Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-05-12


STEMS visit to his brother, and the
grand duchess was beginning to Won
der uneasily what kept her daughter
when ringed fingers tapped on the pane
Of the door.
Come In! she answered, and Nir'
ginia appeared, still in the white ten
mis- dress she had worn that afternoon
She stood for an instant without speak
ing, her face SO radiantly beautifu'
that her mother thought it seemed II,
lumined from light within.
1t had been on the lips Of the grand
duchess to scOld the girl for her tardi'
ness, since to be late was al unpardon'
able offense with all imperial majesty
In the house. But In that radiance the
words died.
"virginia, what is it? You look-l
scarcely know how you look. But you
make me feel that something has hap
pened."
The princess came slowly across the
room, smiling softly. with an air OF
one who walks in sleep. Hardly con
scious Of what she did, she sank down
in q big chair and sat resting her ell
bows on her knees, her chin Nesting
between her two palms, like a pink
white rose in its calyx.
"You may go, Ernestine," said the
grand duchess to her maid. "Tll ring
when want you again"
The elaborate process Of waving and
dressing her still abundant hair had
fortunately come to q successful end
and Ernestine had just caused dia
mond star to rise above her forehead
She was in robe de chambre, and the
rest of her toilet could wait til curios
ity was satisfied.
But Virginia still sat dreaming, hel
happy eyes far away. The grand duch
ess had to speak twice before the girl
heard and started little. MY daugh
ter, have you anything to tell me?"
The princess reused herself. Moth
ing, mother, really. except that I'm the
happiest girl on EARTH"
"Why, what has he said?
"Not one word that any one mightn't
have listened to. But know. He does
care. And l think he will say some
thing before we part"
"Theres only one more day Of his
visit here after tonight"
Zone whole long, beautiful day to-
gether."
"But, after all, dearest" argued her
mother, what do you expect? If In
truth you were only Miss Mowbray
marriage between you and the emperor
would be out Of the question. You've
never gone into the subject Of your
feelings about this quite thoroughly
with me, and l do wish knew pre-
cisely what you hope for from him
what you will consider the-the key
stone of the situation"
"Only for him to say that he loves
me-" Virginia confessed. III I'm right
II I've brought something new into his
life, something which has shown him
that his hearts as important as his
head, then there will come a moment
when he can keep silence no longer
when he'll be forced to say, I love you
dear, and because we can't belong to
each other day is turned into night fol
me- Then when that moment comes
the tide Of my fortune will be at its
nood. shall tell him that love him
too. and shall tell him all the truth.
you'll tell him who we really areT'
Eyes, and why I've been masQuer
ading-that It was because, ever since
was little girl, he'd been the one
man in the world for me: because.
when our marriage was suggested
through official channels, I made uT
my mind that I must win him first
through love or live single all my
days"
"What II he should he vexed at the
deception and refuse to forgive you
You know, darling, we shall be In q
rather curious position when every
thing comes out, as We have made al
our friends here under the name OF