The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-08-28
you,' cried Ericsson, imprinting kiss on
Inns which were purple with anger.

you,' cried Ericsson, imprinting kiss on
lips which were purple with anger.
This freedom which Christine could moi
endure, was repaid by box on the ear, 90
prompt and 50 fierce, that the offender, rub.
bing his scarlet cheek, was astonished that
such blow could have been given by fin.
gers ~ Ueak as an infants. A bomb would
have surprised him less.
your father has deceived me- said he,
after long silence, and in stern voice,
'he led me to believe that you did not re-
ceive my visits with indifference
My father does not know much about
such matters,' answered Christine with
courageous indignation, or he would never
have introduced his daughter to SO rude a
young man: As for the rest, he told you
the truth-for you are not an object of
Indifference to me; Count Ericsson do You
hear; you cannot be that
Here, Adolphe, who was again playing
the spy, drew back at these word, and then
burst hurriedly in upon m interview which
was maddening him with jealousy.
tWho are you?' demanded Ericsson saw
sgely, and with such on air of authority,
that Christine would have liked to have seen
him well beaten for it.
"A SOLDIER answered Adolphe, between
his shut teeth, drawing his sword and throw
ing it on the table; "a soldier wounded in
the honor of his country, and who is willing
to die to defend it,
'We are friends, then,' answered Ericsson,
extending his hand.
'We are rivals answered Adolphe, draw
ing back.
'Christine loves you then2'
tShe has said so. Such is the result Of
faith placed in a young girl. You are not
the object of her Indifference, and yield
you my place with her.
'To whom?' cried Christine, in horror, with
tears in her eyes.
'To the king?' answered Adolphe, going
toward the door in despair.
Christine fell into chair and hid her
face in her hands.
sRenain here,' cried Charles the Twelfth,
in laundering voice.
Theyoung man obeyed, biting his lips so
that the blood came to them.
shave seen you,' continued the king; 'but
never in this house,
sit has been forbidden me since you have
come INTO it,
lh@e seen you somewhere. Your name?'
'Addphe do lIcssc, son of brave officer,
who ded fighting for you. He left me
misery md his widows tears
- 'Who told you that was not Ericson?'
my e,es-for l recognized you also.'
Charls the twelfth approaching the young
soldier, whose eyes glittered like a panther's
was struk by a sudden recollection.
tWhert did you get that scar on your left
temple:' . >. - st'-
tAt N.rva, sir, where with handful of
men, your majesty defied the Russian army.'
'You sly truly said Charles, wild with
Joy, as if he smelt the smoke of battle. Then
linging lis arms around Adolphe's neck,
and pointing to the scar, 'You need no other
passport t'an this-even to fight against me
as dar say you would like to do-for,
on the day you speak of, learned, as you
did, the soldiers part and mans true digni-
ty. BY tn. thousand bombs which fell about
us-give lie your hand my brother-for we
have been baptized in blood togethcr!'
Charles the Twelfth appeared at this time
as grand as war fortress. Then suddenly
turning to the young girl, whose curiosity
had suppressed her tears, he said to her with
graceful gayety:
BY my sword, Christine, am tickle
suitor, one blow from your hand has set to
| fight all the loves who had betrayed me-
Speak as frankly as you act. Do you
love this hrave y"nne man''
''rrecoverably, sir.'
'Ehat prevents your marriage?'
.ount Ericson's proposal, which father
ha. been threatening me WITH
Oh, oh see into things now,' said
Chres, smiling. 'The king will forgive
tn, blow which was meSn mt for the courtier.
'Cristine,' added he, resuming his tone of
command, 'your father refuses to give you
tothe object of your preference; you shall
mary him nevertheless, since UiH it,
ADMIT that if was your nightmare as a
loer, am your friend as king
| confess it, on my knees!' answered the
ppud girl, kneeling with her happy cousin.
Charles, bending over the blushing Christine,
urited their hands with rough kindness, and
imprinted upon the brow Of Christine, the
last homage which his lips ever offered to
w,man.
Does your majesty forgive me?' asked
th trembling culprit, 'if had known that
it was the king, should not have boxed
yosr ears so hard.'
lrevenge myself thus, Christine,' added
hewith feeling of inde6nable sadness, 'my
ony mistress shall be the goddess of battle,
and she shall crown me amid shouts of VIC
toT.'
Ne caused his minister to sign, that even.
ing contract of marriage, not that of
Cont Ericson-though signed by Charles
the Twelfth. Two days after he was pres
enat the sumptuous wedding of Christine
AMI Adolphe de Hesse, who wore noble
orders, md the minister alone, who smiled,
Notwithstanding, found the reality less royal
than his dreams.