University of South Carolina Libraries
= THE = Princess Virginia By C. N. and A. M. WILLIAMSON, Authors of "Bfm Lttfhtnlnf) Conductor," "Rose mary In Search of ? Father," Etc. J? COPYRIGHT. 1B07. BY McCLURE. PHILLIPS Is CO. -m / CtlAPTE? FOU? M h_m Jo sin- had gouo on Uor * Knees to him after all ot* almost. She was glad 3 her mother did not know, ii tut she hoped that he did not feel the pulsing of the Mood In her lingers as lie look her hand and lifted her to her feet. There was shame In this tempest Hint swept through her veins because he did not share It, for to her. though this meeting was an epoch, to htm it was no more than a trivial incident. She Mould have keyed Iii? emotions to hers if she could, but since she had had .vears of preparation, he a single moment, perhaps she might have been consoled for the disparity could she have read his eyes. They said, if she had known, "Is the sky mining god desses today V" Now, what were to be her llr^t words to hhu? Dimly she felt that if she were to profit by this wonderful chaueo to know the man anil not tho emperor ?this chanco which might bo lost in a few moments unless her wit befriend ed her-those words should bo beyond the common. She should be able to marshal her sentences as a general marshals his battalions, with a plan of campaign for each. A spirit monitor ? a matchmaking monitor?whispered these wise advices in her ear, yet she was powerless to profit by them. Like a schbolglrl about to he examined for a scholarship, know ing that all the future might depend upou an hour of the present, tiio dire need to In? resourceful, to be brilliant, left her dumb. How many times had she not thought of her litst conversation with Leopold of Uhaclla, planning the tlrst words, the tlrst looks, which must make him know that she was different from any other girl he had ever met! Yet here she stood, speechless, epigrams turning tail and racing away from her like a troop of playful colts refusing to be caught. And so it was the emperor who spoke before Virginia's savoir faire camo back. "I hope you're not hurt?" asked the I chamois hunter in the patoiB dear to the heart of Ithnetinn mountain folk. She had been glad before, now she was thankful, that sho had spent many weeks and months in lovlug study of the tongue which was Leopold's. It was not the metier of a chamois hunt er to speak English, though the em peror was said to know the language well, and she rejoiced in her ability to answer the chamois hunter as he would be answered, keeping up the ploy. "I am hurt only In the pride that comes before a fall," she replied, forc ing a laugh. "Thank you many times for saving me." "I feared that I frightened you and made you lose your footing." tho cham ois hunter answered. "I think, on the contrary, if It hadn't been for you I should have lost my life." said Virginia. "There should be a sign put up on that tempting pla teau, "All Except Suicides Beware.' " "The necessity never occurred to us, my mates and me," returned the mau In the gray coat passemoiled with green. "Until you came, gun* frauleln, no tourist that I know of has found it tempt big." Virginia's eyes lit with a sudden Bpnrk. Tho spirit mouitor?that match* I making monitor?came back and dared her to a frolic, such a frolic, she j thought, as no girl on earth had ever had or would have after her. And she could show this grave soldier-hero of hers Something new in life?something quite new?which it would not harm him to know. Then, let come what would out of this adventure, at worst she should always havo an Olympian episode to remember. "Until I came?" she caught np his Words, standing carefully on the spot where he had placed hor. "But I am no tourist. I am an explorer." Ho lifted level, dark eyebrows, smil ing faintly, and when he smiled half ills austerity was gone. "*i So beautiful a girl as Ulla need not rise beyond agreeable commonplaces of mind and speech to please a man. In deed, this particular chamois hunter expected uo more than good looks, a good heart and a nlco manner from women. Yet this beauty bade fair, It seemed, to hold surprises in reserve. "I have brought down noble game today," he sold to himself, and aloud: "I know the Schneehorn well and love it wolL Still I can't sco what xswarda it has for tho explorer?unless, gna' frauleln, you oro a climber or a geolo gist." "I'm neither, yet I think I havo seen something, a most rare thing, I've wanted all my lifo to see." Tho young man's face confessed curi osity. "Indeed! A rare thing