The Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1903-1909, 1908-04-15

browner and taller perhaps. Yet I'm
glad ii 1T you're a chamois hunter and
not an emperor-almost as glad as you
can be-
"Will you tell me why, ladyT
"Oh, for one reason, because
couldn't possibly ask him. If he were
here In your place, what I'm going TO
ask of you. You've very kindly laid
the bread and ham ready, but you for
got to cut them"
"a thousand pardons. Our talk has
set my wits woogathering My mind
should have been Oh my manners III
stead of on such faroff things as EN-
perors and their love affairs"
He began hewing at the big loaf as
If 1t were an enemy to be conquered
And there were few In Rhaetia who
had ever seen those dark eyes &c
bright
II like ham and bread cut thin
please said the princess. There;
that's better I'll sit here If you'll
bring the things to me, for ! find that
I'm tired. and you are very kind"
"A draft of our Rhaetian beer Will
do you more good than anything" sug-
gested the hunter, taking W the plate
of bread and ham he had tried hard To
cut according to her taste, placing II IN
her lap and going back to draw tank
ard of foaming amber liquid from q
quaint hogshead in corner.
But Virginia waved the froth crown
ed pewter away with smile and a
pretty gesture. MY head has already
proved not strong enough for your
mountains. I'm sure 1t isn't strong
enough for your beer. Have you some
nice cold water?
The young man laughed and shrug-
ged his shoulders 'Uur water here is
6t only for the outside of the body"
he explained. ITO us that's no great
deprivation, as we're all true Rhae'
tians for our beer. But now on your
account I'm sorry"
"Perhaps you have some milk?" sug-
gested Virginia. 81 love milk. And l
could scarcely count the cows, they
were so many, as came up the noun
tain from Aleheiligen."
Its true there are plenty of cows
about" replied her host. land | could
easily catch one But if fetch the
beast here can you milk itT'
"Dear me, no, Surely you, a great
strong man, would never stand by and
let~a weak girl do that? oh. almost
wish | hadn't thought of the milk If
Pm not to have it. long for 1t so
much"
"You shall have the milk, lady," re-
turned the chamois hunter. II
"How good you arer' exclaimed the
princess. 1T will be more than nice of
you. Butt don't want you to think
that I'm giving you all this trouble
for nothing. Here's something just to
show that | appreciate it and to re-
member me by"
She would not look up. though she
longed to see what expression the
dark face wore, but kept her eyes
upon her hand. from which she slowly
withdrew q ring 1t fitted tightly, for
she had had it made years ago, before
her slender fingers had finished grow
ing. When at last she had pulled off
the jeweled circet of gold she held 1t
up temptingly.
"What | have done and anything |
may yet do is pleasure" said the
hunter. But, after all, you have learn
ed little of Rhaeta if you think that
we mountain men ever take payment
from those to whom we've been able
to show hospitality"
"Ah. but Pm not talking of pay
ment," pleaded the princess. 81 wish
only to be sure that you mayn't forget
the first woman who, you tell me, has
ever entered this door"
The young man looked at the door,
not at the girl. 1T is impossible that
l should forget" said be, almost stiffly.
"Still, it will hurt me If you refuse
my ring" went on Virginia. please
at least come and see what it's like"
He obeyed, and as she still held up
the ring he took 1t from her that he
might examine 1t more closely.
''The crest of Rhaetiaw he exclaim-
ed as his eyes fell upon a shield of
black and green enamel set with small
but exceedingly brilliant white dia.
monds. How curious! I've been
wondering that you should speak our
language so well''-
"It's not curious at all really, but
very simple" said Virginia. Now"
with a faint tremor In her voice
''press the spring on the left side Of
the shield, and when you've seen
what's underneath ! think you'll feel
that you can't loyalty refuse to accept
my little Offering"
The bronze forefinger found a pins
point protuberance of gold, and, press
ing sharply. the shield few up to re-
veal tiny but exquistely painted
miniature of Leopold |. of Rhaetia.
The chamois hunter stared at 1t and
did not speak, but the blood came up
to his brown forehead.
you're surprised?" asked Virginia.
81 am surprised, because I'd been
led to suppose that you thought poorly
Of our emperor"
"Poorly! Now. what could have
given you that impressionT
"Whv Won nadia FIN of bia onini0u