Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-11-03

she did not know who he was, he must
remember he did
In her turn Ikla also had her reflections
He seeks Tartar" she thought, he
shall find one"
What, count" she exclaimed, " in reg
imentals. How devoted YOU must be to
the king"
We'll, / am" he admitted; but came
here, as well as can recollect, to tell you
how devoted am to y,u; only l confess
myself awkward in these matters. never
cared for woman till saw you"
why, count. you must be the very
counterpart of the king" cried Ikla, CO.
quettishly. They say he Ae'es women"
He does no such thing" replied
Charles, quickly.
How do you know" she asked, archly.
81 think know him."
you might as well say you think
you know yourself"
How ?" he cried, suspiciously.
(Which no man does"
"Oh! know go" at all events. Iknow
what taking, striking, bewitching little
creature you are; above all, l know how !
love you! am plain, blunt soldier, and
/ like to know the worst that can happen
to me- Do you love me."
us that the worst that can happen to
your" she asked, demurely.
"Ikla, generally get the best of it at
blows, but own you beat me at words. l
simply return to the charge-do you love
me
IL must have proof Of your love before
answer that"
what proof?"
would you grant any little within of
miner"
" Certainly would"
Don't make any rash promises"
Il swear it"
Ikla laughed gleefully, went into an ad
joining room, and brought forward an an
tiQue costume such as had been worn by
the danes of fifty years ago.
81 have the greatest desire to see how
you would look dressed as my grand
mother" she cried.
The king was appalled,.
Death and the dew" he began.
90 fe! no swearing in lady's pres
ence," she said, checking him But am
glad l have discovered what your love
amounts to-"
He expostulated with her, and ended, as
common mortals do, in submitting to wo-
mans will. This love is a powerful mas
ter. She dressed him in the stiff petit
coat, and heavy brocade dress, and tied
the high starched cap tightly under his
chin.
"Faughr' he cried, in disgust, "this
dress makes me smell like musk rat"
You don't like perfumes, them
No-yes-one, gunpowder! I'm like
Charles the Twelfth, and there's no per
fume for me but gunpowder!"
90, / wish were his wife," exclaimed
Ikla, fervently
He regarded her in pleased surprise
What are you in love with the kings"
90 dear, no. Only one might be inclined
to sacrifice ones self for the good of ones
country"
Charles smiled grimly.
You are vastly condescending," he re-
piled; land pray what else would you do
for the good Of your country"
Z" | would soften his character. | would
tame this lion, and he should soon be as
much beloved as he already is admired and
feared"
And how is this marvel TO be accom-.
plished?" inquired Charles, SO much inter
ested that he forgot the ridiculous figure
he cut in the old woman's clothes
"Sit down, and let me tell you. There
now, you must fancy yourself Charles the
Twelfth"
"Well, do he answered, with signfi-
cant smile.
"Considcr me the queen" she continued,
and drew up her chair beside him.
go on" he replied, rather pleased with
the conceit
Il should devote my life to obtaining
and securing his entire confidence"
We will suppose you have"
"Then | should use it to make him sub
nit on all fitting occasions, to my sover-
ing will would teach him the true value
of his noble prerogative."
(Which is"
Mercy
Come come, Charles the Twelfth is Sc
we're, know, but he is just"
Not always. Witness the case of Cap
tain Reinold."
Charles started and glanced at her sus-
piciously.
What do you know of that culpnt9"
he cried.
His sentence is unjust" she answered,
firmly, land therefore ut object for the
interference of the queen" She arose,
went to the table and took paper from
it. Nov, If / were queen, | would ap-
proach the king as / do you, with this
paper in my hand" She walked up to
him with dignity. II would say to him,
Sire, your honor and your glory both re-
quire that you should put your name to
this-sign."
He took the paper from her, in surprise,
and looked at it.
"A pardon for Captain Remodel" he
exclaimed, and his brow darkened an
grily.
Indeed. then my dear little friend, If
were Charles the Twelfth, thss would be
my answer"
He tore up the paper Nothing discom-
posed, she Immediately drew another paper
from her pocket.
"Then,' she said and knet at his feet,
pleadingly as she spoke, King Of Sweden,
your eyes are blinded, not by justice but
by anger When Captain Reinold was in
trusted with that order, he found the bat
tie of Pultowa irretrievably lost; If he had
delivered it, he would only have caused
massacre Of the Swedish prisoners, by the
remorseless Russians. For this reason
alone he did mt deliver it, and thus in
CURED your majesty's displcasure.
II desire To know the reason Of the ex-
traordinary interest you take in this young
man ?" lac asked, curiously, and she thought
bv HE tor,o that ha ,raa inolnus