that lives hero on tho mountain?" "I am not sure if it lives her?. I should like to find out," replied the girl. "Might ouo inquire tho name of this rare thing?" asked tho chamois hunter. "Perhaps if I knew It might turn out that I could help you In the search. But, first, if you'd let mo lead vou to I iiir pimettti, wnere i turuK you WOTS going. Here your head might Bttll grow a little giddy, and It's not well to keep you standing, gna' frauleln, on such a spot. You've pas?ed all tho worst now. The rest Is easy." She gave him her hand, pleasing her self by fancying the act a kind of alle gory, as she let him lead her to safe and pleasant places on a higher, sun nier level. "Perhaps the rare tblng grows here," the chamois hunter went on, looking about tho green plateau with a new In terest. "I think uot," Virginia answered, shaking her head. "It would thrive bettor nearer the mountain top In a more bidden place than this. It does not love tourists." "Nor do I, In truth," smiled the chamois huuter. "You took me for one." "Pardon, gna' franleln?not tho kind of tourist we both mean." "Thank you." "Put you have uot said If I might help you In your seurch. This Is a wild region for a young lady to bo exploring In alone." "I feel sure," responded the princess graciously, "that If you really would you could help mo as well as any one in Rhaetia." "You aro kind indeed to say so, though I don't know how I have de served the compliment," "Did It sound like a compliment? Well, leave It so. I meant because you are at home In these high alti tudes, and the rare thing I speak of is a plant that grows in high places. It is said to be found only in Ilhaetian mountains, though I have never heard of auy one who has been able to track it down." "Is It our pink Rhactlan edelweiss, of which we are so proud? Because if It is and you will trust nie I know ex actly where to take you to find it. With my help you could climb thero from here In a few moments." She shook her htsd again, smiling In scrutably. "Thank you, ifs not the pink edelweiss. The scientific, the eso teric name I've promised that I'll tell to no one, but the common people In my native country who have heard of It would call the plant edclmatm." "You have already seen it on the mountain, but not growing?" "Borne chamois hunter, UL.e yourself, had dropped It perhaps, not knowing what Its value was. It's a great deal to have had one glimpse?worth run ning into danger for." "Perhaps, gna' fraulein, you don't realize to the full the danger you did ruu. No chance was worth It, believe me." "You, a chamois hanter, say that?" "But I'm a man. You are a woman, and women should keep to beaten paths and safety." The princess laughed. "I shouldn't wonder," said she, "if that's a Ilbao tlan theory, a Rhaetlan man's theory. I've heard your emperor holds it." "Who told you that, gna' frauleln?" He gave her a sharp glance, but her gray eyes looked innocent of guile and were therefore at their most danger ous. "Oh, many people have told me. Cats may look at kings, and the most lnslgnltlcant persons may talk of em perors. I've heard many things of yours." "Good things or bad?" "No doubt such things as he truly deserves. Now, can you guess which? But perhaps I would tell you without your guessing if I were not so very, very hungry." She glanced at the pocket of his coat, from which pro truded a generous hunch of black bread and ham, thrust In probably at the instant when she had called for help. "I can't help seeing that you have your luncheon with you. Do you want it all"?sbo carefully ignored the contents of her rucksack, which she could not well have forgotten?"or would you share it?" Tho chamois hunter looked surprised, though not displeased; but, then, this was his first experience of a feminine explorer, and he quickly roso to the oc casion. "There Is more, much more bread and bacon, whero this came from," he replied. "Will you be graciously pleased to accept something of our best?" "If you please, then I, too, shall bo pleased," she said. Guiltily sho re membered Miss Portman, but the dear Letitia could not he considered now. If she were alarmed, she should bo well consoled later. "I and some friends of mine have a ?a sort of hut round the corner from this plateau and a short distance on," announced the chamois hunter, with a gesture that gave the direction. "No ?.vornan has ever been our guest, but I invite you to visit It and lunch there, or, If you prefer, remain here and in a few minutes I will bring such food