Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-03-31
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 The stout old landlady fe,v to the oper.
 loaded peasant.
 her guests supposed and feared lest the brigand, perhaps equally well in- structed, might seek immediate re- venge? His bare knees alone were evidence against his character in the eyes of the grand duchess. They gave him brazen, abandoned air, and a young man who cultivated so long space between stockings and trousers might be capable of any crime.
 "Oh, mother, you're very much mis- taken" Virginia was protesting. "This man is great friend of mine and has saved my life. You must thank him. If it were not for him I might never have come back to you"
 At last the meaning of her words penetrated to the intelligence of the grand duchess through an armor of misapprehension.
 | "He saved your life?" she echoed. "Oh. then you have been in danger! Heaven be thanked for your safety, and also that the mans not likely to know English or I should never for give myself for what I've said. Here is my purse, dearest. Catch it as throw and give it to him just as it is. There is at least f20 in it. and I only wish I could afford more. But what Is the natter my child? You look ready to faint"
 AS she began to speak she snatched from desk at which she had been i writing a netted silver purse But 1 while she paused, waiting for Virginia to hold out her hands, the girl forbade the contemplated act of generosity with an imploring gesture.
 He will accept no reward for what he has done except our thanks, and those I give him once again." the girl ! answered She then turned to the chamois hunter and made him pres ent of her hand, over which he bowed with the air of a courier rather than the rough manner of peasant. And the grand duchess still hoped that the emperor might be at the window, as really it was pretty picture and. 1t seemed to her, presented a pleasing phase of Virglnias character. | She eagerly awaited her daughters coming. and, having fingered at the window to watch with impatience the rather ceremonious leave taking, she hastened to the door of the improvised sitting room to welcome the noun | taineers as they returned to tell their adventures.
 l My darling, who do you think was listening and looking from the win dow next ours?" she breathlessly in- Quired when she had embraced her newly restored treasure, for the secret of the adjoining room was too good to keep until questions had been put. l Cant you guess? I'm surprised at that since you were so sure last night of a certain persons presence not far away. Why, who but your emperor 1 himself"'
 The princess laughed happily and kissed her mothers pink cheek. Then he must have an astral body" said she, since one or the other has been with me all day. and it was to him or his doppelganger-that you offered your purse to make up for accusing him of stealing"
 The grand duchess sat down. not so much because she wished to assume sitting position as because she expert enced q sudden uncomfortable weakness of the knees. For a moment she was unable to speak or even to speculate, but one vague thought did trail dimly across her brain: Heavens. what have done to him? And maybe some day he will be my son-in-law."
 Meanwhile Frau YOrvan-a strange { ly subdued Frau Yorvan-had droOp ingly followed the chamois hunter into the inn.
 My dear old friend. you must learr not to lose that well meaning head oi yours. said ne m the naii-
 ''Oh. but. your majesty "Now. now. must 1 remind you sgaif that his majesty is at Kronburg oI Petersbruck or some other of his resi- dences when I am at AlleheIllgen7 Thi: time believe he's at the baths of Me lima. If you can't remember thess things fear shall be driven away from here to look for chamois else where than on the Schneehon."
 Indeed. I Will not be so stupid again. yoUr-I mean will do my very Lest not 10 forget. But never before have been so tried. to see your high brrn. imperial shoulders loaded dowI as if-as if you had been a common EepacktTager for tourists instead of
 "A chamOis hunter. Don't distress yourself. good friend. I've had a day of excellent sport
 For that I am thankful. But to ses your-tO see you coming hack in suct an unsuitable way has given me . weakness of the heart How can I or der myself civiIly to those ladies vht have
 -~who have given peasant Leopolc some hours of smuseuent- Be nor