Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-05-15

him. OF course. though SIZE had been
childish enough long ago TO make him
her ideal and foolishly faithful enough
to keep him so. shs had always known
that he would never be more to her
than a shadow emperor. Some day he
would marry one of those other royal
girls who We're so much more suitable
than she. That would be natural and
right. as she had more than once told
herself with no conscious panS. but
now that the news had come. now that
the royal girl was actually chosen and
she must hear the letter and read
about the happy event in the newspa-
pers. it was different. She felt sud-
denly cold and sick under the blow
hurt and defrauded and even jealous
She knew that she would hate the girl
some wretchcd. commonplace girl,
with stick out teeth. perhaps. or no fig
ure and no idea of the way to wear her
clothes or do her hair.
But she swallowed hard and clinch-
ell her fingers under the voluminous
letter about Dandy Dinmont. "Oh, SO
our friend is going TO be married!" she
remarked lightly.
That depends" replied the grand
duchess. laughing mysteriously. with a
catch in her voice as If she had been n
nervous Girl-"that depends. You must
guess. But. no; won't tease you.
My dear, my dear. after Dal's letter.
coming, as II has come. In the midst of
such a conversation. ! shall be a firm
believer in telepathy. This letter on it.I
way to us must have put the thoughts
into our minds and the words on our
tongues. 1t may be that the emperor
of Rhaetia will marry; 1t may not. for.
my sweet. beautiful girl. it depends
upOn-you."
"Me" The voice did not sound to
Virginia like her own. Was she. too,
dreaming? Were they both in dream
'IIe wishes to marry you"
All the letters dropped from Vir-
ginia's lap-dropped and tluttered to the
grass slowly. like falling rose leaves.
Scarcely knowing what she did. she
| claSpcd her hands over the young hos
ON. shaken with the sudden throbbnG
of her heart. Perhaps such betrayal
Of feeling by royal maiden deco
rously sued (by proxy for her hand
was scarcely correct. but Virginia had
no thought for rules of conduct as laid
Gown for her too often by her mother.
ale wishes to marry-me:" sht
echoed dazedly. why
Providence must have drawn you
inclination toward him. dearest. 1t 1:
indeed a romance. Some day. no doubt
But how did he Virginia broke
off and began again. Did he tell thi.
to Da. and ask him TO write you"
"Not-not precisely that" admitted
the grand duchess. her face chanSin.
from satisfaction to uneasiness. fol
Virginia was difficult in some ways
though adorable in others. and helt
such peculiar IDEAS about life-inherit
ell from her American grandmother
that 1t was impossible to be sure how
she would receive the most Ordinar!
| announcements.
The princess rapt expression fade,
like the passing of dawn.
Not precisely that:" she repeated
'rhen what-how"-
well. perhaps. though it's not strict
ly the correct thing. you had bette
read your brothers letter for yourself
Virginia put her hands behind he
back with childish gesture. and
frightened look came into the eye
which at most times Gazed bravely VI
on the world. "l-somchow ! can't.
she said Please tell me"
ITO begin with. then. you know wha
an admiration bal has felt for Coun