation. Mea
waved tall hats, soft hats and green
peasant hats with feathers. Beautiful
~ dressed women grouped or the high
decorated balconies waved handker@
chiefs or scattered roses from gildeA
baskets. Women In gorgeous costumes
from faron provinces held up half
frightened. half laughing children, ana
then u white figure on . white charoes
came riding into the square under tho
triunlphal arch wreathed with haU
and lowers. ~
Other fgures followed--men In unk
forms OF green and gold and red %
coal black h~orses-yet Virginia saW
only the white figure. shining. wondse
ful.
Under the Offering helmet Of stssl
with It's gold eagle, the dark face wss
clear cut as q cameo. and the eyse
were bright with q proud light. n
the crowd he was the emperor. . nna.
popular, brilliant young man. whe
ruled his country better than Il haA
been ruled vet by M Of his house and.
above aii. provided many Q pleasing
spectacle for the people. bat 10 w.
ginla be was far more-an ldeal ~
Galahad or Z st. George strong ana
brave to Stay all dragon wrongs which
might threaten his wide land.
what II he should never love mer'
was the M sharp thought which pierre
ed her pride OF him. n
The people were proud, too. az he sat
there controlling the white war horse,
with its gold and silver trappings, tho
crusted jewels Of many orders spap
king on his breast. while he saluted
his subjects In bis soldiers way.
For q moment there was . pause.
save for a shouting. which ros and
rose again. Then he alighted. where
upon irs..o-tant looking men with rib
IONS and Ia oratlr's cnmsk forward.
siog Il u receive the emperor, The