, 1862-10-02

to the Grenadiers"
"To the Grenadiersl All, weTll What does
II matter2 You are joking, commanderi"
jOking-with this letterl Stay, there Is nc
longer any mystery you may read i yourself
Catherine took the letter from Major Keller's
hand, and read as follows:
"Urder to Major Keller to choose one Of the
handsomest men in the regiment, and to marry
him to the young gIrl-the bearer Of this dis
patch. (Signed) "KMG FREDERIcK II"
"The kingl It was the kingl Good heav-
ens!"
1.-THE king, himself Are you not delighted to
have made his acquaintanceH
Catherine was stupefied, and exclaimed-"T To
marry mel will never give my CONSENT"
"Your consent" replied Keller, showing her
the letter; "Of that there is no mention in this
order"
Saying these words, he rang the BELL and said
so the soldier who answered bis summons:
An order from the king for the chaplain. A
marriage to be sOlemnised IN half an hour"
"In half an hOurl" cried Catherine. II Is
impossible! 1t is q wilful injury"
"Nhen say half an hour, perhaps quarter
will suffice. The time to measure eight or ten
grenadiers, and to choose one among them Of
the right proportions" said he, measuring Cath
crime again with his eye. "AbOut Eve feet four
or six inches A fair complexion to form q con-
trast Mademoiselle," continued he, with mil
itary salute, 81 shall be at your service in few
minutes"
Presently Keller returned, holding paper in
his hand. .....
Ihave found yonr man" said be; yand you
are to sign this promise Of marriage with him
for the chaplain, as the law requires the consent
Of the parties"
Catherine, recovering from her detection, ex-
ola 1kN nd 40,
then, at last All! this paper has to be signed
You must have my nameP Well, major, ! will
allow myself to be cut into pieces rather than
sign that paper" added she, standing in on at
ttude Of determination before Major Keller.
Really, you would make an admirable gren-
adier," said be- He then read aloud the promise
Of marriage, as follows: 1--WE, the undersigned,
(you will add your name) and Sergeant Hosten,
Of the third regiment Of the Grenadiers--"
Hearing the name HOsten, Catherine changed
countenance.
"Can it be LudwigH" thought she; "then,
indeed, fortune has favored me-" The major
went on reading-.Pro Promise to take each other
as man and wife. MarienbuFg 18th March, 1850.
There, mademoiselio, you see Il Is not long
viii you sign this paperP Yes or nor No,
did you sayG Then we must take strong mea-
sures," said be, as he was about to pull the bel.
Catherine stopped him, saying, " beg your
pardon, major; | did not quite understand. The
name OF the intended, if you please 2"
Sergeant Hosten," replied Major Keller.
Is Il possiblein
"And why no.P Make yourself easy. He
is brave, handsome fellow, five feet fve inches
and half at least"
Catherine could hardly believe her ears, 50
providential did this circumstance appear to her
the distress which she had experienced but q
few minutes ago was suddenly changed at the
sight OF this name into ecstacies Of Joy.
We'll, do you still refusei" said the major.
81 consent, major, and am ready 10 sign.
Long live King Frederick"
IAN in good time. was sure Of it'll know
the SEX"
When he bad left the room; Keller called Ser
geant Hos;en.
Albert Oor this was the young sergeantis
name) now entered, making q military salute.
On pereeiving the young girl, he exclaimed
Catherine the sister OF my betrothedl What
an unexpected pleasure! !"
"Albert, my sisters loverl Oh, cruel mis-
takel" calculated Catherine, her dreaus Of hap
piness once more vanishing.
Commander, what are your ordersf"
"They are these, Sergeant HOsten. In the
kings name you are appointed to marry this
young girl" At the words, "in the kings
name;" Albert shouldered his arms, but on hear.
ing the words which followed, he suddenly let
fall his gun, and stood as u petr;ded.
Do you underStandi"
ayes, commander" said Albert mechanically.
"a quarter Of an hour is given you to be-
come acquainted with each other, and to sigu the
promise Of marriage"
Pardon-excuse, major" cried Albert
"Doubtless his m4iesty's eommands--it is my
duty to-but you understand that iD quarter Of
an hour"
"Are you speaking at randOmH" asked the
major, interrupting HIM.
"No, major; no But the surprise, the arrange
ment Scarcely arrived in the garrison, and to
be all at once married. Il is like cannon which
goes of before the match has taken light. Alter
an, what claim have l to lnadrmoiselle'S hand !"
" Five feet and nearly six inches. She is con-
tented with that Look at her, and take exam
pie by her."
WHAT does mademOisello consent to this
marriageI"
"She asks nothing better"
"That is to say, major" put In Catherine /;
= You cried, Long live the kingr and vol
unteered to sign immediately" interrupted the
major.
al was mistaken, commander" replied she.
+" thought that il was Ludwig Hosten, my be-
trothed, and Il is Albert Hosten, his brother,
who Is my sisters alfianc,d husband. You de-
ceived me by telling me that Albert was in the
liflh company"
al was a month ago" replied Albert e. ex-
changed with my brother. YoI see, major, il
was thus the mistake arose."
"Pooh pooh Have done with all these
stories. The kings letter is all | care about"
exclaimed be, reading il again. -'Order to
Major Keller to choose a soldier Of the garrison,
and IN marry him Immediately 10 the Young girl
who presents this letter TO him. Nothing Is
said there dbout sister, brother, or lovers. You,
my dear, were the bearer Of the letter, and you,
sergeant, have chosen. You shall be married.
These are my orders. You have lost i've min
utes said he. pulling out his watch you have