Centre Hall reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1868-1871, 1871-01-27

You might as well say You think you
know yourself"
How ?" he said, supiciously.
(Which no man does.
80, l know you, at all events. /
know what taking, striking, bewitch-
ing little creature you are. Above all |
know how l love you. / am plain,
blunt soldier, and ike to know the worst
that can happen TO ME. Do you love
me ?"
Is that the worst that can happen to
You ?" she asked demurly.
"Ikla, 1 generally get the best of it at
blows but | own you beat me on words.
/ shall simply return TO the charge. Do
YOU love me p
II must haveproof of your love before
i answer that"
'sWhat proof p
would You grant any little whim of
mine 2"
Certainly would.
Don't make any rash promises. y
81 swear 1t. "
Ikla laughed gleeiully, went into an
adjoining room, aud brought forward an
antique costume, such as had been worn
by all the DANES of forty years ago.
II 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.
80, fie no swearing in lady's pre-
sence - she said, checking him. But
l am glad have discovered what your
love amounts to.
He expostulated with her, and ended.
as common mortals do, in submitting TO
a woman's viii.
She then dressed him in the heavy
brocade dress, and then tied the high,
starched cap under his chin.
"Faugh =, he cried, in disgust, this
dress makes me smell likes musk
rat"
'Yon don't like perfumes, then?"
"No-yes one ne-gunpowder ! Tn
like Charles the Twelfth, and there's no
perfume for me but gunpowder."
40, wish were his wife - exclaim-
ed Ikla, fervently.
He regarded her in pleased surprise.
What are You in love with the
king q
30, 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
replied. "And pray, what else would
you do for the good of your country ?"
Il would soften his character. 1
would tame this lion; and he should
soon be as much beloved as he is already
admired and feared"
"And how is this to be accomplished"
inquired Charles
''Sit down and let me tell you. There,
now, you must fancy yourself Charles
the Twelfth.
"Well, 1 do" he answered, with
significant smile.
''Consider me the queen, she con-
tinued, and drew her chair beside him.
$50 on, he cried, rather pleased with
tie conceit.
81 should devote my life TO obtaining
and securing his entire confidence" "
eve viii suppose You have it. J"
"Then / should use it TO make him
submit, on all fitting occasions, to my
sovereign will l would teach him the
true value OF his noblest prerogative." T"
(Which is"
"Mercy."
"Come, come, Charles the Twelfth is
severe, / know, but he is Just"
'Not always. Witness the case Of
Captain Reinold."
Charles started, and glanced at her
suspiciously.
"what do you know Of that culprit ?"
he cried.
/" His sentence is unjust, she answer
ed, firmly, "and therefore a fit object for
the interference of the queen. Now, il
were queen, I would approach the
king, as / do you, with this paper in my
hand" She walked up to him with dig
nifty. 81 would say to him, Sire, your
honor and your glory both require that
you should put your name to this
sign"
He took the paperfrom herin surprise,
and looked at il.
GA pardon for Captain Reinold, he
exclaimed, and his brow darkened an
grily. "Indeed, then, my dear little
friend, il I were Charles the Twelfth,
this would be my answer"
He tore up the paper.
Nothing disconnected, 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 entrusted with that order
he found the battle of Pultowa irretriev-
ably 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 not
deliver it, and thus incurred your mai
esty's displeasure.
"I desire to know the reason of the
extraordinary interest you take in this
young man p he asked.
"You shall know, Count" she an
swered, "when you have promised tc
obtain his pardon from the king"
"I will make no such promise, cried
Charles, sternly.
A timid knocking at the door disturb
ed them. Ikla would have opened it,
but Charles, aware of the ridiculous
manner in which he was dressed, re-
strained her. Then the voice of the
baron was heard, in very tremelous &C
cents, declaring that the royal council