The Marshall republican., 1908-06-05

had done his very best for Lady Now
brny's party when he received their
letter a fortnight before and that he
had allotted them a good suit. with
balconies overlooking the river nt the
back Of the bouse-quite q Venetian Ct.
feet. as her ladyship would ind. But
as to rooms Mt the front-impossiblel
All had been engaged fully SIX weeks
In advance. One American millionaire
was paying a thousand gulden solely
for an hours use OF a small balcony.
today for the unwilling and again to-
morrow for the street procession. vir.
ginia was pale with disappointment.
Then III go down Into the crowd and
take my chance Of seeing something
she said TO her mother when they had
been shown Into handsome rooms sat.
isfactory IN everything hut situation.
II must hurry OF there'll be no hope"
my dear child. impossible for you
to do such a thing!" exclaimed the
grand duchess. II can't think Of allow.
Ing II. Fancy what a crush there will
be-all sorts Of creatures trampling
on each other for places. Besides. you
could see nothing"
"Ob. mother" blended the princess
IN her softest. sweetest voice. the voice
she kept for extreme emergencies Of
~cajoling. II couldn't bear to stny shut
M here while that music plays and the
crowds shout themselves honrse for
my emperor. Besides. It's the most
curious thlns-I feel as 10 a voice kept
calling TO me that I must be there.
Miss Portman and I'll take care Of
each other. You will lot me 20. won't
your
or course the grand duchess yielded.
her q stipulation being that the two
should keep close to the hotel. aud the
princess urged her reluctant companion
away without waiting to hear her
mothers last counsels.
Their rooms were on the FIRST floor,
and the girl turned eagerly down the
broad nlght OF marble stairs. Miss
Portman following dutifully upon her
heels.
They could not get out by way Of the
front door. for people had paid for
standing oom there and would not
yield an Inch. even for an Instant.
while the two or three steps below
and the broad pavement In front were
as closely blocked.
Matters began to look hopeless. but
Virginia would not be daunted. They
.rled the side entrance and found II
free. the street into which II led being
comparatively empty: but Just beyond.
where II ran into the great open
square OF the T.eopoldplatx. there was
a solid wall Of s~lghtsecrs.
I'VE might rs well 20 back" said
Miss Portmnn. who had none OF the
princess keenness for the undertake
Ing. She was tired inter the journey
and for herself would rather have had
q cup Of tea than see Hfty emperors
unveil as many statues by celebrated
sculptors.
"Oh. MOI" cried Virginia. "wsTl 81
to the front somehow sooner or later,
even II we're taken OF our feet. Loot
at that man just ahead Of M. Hs
doesn't menn to turn back. He's NOT
a nice man. but he's terribly deter.
mlneds~ Let's keep close TO him and
see what he mean to do: then maybe
we shall he able to do II as we'll"
Miss Portman glanced ut the person
indicated by a nod Of the princess
head. Cndlsmayed by the mass Of hu.
mnn beings that blocked the Leopold.
platz a few yards ahead. he walked
rapidly along without the least hesita-
tion. He had the air Of knowing ex.
actly what he wanted to do aud how
10 do II. Even Miss Portmah, who
hnd no imagination. saw this by his
back. The set Of the head on the
shoulders was singularly determined,
nj the walk revealed a consciousness
OF importance accounted for perhaps
nv the gray and crimson uniform which
might be that Of some oficial order.
o. the sleek black head was a large
cooked hat. adorned with an eagles
feather. fastened In place by a gaudy
Jewel. and this hat was pulled down
very far over the face.
Perhaps he knows that they'll LET
him through" said Miss Portman. HE
seems to lie a dignitary Of some sort
We can't do, better. II you're deter.
mined 10 go ON. than keep near him."
He has the air Of being ready to
die" whispered Virginia. for thsy weO
close to the man now.
"How can you tellf We haven't seen
HIS face" replied the other In the same
cautious tone.
NO. But look at the back OF bis
neck and his ears"
Miss portnan looked and gave . IN.
tie SILVER. She would never have
thought OF observing It II her atten.
tion had not been called BY the prin.
cess. But 1t wal true. The back Of
the mans neck and his ears were Of q
Rhastls yellow white.
"Horridw she calculated. Hes
probably dying Of some contagious dis
ease. DO let's get away from him."
mo. no." said Virginia. Hes our
only hope. They're going to let him
pass through. Listen"
Miss Portman listened. but ~ che
~l~ -. --.R - nA--