The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-04-03


passing window of the private dining
room. Evidently some scene of horror
was being enacted outside, and Vir-
ginia and Miss Portman had been
away for many hours.
1t was the time for tea in England,
for coffee in Rhaetia. Frau Yorvan
had just brought in coffee for one,
with heart shaped sugared cakes
which would have appealed more
poignantly to the grand duchess appe-
tite if the absent ones had been with
her to share them. Naturally at the
good woman's outburst her. imagina-
tion instantly pictured disaster to the
one she loved.
what, oh, what is it you see" she
implored, her heart leaping, then fall
ing. But for once the courtesy due
to an honored guest was forgotten. and
the distracted Frau Yorvan fed from
the room without giving an answer.
Half paralyzed with dread of what
she might have to see; the grand ducb-
ess tottered 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 recognf-
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 a very tall.
bronzed peasant man. loaded with
cIoaks and rucksachs, headed the band.
while the girl and her ex-governess
followed after.
Unspeakably relieved, yet still puz-
zled and 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 a welcome or a 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 Jack out of his
box on very stH spring. few to the
overloaded peasant and, almost rudely
elbowing Miss Portman aside, began
distractedly bobbing up and down.
tearing at the bundle of rucksacks and
cloaks. Her inarticulate cries ascend
ed like incense to the grand duchess at
the open window, adding much to the
lady's intense bewilderment
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. mein frau, let him carry our
things indoors" Virginia was insist
ing, while the tall man stood among
the three women, mOtionless, but ap-
parently a prey to conflicting emo
tions. If the grand duchess had not
been obseSSed with certain idea
which was growing in her mind she
must have seen that his dark face be-
trayed mingling of amusement, i'm
patience. annoyance and boyish mis-
chief. He looked like 4 man who had
somehow stumbled into false posi-
ton from which it would be difficult to
escape with dignity. yet which he half
enjoyed. Torn between a desire TO
laugh and fly into rage with the
oficious landlady. he frowned warn
ingly at Frau Yorvan, smiled at the
princess and divided his energies be-.
tween quick, secret gestures intended
for the eyes of the Rhaetian woman
and endeavors to unburden 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 if in fear, leaving
the tall fellow to his own devices? An,
but that was terrible look he gave
her at last-the poor, good woman.
Perhaps he was a brigand! And the
grand duchess remembered tales she
had read-tales of fearful deeds, even
in these modern days, done in wlld
mountain Businesses and remote VII
laces such as Alleheiligen-not in
Rhaetia perhaps. but then there was
no reason why they should not nap
pen in Rhaetia at place like this
And If there were not something evil,
something to be dreaded, about this
big. dark browed fellow. why had Frau
Yoryan uttered that exclamation or
frantic dismay at sight Of him ana
rushed like mad woman out cf the
house?
1t occurred to the grand duchess that
the man must be some notorious ues-
perado of the mountains who had oo-
tanned her daughters confidence or got
her and Miss Portman into his pow
er. But, she remembered. fortunately
some or all of the mysterious gentle
men stopping at the inn had returned
and were at this moment assembled IN
the room adjoining hers. The grand
duchess resolved that OF the first sign
Of insolent behavior or threatening on
the part Of the luggage carrier these
noblemen should be promptly sum-
moned by her to the rescue OF heF
daughter.
Her anxiety was even slightly allay-
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