as we can offer. At best It's not much to boast of. We chamois hunters are poor men, living roughly." The princess smiled, imprisoning each new thought of mischief which flew into her mind like a trapped bird. "I've heard you're rich in hospitality," she said. "I'll go with you to your hut, for it will be a chance to prove the saylnr " MAKE ICE CREAM FROM WATER (and a small quantity of condensed milk, if fresh milk cannot be had. RECIPE. \\ pint comlonncrt milk coats . . . ,00c. A'l'l enough cold wntor to uiako ono iiuart.00 Ono 13c. pnckAKft .JKIX-O ICK CRKAN Vouder.13c. Total., . . .10c. Mix all together thoroughly and freeze. Don't heat or cook it; don't add anything else. This makes two quarts of delicious ice cream in 10 minutes at very small cost. ANO YOU KNOW IT'S PURE. M Fivt kinds i .Chocolate, Vanilla, Straw* m berry, Lemon and Un/lavored. m 2 packages 20c, at all grocers. ? Illuiit rated lt<>clpo Hook Free. ^^^Tht^encscoPur^Fooi^o^tc^oy^l^^ The eyes of the hunter- dark, bril liant and keen as the eagle's to which she compared him?pierced hers. "You havo no fear?" he asked. "You are a youug girl, alone, save for me, In a desolate place. For all you know, my unties and I may bo a band of brig ands." "Baedeker doesn't mention the ex istence of brigands In these days among tho Rhaetlan Alps," replied S'lrglnla, with quaint dryness. "I've always found him trustworthy. Be sides, I've great faith in tho chivalry of Ithactlau men, and if you knew how hungry I am you wouldn't keep me wnltlng for talk of brigands. Broad and butter are far more to the point." "Even search for the raro cdelmann ainy wait?" "Yes; the edelmann may wait?on me." Tho last two words she dared ?ut to whisper. "You must pardon my going first," ^ild the man with the bare brown knees. "The way Is too narrow for politeness." "Yet I wish that the peasants at home hod such courteous manners as yours," Virginia patronized him pret tily. "You Khaetlons need not go to court, I see, for lessons in behavior." "The mountains teach us something, maybe." "Something of their greatness, which we should all do well to learn. But have you never lived in a town?" "A man of my sort exists in a town; be lives in the mountains." With this diplomatic response the tall figure swung round a corner formed by a bowlder of rock, and Virginia gave a little cry of surprise. The hut of which the chamois huntor had Bpoken was revealed by the turn, and It was of an unexpected and striking descrip tion. Instead of tho humble erection of stones and wood which sho had counted on, the rocky side of tho mountain itself had been coaxod to give her sons a shelter. A doorway and largo square ?^nlngs for windows had been cut In the red veined, purplish brown porphyry, while a heavy slab of oak and wooden frames filled full of glittering bottle glass pro tected such rooms as might have been hollowed out within from storm or cold. Even had Virginia been ignorant of her host's identity sho would have beeu wise enough to guess that here was no semmhutte, or ordinary abode of common peasants who hunt tho cham ois for a precarious livelihood. The work of hewing ont In tho solid rock a habitation such as this must have cost more than most Rhaetian chamois hunters would savo in many a year. But her wisdom also counseled her to express no further surpriBo after her first exclamation. "My mates are away for the time, though they may come back by and by," the man explained, holding the heavy oaken door that she might pass Into tho room within, ond, though she was not invited to further exploration, she was able to see by the several doorways cut In the rock walls that this was not the sole accommodation the strange house could boast. On tho rock floor rugs of deer and chamois skin were spread. In a rack of oak ornamented with splendid ant lers and studded with tho sharp point ed horns of the chamois were suspend ed guns of modern make and brightly polished, formidable hunting knives. The table in the center of the room had been carved with admirable skill, and the half dozen chairs were oddly fash ioned of stags' antlers shaped to hold fur cushioned wooden seats. A carved dresser of black ook held a store of tho coarse blue, red and green china made by peasants In tho valley below, through which Virginia bad driven yes terday, and theso bright colored dishes were eked out with platters and great tankards of old pewter, while In the deep fireplace a gypsy kettle swung over a bed of fragrant pine wood em bers. ? "This is