The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-08-28
CHARLES THE TWELFTH IN LoyE.
By xARcELisE pEsBoRpEs vAIxoHE:4

CHARLES THE TWELFTH IN LoyH'
nY xARcx,ssr prsponpEs vAIxoIf.
sWould you like to be queen, Chnstine1'
This was the question addressed by IN old
man, whose snuken eyes were liked upon .
chess board, of which the chessmen were
scattered here and there-and testified to
long lesson at chess playing-which had
wearied out the patience Of his pretty daugh-
ter.
Queen of Hearts?' asked the graceful
child, without lifting up her head. which
was supported bya rich cushion Of black
velvet, on which sat also frightful little
bull dog, which she loved to distrac-
ton.
'Queen Of Hearts," my child? th,t en-
pire is yours already replied the minister,
who always laid aside his gravity in the
presence Of the giddy Christine. lis tone
was careless. He played meanwhile with
magnificent snuff box, garnished viii large
diam onds, the present and the portrsit Of
very homely king. 'But,' CONTINUED he,
and still in tone of affected indifference,
SIS that your only ambition?'
'Why should extend my sovereignty any
further? have more subjects now than !
know how to govern .',
'Oh, oh! should not have thought, my
dear, that you had subjects. You a'e pru-
dent enoug h not to encourage their hmage,
eh?' -. ~
'Really, replied Christine, trifling nth the
little bulldog, which had begun to nap his
teeth. Il am under no obligationsp . them
for the homage which is my due. there is
only one in the world whose loveereates
my tenderest gratitude
The brow Of the Prime Minister 0. Swed-
en- became clouded.
'Who is that person, Christinc?'
Christine blushed, looked at e,father
with charming embarrassment, and rdoub-
led her caresses of her snappish little bull
dog. The Count, in q sterner tone, epeat-
cd his question.
'What is the name of this person, Chris
tine?'
'Whom should it be, dear fathr, but
Adolph de Hesse, your handsome nqhew?'
you have not been so bold rs to csntract
an engagement with that boy?'
| 'Boy!-he is eighteen years old-father!
He is my oldest friend; lstudy withhim; |
cannot remember when began to lore him;
it was so long ago.
This is all folly-you were educated to-
gether at you aunt's-it is simply q sort of
fraternal losc.' -.
'Not at all! | should be very sorry If
Adolphe were nv brother'
Il have done all can to serve him. lie
i. without fortune; he has nothing to depend
upon but his commission and my bounty
'Your bounty is very great-most noble
lord! and he is brave and magnanimous, as
for me, when found how much handsomer
his eyes had grown since he was child, and
how much better he talked than many who
was much richer, did not trouble myself
about his lack of wealth.
my daughter-you must forget him, said
the count, passing his arm affectionately
round Christmas waist as she sat at his
feet.
my dear father-I cannot even try to
forget, for do not know how to begin-be.
sides, you love him, too
Not enough to make him my heir
'He would be your heir, in spite of every.
thing-were to die father
The minister looked fxedly at the fresh
and youthful face Of his daughter, rs if to
read her very soul; and the wrinkle which
his paternal terror had made upon his brow
disappeared like Lightning.
81 see nothing here but life,' said he tap.
ping Christmas forehead. That being the
case, shall busy myself in marrying you
off-you naughty girl.'
"And you will make US the most miserable
creatures in the world" answered Christine
whose black eyes sparkled through her
tears.
MY poor child-you have been thorough.
" spoiled! have given you too much Ii.
ccnse and liberality. You are asking what
is impossible. Be reasonable; and to amuse
you little longer-your aunt shall present
you at Court. You will see many fine sights.
You will become acquainted with our brave
young king y if you will be but
reasonable!'
The king is rude monster!' cried Chris
tine, rising with impatience. lido not wish
to see him-every ono says that he hates
women
rhs isi ' hse1Inmoy esomny' he is in love with one
'As handsome and wicked as yourselfr
'As myself?' The count
began to laugh; Christmas penetration
awoke-for she answered after moments
thought have not even seen him.
'But he has seen you, and he says "
'What does he say, dear father?'
'What does it matter, what . monster, 4
woman hater says?'
'Ah! ah!-but he is king. What does
he say? tell me; what can he say2 wan,
to know, dear father-do tell me, that is q
good father?'
But the minister had made up his mind Ia
DO silent-and neither the entreaties nor the
caresses lavished upon him by Christine,
could extract one word more.
'Apropos' Interrupted he suddenly, ~ il
remembering something which he had nearly
forgotten to mention; Il shall bring an off,
Ger home to take supper with us. Receive
him politely, and with Difference. intend
that he shall be your husband
Iwon't have him!' cried Christine, run.
ming after her father as he left the room
1T cannot have my soldier, l will die an
old maid!'
'Love grant thy prayer-fair cousin!' said
Adolphe de Hesse, coming from behind the
long curtains of gold fringed damask, where
he had been concealed for the last quarter
of an hour. 'lt is sweet to play the spy to
hear ones cause pleaded BY such an advo-
cate as thou art-though in SO desperate
| . cause.'
'Despsrate!-how mean you?-the battle
.ss half gained. My fathers anger 10 like
the summer shower upon the grass, ssingle
ray OF the sun causes it all to svaporste; do
you not know that, Adolrhe? beg you do
not sigh 50, do not cross your arms and
look up to the ceiling with that solemn air;
! do not feel like signing myself. want to
be aroused. wish there was . ball to.
night! Well! we'll! love will lead the orches-
ira and We will dance gayly on our Wedding
night!' ....- -~ .~s
you hope too much, Christine, know
your father better than you do. Oh! nv
beloved continued Adolphe, looking At her
beauty with sort Of terror, you Will mot
have the courage to refuse the magnificent
plaything which he wishes to give in ez-
change for your cousins ardent and devos.
ed love- 80 - "a.
Christine, in her turn, looked at her lover
earnestly and her eyes filed with tears; but
as shs could not endure serious thought