Vicksburg weekly herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1868-1883, 1870-09-17

snail save . llo Of 2 more eAiue
than my own"
She held q rapid conferences with
the baron, and thought be listened
10 her at first with astonishment
and alarm, she finally won him over
20 her purpose, and he promised 10
assist her, though Il was with fear
and trembling; but he had @rptty
well made up bic mind BY this time
that ho should be shot any way,
and he thought It didn't make much
difference for what.
He withdrew, and Charles the
Twelfth, as Count D'0lfen, entered
the room. he wore the uniform
Of bis favOrite regiment; 9 light
blue coat trimmed with gold, and
the corners Of the skirts turned
back buff leather breeches, high
boots Of black leather, to which q
formidable pair Of spurs was at
tached q three-cornered black hat,
9 black stock, buff gauntlets. and a
heavy sword. He looked more
like . warrior equipped for the
field, than q lover seeking his lady's
bower.
He felt like q timid schO0lboy In
the presence Of this piquant beauty,
who had stOrmed the outw0rks Of
his heart, aud penetrated TO the very
citadel. Would any one believe that
he was Charles the Twelfth? He
began to doubt II himself. Nations
trembled ct his name. yet he-I will
not say trembled-but felt very
much like q fool in the presence Of
q simple girl. He felt that this
would never do. Though she did
not know who be was, he must no.
member that he did.
In her turn Ikla also had her re-
Elections.
He seeks a Tartar" she thought,
= and be shall find one"
"What, count" she exclaimed,
In regimintals? How devoted
you must be to the king"
Well, ! am" he admitted ; but
l came here, 90 well as | can recol-
lect, to tell you how devoted / am
to you; only l confess myselfawk-
ward In these matters. l never
cared for a woman till l saw you"
Why, count, you must be the
very counterpart Of the king" cried
Ikla, coquetishly. "TheY say he
hates women"
He does no such thing" replied
Charles quickly.
How do you know 7" she asked,
archly.
"Ithink l know him."
"You RIight as well say you
think you know yourself"
"How he cried, susriciously.
(which no mai does"
"Oh!l EuOw you, at all events. l
know what n taking, striking, be.
wilching little creature you are
above all | know how | love you
| am u plain blunt soldier, and like
TO know the worst that can happen
10 me. Do you love me?"
as that the worst that can hap
pen you! 7" she asked, demurely.
okla, l generally get the best OF
it at blows, but l own you beat lie
at words. l shall simply return to
the Charge--do you love me?"
81 must have proof of'your love
before | answer that"
What proof"
"Would you grant any little
within of mine 7"
Certainly ! would"
"Don't make any rash promises"
~ swear It,"
lila laughed gleefully, went into
an adjoining room, and brought
forward an antique costume, such
as had been worn by the danes
fifty years ago.
Il have the greatest desire to see
how you would look dressed as my
randmother," she cried.
The king was appalled,.
death aud the dew" he began.
40 fle! no swearing in a lady 3
presence" she said, checking him.
"Dut am glad | have discovered
what your love amounts to-"
He expOstulated with her, and
ended, as common morlals do, in
submitting to woIuan's will. This
love is a powerful master. She
dressed him in the still petticoat,
aud heavy brocadc dress, and tied
The high starched cap tightly under
his chin.
"Faugh' he cried in disgust, this
dress makes me smell like a musk
rat
"You don't like perfumes then p
Moves -One, gunpowder! I'm
like Charles the Twelfth. and there
is no perfume for me but gunpow-
der!"
"Oh, | wish l were his wife" ex-
claimed lila, fervently.
lie regarded her ia pleased sur
prise.
what arc youth love with the
king?'
~ dear, no! Only one might be
inclined to sacrifice ones self for the
good Of ones country"
Charles smiled grimly.
"YOu are vastly condecending,'
he replied "and pray what else
would you do for the good of your
country 2"
IL would soften his character. l
would tame this lion, and be should
soon be as much beloved as he al.
ready is admired and feared"
"And how is this marvel 10 be
accomplished p inquired Charles,
SO much interested that he forgot
the ridiculous figure he cut in the
old womans clothes.
"Sit down and let me tell you,
There now, you must fancy your.
self Charles the Twelfth"