Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1858-07-03
CHARLES THE TWELFTH IN LOVE
BY MARcELINEs DEsBORDEs vALMoRE.

| upon cneSS-O06ru. OI WHICH 'no g
were scattered here and there-and tesnneG
to long lesson at chess playing-wh'cn mao
wearied out the patience OF bis pretty oa"gh-
ter.
"Queen of Hearts % asked the gtacefui
child, without lifting up her head, which was
supported by rich cushion OF Diack velvet,
on which sat also friShtiul little pull-dog'
which she loved to distraction.
"Queen of Hearts, my enid tnat empire
is yours already" replied the minister, who
always laid aside bis gravity in the presence
of the ciddy Christine. His tone was care
less. lie played meanwhile with magnifi-
cent snuff. box, garnished with large diamonds,
the present and the portrait OF very homely
king. But" continued he, and still in a
tone of affected indifference, is that your
only ambition 2
why should extend my sovereignty any
further? have more subjects than know
how to govern"
''Oh, oh should not have thought, my
dear, that you had subjects. You are prudent
enough not to encourage their homage, eh p
Really" replied Christine, trifing with
the little bulldog, which had began to snap
his teeth, 81 am under no obligations to
them for the homage which is my due. There
is only one in the world whose love creates
my tenderest gratitude"
The brow of the Prime Minister of Sweden
became clouded.
"Who is that person, Christine ?"
Christine blushed, looked at her father
with charming embarrassment, and redoubled
her caresses of her snappish little bulldog.
The count, in a sterner tone, repeated his
question.
"What is the name of this person, Chris
tine ?"
"Whom should it be, dear father but
Adolphe de Hesse your handsome nephew
"You have not been so bold as to contract
an engagement with that boy?"
d" Boy he is eighteen years old-father
He is my oldest friend: study with him /:
l cannot remember when l began to love
him, it was so long ago."
This is all folly-you were educated to-
gether at your aunt's-it is simply sort OF
fraternal love-"
"Not at all 1 should be very sorry if
Adolphe were my brother ~
| 81 have done all can to serve him. He
is 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 magnanmous, as
for me, when found out how much hand
somer his eyes had grown since he was a
child, and how much better he talked than
many who are mucL richer, 1 did not trouble
myself about his lack of wealth"
"My daughter-you must forget him,
said the count, passing his arm atfectionately
round Christne's waist, as she sat at his feet.
"My dear father-I cannot even try to for
get, for do not know how to begin-besdes
you love him too"
"Not enough to make him my heir"
He would be your heir, in spite Of every
thirg-were | to die, father"
The minister looked ixedly at the fresh
and youthful face of his daughter, as if to
read her very soul /; and the wrinkle which
his pate;nal terror had made upon his brow
disappeared like lightning.
81 see nothing here but life," said he, tap
ping Christine's 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 thoroughly
spoiled ! have given you too much license
and liberty. You are asking what is impos-
sble. Be reasonable and to anuse you a
little longer-yOur aunt shall present you at
court. You will s.e many fine sights. You
will become acquainted with our brave young
king if you will but be reasona-
ble !"
I" The king is rude monster = cried Chris
tine, rising with impaticrce. Il do not wish
to see him-every one says that he hates
women ~
"That is calumny-he is in love with
one."
is she handsome ?"
AS handsome and wicked as yourse!f"
:" AS myself ?" The
count began to laugh, Christine's penetration
awoke-ior she answered after moments 5
thOught-"I have not even seen him."
But he has seen you and he says *"
What does he say-dear father 2"
"What does it matter what monster,
woman-hater says ?"
Ah ah but he is a king. What does
he say-tell me what can he say Iwant
to know, dear father-do tell me- that is a
good father ?"
But the minister had made up his mind to
Re silent and neither the entreaties or the
careases lavished upon him by Christine,
could extract one word more
Apropos !" interrupted he suddenly as if
remembering something which he had nearly
forgotten to mention 81 shall bring an Off
Ger home to take supper with us. Receive
him politely-and with Difference. intend
that he shall be your husband"
81 won't have him p cried Christine, run
ming after her father as he lett the room-"if
| cannot have my soldier, will die an old
maid y
Love grant thy prayer-fair consin !"-
said Adolphe de Hesse, coming from behind
the loEg curtains of gold fringed damask,
where he had been concealed for the last
quarter of an hour.
1t is sweet to play the spy to hear one S
cause pleaded by such an advocate thou art
though in so desperate cause"
Desperate how mean you ?-the bat
tie is half gained. My fathers anger is like
the summer shower upon the grass, single
ray of the sun causes it all evaporate do
you not know that, Adolphe ? | beg you do
not sigh so, do not cross your arms and look
up to the ceiling with that solemn air ; do
not feel like signing myself L want to be am
used. | wish there was ball tonight
Well well ! love will lead the orchestra
and We will dance gayly on our wedding
night
You hope too much, Christine l know
your father better than you do. Oh my
beloved" continued Adolphe. looking at her
beauty with sort of terror, 'you will not
have the courage to refuse the magnificent
playing which be wishes to give you in ex-
change for your cousin ardent and devoted
love-"
Christine, in her turn, looked at her lover
earnestly and her eyes filled with tears but
as she could not endure serious thought for
more than an instant, she pretended to be an
CRY.
You do not think me destined to swell
the list Of faithful lovers, it seems, in spite
of the last proof which you have managed
to procure of my good faith, by spying."
"Dry your tears, Christina, l am not stole
enough to need such eloquence as theirs"