The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-03-04

quickly.
..How Dc you know 2" she asked. archly.
II think know him"
"You night o we'll say you think you know
yourself"
"How ?" be cried, suspiciously.
(Which no man does"
"Oh! know you, at all events know what
. taking stirling, bewitching little creature you
are shove Ill, know how love you? am q
plain, bluat soldier, and like to know the worst
that can happen to me. Do you love me!"
"Is that the worst that can happen to you p
she seksl. dsmurely.
'Ikla, I generally get the best Of it at blows.
but ewn you beat me at words. shall simply
return to the charge-do you love meI"
II must have proof of your love before an.
swer that"
"What proof7"
Would you grant any little within of mine z"
Certainly, would"
Don't make any rash promises"
II swear III"
Ikls laughed gleefully, went into an adjoining
room and brought forward an antique costume,
such rs had been worn by the danes Of fifty
years ago.
II have the greatest desire to see how you
would look dressed as my grandmother" she
cried.
The king was appalled,.
death and the dew" he began.
20. fe! no swearing in lady presence" she
said, checking him. "But am glad have dis
covered what your love amounts to-"
He expostulsted with her, and ended, as com.
mon mortals do, in submitting to a woman's
will. This love 10 powerful master. She
dressed him in petticoat, and heavy brocade
dress, and tied the high.starched cap tightly
under his chin.
"Fauyh" he cried. in disgust, "this dress
makes nae smell like muskrat"
"You don't like perfumes then ?"
"No--yss-one, gunpowdsr I'm like Charles
the Twelfth aud there's no other perfume for
me but guupowder
20, wish l were his wife !" exclaimed Ikla,
fervently.
He regarded her in pleased surprise.
"WhAt arc you in love with tie king? 2"
80. dear, no! Only one might be inclined to
sacrifice ones self for the sake of ones couatry"
Charles smiled grimly.
"YoV are vastly understanding" he replied !;
land pray, what else would you do for your
country"
II would soften his character. I would tame
his lion, and he should soon be Is zach beloved
as he already il admired and feared"
And how is this marvel to be accomplished ?"
inquired Charles, SO much interested that he
forgot the ridiculous figure ne cut in the old
wonsn's clothes.
"sit down aud let me tell YOU There, now
you must fancy yourself Charles XII"
well, I do" he answered, with significant
smile.
Consider me the queen" she continued, and
drew up her char beside him.
'Go on" he cried, rather pleased with the
conceit.
II should devote my life to obtaining and se.
curing his confidence"
1--WE will suppose you have it."
"Then should Use it to make him submit on
all fitting occasions, to my sovereign will.
would teach him the true value of his noble pre-
rogativs."
(Which is"
Mercy"
"Comt, come, Charles the Twelfth is severe, I
know, but he is just
"Not always. Witness the case of Captain
ReinoId."
Charles started and looked at her suspiciously
"Wbai do you know of the culprt Z" he
cried.
His sentence is uAjust," she answered, firm
y; land he lis therefore fit object for the in.
reference of the queen"
She arose, went to the table, and took paper
from it.
Now, if were the queen. would approach
the king AZ l do you, with this paper in my
hand"
She walked up to him with dignity. 81 would
say to him, Sire, your honor and your glory
both require that You should put your name to
this-sisu.'"
He took TIE paper from her in surprise aud
looked at it.
"A pardon for Captain Rcinold {" he exclaim-
ed, and his brow darkened angrily. Indeed.
then my little dear friend, if l were Charles the
Twelfth, this would be my answer
He tore up the paper. Nothing discomposed,
lt,%n al,
pocket.
"Then," she said, and knelt at his feet plead
ingly as she spoke. "King Of Sweden, your eyes
are blinded not by justice, but by anger. When
Captain Reinold was intrusted with that order
he found the battle OF Pultowa irretrievably
lost; it he had delivered it, he would Only have
caused massacre of the Swedish prisoners by
the remOrsele.s Russians. For thi. reason alone
he did not deliver 1t, and then incurred your
majesty's displeasure."
Il desire to know the reason of the extraordi.
nary interest you take in this young man ~ he
asked, curiously, and she thought by hi, tone he
was jealous.
you shall know, Count she answered,
when you have promised to obtain the pardon
from the king"
II will make no such PROMISE cried Charles,
sternly.
A timid knocking at the door disturbed them.
lkla would have opened it, bat Charle., aware
OF the ridiculous manner in which he was dress.
ed, detained her. Then TIE voice of the baron
was heard IN very tremulous acc.nts declaring
that the royal council WAS assembled aud await.
rd III" presence Of the count Charles, in dis.
may. h-Gg'd lkla to remove the dress, for he
t-nnI II impossible to do SO, bat she only
l,u.n,d AT his predican.en,
'"re'ched girl d" lie exclaimed, angrily. "you
fore" ,nu to declare myself am the king!