a delightful place?fit for a king or even for an emperor," said Virginia when the bare kneed chamois bunter hod offered her a chair near the fire and crossed the room to open the closed cupboard under tho dresser shelves. Ho was stooping as she spoke, but at her last words looked around over his shoulder. "Wo mountain men aren't afraid of a little work?when it's for our own com fort." ho replied, "and most of tho things you see here are homemade dur ing the long winters." "Then you are all very clever Indeed. Hut this place Is interesting. Tell me. has the emperor ever l>een your guest here?' I've read?let mo see, could it have boon in tho guidebook or In some paper? -that ho comes occasionally to this northern range of mountains.n "Oh, yes; the emperor has been at our hut several times. He's good enough to approve it," the host answered calm ly, laying a loaf of black bread, a fine seeded cheeso and a knuckle of bam on the table. lie 'then glanced at Ids guest, expecting her to come forward, but she sat still on her throne of ant lers, her small feet In their sensible mountain boots daintily crossed under the short tweed skirt. "I hear he also Is a good chamois hunter," she carelessly went on. "But that perhaps is only tho flattery which makes the atmosphere of royalty. No doubt you, for Instance, could really glvo him many points In chamois bunt ing" Tho young man smiled. "The em peror's not a bad shot." "For an amateur. But you're a pro fessional. I wager now that you would not for the world change places with the emperor." How the chamois hunter laughed at this and showed his white teeth! There were those in tho towns he scorned who would have been astonished ot his light hearted mirth. "Change places with the emperor! Not unless I were obliged, gna' frau leln?not now, at all events," with a complimentary bow and glance. "Thank you. You're quite a courtier. And that reminds me of another thing they say of him in my country. The stofy Is that he dislikes tho society of women. But perhaps it is that ho doesn't understand them." "It Is possible, lady. But I never heard that they wero so difficult of comprehension." "Ah, that shows how little you chamois hunters havo had time to learn. Why, wo can't even understand ourselves or know what we're most likely to do next, and yet?a very odd thing? we have no difficulty in reading one another and knowing all each nth- ' cr's weaknesses." "That would seem to say that a man I should get a womau to choose his wife \ for him." "I'm not so sure it would be wife, yet your emperor, we hear, will let the chancellor choose bis." "Ah, were you told this also In your country?" "Yes, for the gossip is that she's an English princess. Now, what's the good of being a powerful emperor if he can't even pick out a wife to please his own taste?" "I know nothing about such high matters, gna' fraulein, but I fancied that royal folk took wives to please their people rather than themselves. It's their duty to marry, you know. And if the lady be of royal blood, vir tuous, of the right religion, not too sharp tempered and pleasant to look at, why, those are the principal things to consider, I should suppose." "So should I not suppose if I were a man and emperor. I should want the pleasure of falling in love." "Safer not, gna' fraulein. Ho might fall in love with the wrong woman." And tho chamois hunter looked with half shamed intontness Into ills guest's sweet eyes. She blushed under his gaze and was so conscious of tho hot color that she rotOXtfti ai. random. "I doubt if be could fall in love. A man who would let his chancellor chooso for him?he can have no warm blood in ids veins." "There I think you wrong him, lady," the answer came quickly. "The em peror is?a man. But It may be be has found other Interests in bis life more important than woman." "Bringing down chamois, for in stance. You would sympathize there." "Chamois give good sport. They're hard to And?harder still to hit when you have found them." "So are tho best types of women? those who, like the chamois and the plant I spoke of, live only in high places. Oh, for the sake of my sex I do hope that some day your emperor will change his mind?that a woman will make him change itf "Perhaps a woman has already." Virginia grew pale. Was she- too late, or was this a concealed compli ment which the chamois hunter did not guess she had tho clew to And? She could not answer. The silence be tween tho two became electrical, and the yoting man broke it at last with some slight signs of coiuusion. "It's a pity," said he, "that our em peror can't bear you. lie might bo converted to your views." "Or he might clap mo into prison for leze majesty." "He wouldn't do that, gna' frauloln, If he's anything like; mo." "Anything you like! Why. now you put me in mind of it, he's not unlike you?in appearance, I mean, judging by bis portrait."