The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1908-05-20

not say that" cried the old woman,
looking as much shocked ns if her
young guest had broken one of the
commandments.
The girl laughed. "Why not2' she
inquired. Are the gentlemen of such
importance hat they mustn't be crit
icised by strangers?"
Frau Yorvan was embarrassed.
"rhey are excellent patrons of mine,
gracious fraulein; that is all meant"
said she. Il cannot bear that unjust
things should be thought of s~uch-good
gentlemen"
Il was only joking the girl reas-
sured her. 1--WE are perfectly satisfied
with this room, which you have made
most comfortable. All 1 care for is that
the famous walks in the neighborhood
shall not be private. l may at least
walk as much as l like and even climb
a little, l and m friend, Miss Man
chester, who is n daring mountaineer"
with this she threw Il glance at the
middle aged lady in black. who visibly
started and grew wild eyed in re-
sponse-"for l suppose that your guests
have not engaged the whole Scheehorn
for their own"
The l~andlady's hospitable smile re-
turned. mo, gracious fraulein. You
are free to wander as you will, but do
not, l beg you, 90 too far or attempt
any climbs Of real difficulty, for they
are not to be done without guides, and
take care you do not stray into wild
places where by making some move
ment or sound before were seen by
the hunters you might be mistaken for
q chamois."
Even our prowess is hardly likely
to lead us into such peril as that"
laughed the girl, who seemed much
more friendly and inclined toward con-
versation than the two elders Of the
party. But please wake us early to-
morrow morning. My friend Miss Man
chester and 1 would like to have break
tasted and be ready for a start by 8
o'clock at latest"
Again the placid features OF the lady
In black quivered, and, though she said
nothing, Frau Yorvan piticd her.
Would you not wish in any case to
have q guide? 2" she asked. II could en-
gage you an intelligent young man
who
THANK you. no." broke in the girl
decidedly. "a guidebook is prcfera-
BILE to n guide for what we mean to do.
We shan't attempt any places which
the book says are unsafe for anna
teurs. But what an excellent cngrav-
ing that is over the fireplace. with the
channels horns above it! Isn't that a
portrait Of your emperor when he was
n boy?"
The landlady's eyes dartcd to the
picture. Zach, L had meant to carry it
away" she muttered.
The girls quick ears caught the
words. why should you carry it
away? Don't you love the emperor
that you would put his face out OF
sightT"A
Not love Unser Leo?" cried the old
woman, Mortified. "Yhy, we worship
him, gracious fraulein. We would die
for him any day, all of us mountain
people-and. yes, all Rhaetians. | be
lleye. | could not let you go back to
your own land with the idea that we
do not love the noblest emperor coun.
try ever had. AS for what said
about the portrait, 1 didn't know that
l spoke aloud, | am SO used to mum
bling to myself since l began to grow
deaf and old. But of course | wished
1t put away only because it is such a
poor thing. 1t does Unser Leo no sort
Of justice. You-you would not recog-
nlze him from that picture if you were
to see him now"
With this excuse Frau Yoryan hur-
ried out to fetch another dish, which
She said must be ready; to cool her
hot face and to scold herself for her
stupidity all the way downstairs.
She was gone some time. and the
girl, who had no doubt unwittingly
occasioned the old woman's uneasincss,
took advantage of her absence to
la~ugh--excited. happy laughter.
Poor, transparent old dear! SO
pleased and proud of her great secret,
which she thinks she's keeping so
WE'LL" she exclaimed. I'm sure she
doesn't dream that she's as easy to
read as a book with big, big print.
She's in a sad fright now lest we in
convenient foreigners should chance
upon her grand gentlemen tomorrow,
recognize one Of them from the por-
trait and spoil his precious incognito."
~"Then-you think that he is really
herein this out of the way acric?'
half whispered the grand duchess.
II feel sure he is" answered Prln-
cess Virginia.
For a moment there was silence.
Then said the grand duchess, with an
air OF resignation, "Well, / suppose we
should be glad, since we have come to
Rhaetla for the purpose Of Dear me!