Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-06-05

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The stout old ldndlddy fc,g to the Ovcr-
| loaded peasant.
| ing rufian? Can't you see he intends
| to steal your rucksacks or-or black
! mail you or something? Is there no
| manservant about the place whom the
| landlady can call to help herr"
All four of the actors on the little
stage glanced up. aware for the first
time of an audience, and had the
grand duchess eyes been younger she
might have been still further puzzled
by the varying and vivid expressions
Of their faces. But she saw only that
| the dark browed peasant man who had
glared so haughtily at poor Frau Yor-
van was throwing off his burden with
haste and roughness.
81 do hope he hasn't already stolen
| anything of value" cried the grand
duchess. Better not let him 90 until
you've looked into your rucksacks.
| Remember that silver drinking cup
you would take with YOU
She paused, not so much in Difference
to Virginia's quick reply as In amaze
| mert at Frau Yorvan's renewed ges-
ticulations. Was 1t possible that the
woman understood more English than
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 q
young man who cultivated so long g
space between stockings and trousers
might be capable of any crime.
'Ch. mc:hor, you're very mrch mis-
taken.' Virginia was protesting This
/ saved my life. You must thank him.
If it were not for him 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
misrepresentation.
"Ie saved your life?" she echoed
hnu tn, 4,
Heaven be thanked for your safety.
| and also that the mans not likely to
! know English or l should never for
give myself for what I've said Here
Is my purse. dearest. Catch 1t as |
throw and give it to him just as it is.
There is at least zoo in it. and
| only wish I could afford more. But
what is the matter. my child? You
look ready to faint"
AS she began to speak she snatched
| from desk at which she had been
| writing netted silver purse But
while she paused, waiting for Virginia
to hold out her hands. the girl forbade
| the contemplated act Of generosity
| with an implOring gesture.
I AAC Will uCScPt uO IcWuTu Whit
he has done except our thanks, and
those l 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 cOurtier rather than
the rough manner of peasant And
the grand duchess still hoped that the
1 t.rbt T..
really 1t was pretty picture and, it
seemed to her. presented n pleasing
phase Of Virginias character.
She eagerly awaited her daughters
coming, and, having fingered at the
window to watch with impatience the
rather ceremOniOus leave taking, she
fastened to the door of the improvised
sitting room to welcome the noun
taineers as they returned to tell their
adventures.
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.
Cant you guess? I'm surprised at
that since you We're so sure last night
OF certain persons presence not far
away. Why, who but your emperor
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 a
sitting position as because she expert
enced sudden uncomfortable weakness
! Of the knees. For 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 channels hunter into
| the inn.
MY dear old friend, you must learn
not to lose that well meaning head Of
yours" said he in the hall.
"Oh. but, your majesty
! Now. now. must remind you again
that his majesty is at Kronburg or
Petersbruck or some other Of his resi-
dences when am at Alleheiligen? This
time believe he's at the baths Of Me
lima. II you can't remember these
things l fear l shall be driven away
| from here to look for channels else