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

Charles the Twelfth OF Sweden, sur
named, on account of his warhke pro-
psnsites, by his admirers, the Lion of
the North, and by his detract0rs, with
equal Justice, perhaps, the Mailman OF
the North, " accidentally encountered, Mt
the Chateau Gortz. q young creature
from the banks of the Volgar-a niece Of
Baron GortE. So powerful was the i'm
preston she at once made upon the
hitherto impregnahle heart of the hero,
so completely was he spell-bound in her
charms, that he seemed to lose all recol-
lection of other matters, even of the dis
aStrous battle of Pultowa.
The name of this enchantress waS the
Princess Ikla-for she was Princess,
her mother, the baron's sister, having
married the Hetman of the Tartars.
Being left an orphan at an early age, she
had taken up her residence with Baron
Gortz at StralsUnd.
The baron was bit of historian-or
thought he was-and was then engaged
in writing the history of the king, who
called upon him often to revise and cor
rect the work. Besides, the baron was
one of the crown councillors, and was
often entrusted with important business
Of the state.
Charles the Twelfth had the desire
which seems inherent in the breast of
greatness-he wished to be loved for him
self alone, without any regard to his state
and grandeur. Consequently he had him
self presented to Ikla under the simple
title of Count D'0lfen, and in that name
he paid his court to the erratic princess /;
for her Tartar blood made her disregard
many of the conventionalities If life,
though her uncle often declared that she
had the blood Of the Gortzes luIl in her
veins, and was no more Tartar than he
was-and there was not much of the Kali
muck about him.
Baron Gortz was highly delighted at
the prospect of becoming the uncle of
tie king but that delight was tempered
by wholesome dread OF his prospective
nephew-inlaw. For, stripping off the
dazzling veil of his military glory, he
must acknowledge that the "Lion of the
North" was an unmiigated tyrant, and
ruled his subjects IN n very arbitrary
manner.
Baron De Gortz had proof of this one
day, when he received letter from the
king. It contained these words
Baron Gortz, information has reached
me that the Captain of Hubans, GustaYus
Reinold, who was condemned to death
for neglect of orders at the battle of Pull
iowa, but who escaped before the execu-
ton of his sentence, has been seen in
Stralsund. Write instantly to the govern
or tell him hold him responsible for
the apprehension Of this traitor. Within
five minutes of his being taken and
identified, let htm be shot. And the
person in whose house he shall be found
shall be forthwith shot. CHARLES"
The letter troubled the good old baron
sorely, for his niece had made him pro-
mise TO intercede for this identical young
officer. He broke into a cold perspira-
ton when he reflected that II he did so
the probability was that he should get
himself shot for his pains. He wished
fondly in his heart that the king and
Ikla were married, because then he
should be his uncle, and he could never
think of shooting one of the royal
family.
He wrote the order to the governor,
and sent it by servant, who informed
him than an officer of the police wished
to speak to him. Wondering ut this, he
hurried to the hall below. On his return
he found Ikla, sylphic. dark-haired,
dark-eyed gypsy of a woman, gazing list
lessly from the large bay window into
the street below. She noticed that he
was in state of perturbation.
"What is the matter p she asked.
'I want to put you on your guard, he
exclaimed sbreathlessly. "The police
have sent to say they have reason to be-
heve that young man Is concealed some
where in my chateau"
81 know" answered Ikla, cooly. 81
concealed him."
Your exclaimed the astonished
baron, "Who is he?"
Gustavus Reinold."
The baron uttered dismal groan.
Ikla, you have murdered me r. he
cried, and sank feebly into chair.
"Not SO bad as that, Il hope" she re-
piled smilingly.
81 tell you that whoever harbors the
traitor is TO be shot p'' exclaimed the
frightened baron, irately.
You know well that Gustayus is no
traitor"
What signifies that ? II the king
orders it, he must be shot-and SO must
Ip And the baron groaned again.
"What made you take so fatal an inte-
rest in this wretched young man p
:" His misfortunes, replied Ikla. HE
is innocent; I know it, and my dear
mother, your sister knew it also. Forced
by cruel and unjust sentence to fly his
country, he found refuge and safety In
ours"
/"Then why the deuse did he leave
Il -"
"Tofollow me when you sent for me.
Finding the pursuit SO hot, I thought the
best asylum for him was your chateau. !"
at this moment servant entered the
room, and announced Count D'Olfen.
The baron's visage frightened with a
hopeful idea.
"There is but one chance for us all I'
he exclaimed "marry the count, and
then" He checked himself abruptly.
eff it depends on that, our chance is
small" she returned, roguishly "but
listen to me--obey me, and all viii yet
be well. ! intend to play desperate