." "You have seen his portraits'." "Yes, I've seen some. I really think you must be a little like him, only browner and tailor perhaps. Vet I'm glad tk-at you're a chamois hunter and not an emperor?almost as glad as yon can be." (Continued on page seven) Heart Strength neart Strength, or Tleart Weakness, mentis Nervo Strength, or Nerve Woakness? nothing more. Tos Hlvoly. not one weak heart in a hundred Is, in it, self actually diseased. It tit nlniost always a hidden tiny little nerve that really In all at fault. This obscure nerve?the Cardiac, or II. art .NYrvo ?simply needs, and muH have, mor<- power, inoro Stability, tnoro controlling, more governing strength. Without that tho Heart must coutimio to fall, and tho ttomaeh and kidneys also havo these same controlling nerves. This clearly explain* why as a Medicine. Dr. Hhoop s Restorative has in tho past don<- so much for woak and ailing Heart*. Dr. Shoop llrst sought the fauna of all this painful, palpitating, suffocat ing heart distress. Dr. Shoop's Restorativo?this popular prescription?Is alone directed to these weak and wasting nerve centers. It builds; lutrengthrns; It offers real, genuin.- heart help. If you would have strong Hearts, strong dl gestlon, strengthen these [nerves ? re-establish them as needed, with Dr. SHoop's Restorative PALMETTO DRUG CO. Pfilbum Wagon Quality Everybody , knows what that means?the staunchest, best built, lightest running, best material wagon on the market. Not all dealers like to handle it because it costs them a little more and they have to sell it for a little more than other wagons. We Choose To Sell The Wagon of Qualify., Wo believe we know what the people of this community v/ant. While it costs a little more than others it is worth a great deal moru. Every Milburn Is Worth More Tlfcan It Costs. It's worth while to buy right while you arc at it. Got tho wagon that is not going to bother you with tiro setting, breakdowns, etc. We have that wagon. COME IN AND LET US TALK MILBURN TO YOU H. Douglas Gray & Co. m TT. rnmmu Do you get mad when you Are forced to pay a The second time? Isn't it exasperating when you think the bill had been paid? Had you paid the bill with a bank check you could know the bill had been paid and prove it. Every cancelled check is eventu ally returned to the maker and may be retained for future reference. Bills paid by check remain paid. 7m 7*Ti ..?Jit t AU R ENS ? S . C, The Bank for Your Savings. Ily ncfil "Nutnro'a Remedy" (Ma TefcMe)it>oedlttoti\kfl thoRhcn. . innt! ia ortt of their Jolnt?i need It to keep their Stomach, I.Ivor, Kiduoyo , . \ i ?.-. ! Sowola in cood order; need it for tiio strength ami vlcor it clvo3. ., Let " NATURE'S REM EH V" Be Your Pnsior. ' ipnl >r tablet now And them it will kcop your nyr.tom In ?rieh '?.- ? ) ?? Htton that dltoaaea oannot tnko hold. Every box is guaranteed to j,. Btvo i Ml ifaoilon, ot' "?? purohMO r.rico rofundod. I Bette^hahPills For O ver Hl s lim ; '" ? : ?i inn For Sale by Palmetto Drug Co. Suffering Ladies are urged to follow the example of thousands of their sisters and take Cardui. Cardui is a non mineral, non-intoxicating medicine for women. It is for sick, weak ladies, with sick female organs. It Will Help You J27 It is a genuine, curative medicine, that builds up the female system and relieves female pain. Mrs. M. A. St. Clair, of Eskdale, W. Va., writes: "Before taking Cardui, I had given up all hope of getting well. I had suffered for 3 years with my lieft side and was confined to my bed, so I took Cardui, and now Cardui has about cured my female trouble." AT ALL DRUG STORES Hottentot Women. Among tin* Hottentots women hold n bettor position thnn thoy do anywhere else In Africa. "Tho married woman," says one traveler, "reigns supremo mls Irofl I, llor husband cannot without her permission toko n bit of meat or a drop of milk." Generally "they rank much above tho average of the negro races." ?London Spectator. DU. CLIFTON JON KS Dentist OFFICE IN SIMMONS BUILDING Phone:Omco N<>. sc,: Roeidonco210. Tedci', Sali kheom und Eczema Amcitrc?! I?y Clinmli rlnliiV R;i1 ?? Onenpnllon iton rcll res iii ? ItcWnn nntl burning Mncniioiu,