Golden Valley chronicle. (Beach, Billings County, N.D.) 1905-1916, 1908-08-28
that you would put his face out OF

stght?"
mot love Unser Leo?" cried the old
woman, horriaed. why. we worship
him, gracious fraulein. We would die
for him any day, all Of US mountain
people-and, yes. all Rhaetians, l be-
lieve. could not let you 60 back to
your own land with the idea that We
do not love the noblest emperor coun-
try ever had. As for what l said
about the portrait, I didn't know that
I spoke aloud, l am so used to mum.
bling to myself since began to grow
deaf and old. But Of course wished
it put away only because 1t is such a
poor thing. 1t does Unser Leo no sort
Of justice. You-you would not recog-
nize him from that picture IL you were
to see him now"
With this excuse Frau Yorvan hur-
rted 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 uneasiness,
took advantage Of her absence to
laugh-excited, happy laughter.
Poor, transparent old dear! So
pleased aud proud Of her great secret,
which she thinks she's keeping SO
well!" she exclaimed. I'm sure she
doesn't dream that she's as easy to
read as book with big, big print.
She's in 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 tncognito."
'Then-you think that he Is really
herein this out OF the way aer1e?"
half whispered the grand duchess.
II feel sure he u.s." answered Pr1n-
cess Virginia
For 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
Rhaetia for the purpose Of Dear me!
can scarcely bring myself to say II"
"You may say it. since our dear old
lamb OF Letitia knows all about 1t
and is in with u.s." returned Virginia.
"But-but l truly didn't expect to find
him here. One knows he comes some
ttmes-it's been in the papers-but this
time they had it that he'd gone to make
weeks visit to poor old General Won
Borslok at the baths of Melina, and /
thought before we went to Kronburg
with all our pretty letters Of inroduc-
ton, as he was away from the palace
there, it would be idyllic to use up the
time with visit to Alleheiltgen. I
don't want you and Ietitia to think
that l was just making catspaws OF
you both and forcing you without
knowing to help me unearth him In his
lair. Still, as he is here
perhaps he isn't" suggested the
grand duchess. II don't see that you
have much ground for fancying So"
'Oh, generalv' echoed Virginia scorn-
fully. "It's instinct that 60 upon, not
ground--that woman's face when she
saw foreign tourists at her door out of
season when she had right to think
she was safe from invasion; her STAN.
mering about the best rooms being tax.
en-; her wish to get rid Of us; her dis
tress that she couldn't possibly do SO
without making matters worse; the
way she talks Of her -four gentlemen
her horror at my leze majesty; her con.
fusion about the portraits; her wish to
Impress it upon US that Unser Leo is
quite changed. Instinct ought to be
ashamed II it couldn't play detective
as far as that. But-of course we may
not see him. II she can help it, we
won't. He won't like being run to
earth by tourists when he is amusing
himself, and perhaps the rusty land.
lady will send the intelligent young
guide whom refused to warn him, SC
the way"
II almost hope she may send" said
the grand duchess. II don't think
Providence Wills a meeting here. You
have brought no pretty dresses.
should like him to see you first when
you look your best, since to your mind
so much depends upon his feelings IL
this natter
'Our first meeting ls-on the knees
of the gods" murmured Virginia.
And then Frau Yoryan came into the
room with sOuf1e
fro BE coNT1NuEp.l
And the Clock Struck I.
i