The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-10-27

Il swear it.
Ikla laughed gleefully, went into an adj
joining room, and brought forward an an
tique costume, such as had been worn by
the DANES of fifty years ago.
Il 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 tie, no swearing in a lady's pres
ence," she said, checking him. But | am
glad | have discovered what your love
amounts to-"
He expostulated with her, and ended, as
common mOrtals do, in submitting To Il wo-
mans will. This love is 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.
"Faugh,' he cried, in disgust, :. this
dress makes me smell like musk rat.
You don't like perfumes, them
No-yes-one, gunpowderi I'm like
Charles the Twelfth, and there's no per-
fume for me but gunpowder"
~ y, wish L were his wife. exclaimed
Ikla, fervently
He regarded her in pleased surprise.
What are you in love with the king?'
20 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"
:" 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, l do" he answered, with signifi-
cant smile
CONSIDER 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 l would teach him the true value
of his noble prerogative."
(Which is"
Mercy"
Come, come. Charles the Twelfth is Sc
vere 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 culprit ?"
he cried
His sentence is unjust" she answered,
firmly, and therefore a fit object for the
interference of the queen" She arose,
went to the table and took paper from
it. Now, if were queen, | would APP
proach the king, as | do you, with this
paper in my hand" She walked up to
him with dignity. Il 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, THIS would be
my answer"
He tore up the paper. Nothing discOm
posed she Immediately drew another paper
from her pocket.
"Then," she said, and knelt 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 "a
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 displeasure."
III desire to know the reason of the ex-
traordinary interest you take in this young
man." he asked, curiOusly, and she thought
by his tone that he was jealous.
You shall know, count" she answered,
when you promise to obtain his pardon
from the king"
IL will make no such promise" cried
Charles. sternly
A timid knocking at the door disturbed
them. Ikla would have opened it, but
Charles, aware of the ridiculous manner in
which he was dressed restrained her.
Then the voice of the baron was heard, in
very tremulous accents, declaring that the
royal council was assembled and awaited
the presence of the count Charles in dis
he found it impossible to do SO, but she
only laughed at his predicament
'Wretched girlr' he exclaimed angrily
''yOu force me to declare myself am the
kingl'
But she only laughed the louder.
"Sire," she answered, with mocking
curtesy, Il have known it from the first
Sign the pardon, therefore, or | will al
once admit the council, and let them
see how you look in my grandmother
clothes"
The king was obliged to acknowledge
himself fairly vanquished He signed the
pardon and Ikla freed him from the OBJ
nOxiOus garments Then she admitted her
uncle, and informed the king that he was
all the council there was assembled, and
treasured the poor baron, who looked hall
frightened to death for the share he had
taken in this little plot
Baron de GOrtz," said Charles, "for
certain reasons | have pardOned Captain
Reinold. Let this pardon be sent to him
at once"
Ikla took the pardon
There is no occasion to send it, sire,
she said, archly Il can deliver it myself
Gustavus is concealed in this chateau"
"Gustavus again cried the king, sharp
ly. is this man your lOver?"
He is-and would have been my hus
band"
Then you have deceived me every
way"
No, sire; you have deceived yourself
Had been ambitious, might have scale,
your ruin; as it is, | have saved Swedel
from a queen who would not have beer
worthy of her, and restored to her a kin.
who is"
He was determined she should not bea
him in every way.
!, "Ikla," he exclaimed, 81 will restor
Reinold to favor and make him colonel
and as | still have my doubts about him
marry him. No doubt you will teach hin
to obey orders in future; and may he no
l