The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1908-06-10

nc Srlhu duchess grew pale, Tor the
apple checked lady suddenly exhibited
these alarming signs OF emotion while
passing window of the private dining
room. Evidently some scene Of horror
was being enacted outside, and Vir-
glnla and Miss portman had been
away for many hours.
1t was the time for tea in England,
for coffee in Rhaetia. Frau Yoryan
had just brought in coffee for one,
with heart shaped sugared cakes
which would have appealed moro
poignantly to the grand duchess appe-
titc If The absent ones had been with
her to share them. Naturally at the
good woman's outburst her imagna-
tion instantly pictured disaster TO the
one she loved.
What, oh, what Is 1t you seer she
implorcd, her heart leaping, then fall
Ing. But for once the courtesy due
to an honored guest was forgotten, and
the distracted Frau Yorvan fled from
the room without giving an answer.
Half paralyzed with dread Of what
she might have to see, the grand duch-
ess tottcred to the window. Was there,
yes, there was procession coming
down the hllly street that led to town
from the mountain. Oh, horror upon
horror! They were perhaps bringing
Virginia down, injured or dead her
beautiful face crushed out Of recogni-
ton! Yet, no; there was Virginia her
self, the central figure in the process
sion. Thank heaven! 1t could be moth
ing worse than an accident to poor.
dear Miss Portman. But there was
Miss Portman, too, and n very tall.
bronZcd peasant man, loaded with
cloaks and rucksacks, headed the band.
while the girl and her ex-governess
followed after.
unSpeakably relieved, yet still puz-
zlcd ana vaguely alarmed, the grand
duchess threw up the window over
looking the little village square. But
as she strOve to attract the truants'
attention by waving her hand and
crying out welcome or n question,
whichever should come first the words
were arrested on her lips. What could
be the matter with Frau Yorvan?
The stout old landlady popped out
through the door like n Jack out OF his
box on very stIff spring flew to the
overloaded peasant and, almost rudely
clbowing Miss Portman aside, began
distractcdly bobblng up and down,
tearing at the bundle Of rucksacks and
cloaks. Her inarticulate cries ascend
cd like incense to the grand duchess Mt
the open window, adding much to the
lauy's intense bcwilderment
What has that man been doing?"
demanded the grand duchess In
loud, firm voice. but nobody answered,
for the very good reason that nobody
heard. The attention of all those be-
low was entirely taken up with their
own concerns.
Pray. mcin frau, let him carry our
things indoors" Virginia was insist.
ing, while the tall man stood among
The three women, motionleSs, but ap.
parcntly prey to conflicting emo.
tions. If the grand duchess had not
been obsCsscd Rfth certain idea
which was growing in her mind she
must have seen that his dark face be.
trayCd n minging of amusement, i'm
patience, annoyance and boyish mis-.
chief. lie looked like man who had
somehow stumbled into false posi-.
tion from which 1t would be difficult to
escape with dignity, yet which he half
enjoyed. Torn between desire to
laugh and fly into n rage with the
oilcious landlady, he frowncd warn.
ingly nt Frau Yorvan, smiled Mt the
princess and divided his energies he
tween quick, secret gestures intended
for the eyes OF the Rhaetian woman
and cndeavOrs to unbuTden himself IN
his own time and way OF the load he
carried
With each instant the perturbation
of the grand duchess grew. Why did
the man not speak out what he had to
say? Why did the landlady first strive
to seize the things from his back, then
suddenly shrink as IL in fear, leaving
the tall fellow to his own devices7 All.
but that was n terrible look he gave
her at last-the poor, good woman!
Perhaps he was brigand! And the
grand duchess remembered tales she
had read-talcs OF fearful deeds, even
in these modern days, done In wild
mountain Businesses and remote vii.
lagos such rs Alleheiligen-not In
Rhaetia perhaps, but then there was
no reason why they should not hap
pen In Rhaetia Mt place like this.
And if there were not something evil.
something to be dreaded, about this
big, dark browed fellow, why had Frau
Yorvan uttered that exclamation OF
frantic dismay at sight of him and
rushed like mad woman out OF the
house?
1t occurred to the grand duchess that
the man must be some notorious des-
perado Of the mountains who had OBJ
tnlnnd hnr lnnnhfnr,a confidence or got