Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-07-13


ander the First, his brother, had no chill
dren. but in the case Of his death, which
could not be expected soon, the Grand
Duke Constantine was to inherit the
throne Of Peter the Great, and leave to
Nicholas at best but the position Of a
Prince of the first blood. Nevertheless,
Frederick William, charmed alike by the
beauty and intellect Of his guest, and by
the hope of uniting the sovereign houses
| Of Prussia and Russia by the close tics OF
| family union, greeted the prospect OF a
marriage between the Grand Duke and
his daughter with enthusiasm, especially
when he discovered that the young folks
themselves were very fond of each other.
The King then delicatcly insinuated to
his daughter that if she had taken liking
TO the Grand Duke, and had reason to be-
ieve that the Prince entertained similar
feelings toward her, their marriage would
meet with no objection on his part.
But the young Princess, although &C.
cretly dclighting in hope which SO fully
responded to the secret wishes OF her heart,
was either too proud or TOO bashful to con.
fess to her father her love for the Grand
Duke, who had not yet made any declara-
ton to her.
In this manner the day approached on
which the Grand Duke was to leave Ber-
lin. On the eve Of his departure grand
gala supper was given in his honor at the
ROYAL Palace, and, by way of accident or
policy, the young Princess Charlotte was
seated by the side of her distinguished
admirer.
The Grand Duke was uncommoDly tact
turn during the evening. His high fore.
head WAS clouded, and his gloomy eyes
seemed to follow in the spaoe--yague phans
toms fitting before his Imagination. Re
pcatedly he neglected TO reply TO questions
addressed to him, and when he was asked
to respond 10 q toast which one OF the
royal Princes had proposed in his honor he
seemed TO awake from profound dream
which had entirely withdrawn him from
his surroundings.
Suddenly, rs if by mighty effort Of his
| will, he turned 10 his fair ncighbor, and
whispered so as only TO be understood by
her
$50 shall leave Berlin tomorrow"
He paused abruptly and looked at the
| Princess rs If he was waiting for an an
swer which expressed sorrow aud grief on
her part But the Princess was fully as
proud as the Grand Duke, and overcoming
the violent throbbiDg of her heart, she
said politely to him:
"We are very sorry to see your Imperial
| Highness leave us so soon. Would 1t not
have been possible for you to defer your
departure
| "You will all be very sorry! muttered
the Grand Duke, not entirely satisfied with
| the vagueness Of sorrow which these
words Of the Princess implied. But you
| in particular, madame?" he added, after
some hesitation. "For it will depend on
you alone whether 1 shall stay here or
depart,
est smile, "and what have l TO do TO keep
your Imperial Highness herer'
"You must permit me to address my ad-
miration and homage to YOU
us that all ?"
"And you must encourage NE to please
you"
"That Is much more difficult" said the
| Princess, with deep blush, but at the
same time her eyes beamed forth so much
affection and delight that the Prince could
see al a glance that his fondest hopes had
been realized beforehand.
"Durine my short stay in Berlin" the
Grand Duke continued in the same tone
of voice, IL have taken pains TO study
your character and your affections, and
this study has satisfied me that you would
render me very happy, while on the other
hand have some qualities which would
secure your own happiness.
The princess was overcome by emotion,
and in her confusion did not know what
10 answer. Al last she said. " But here,
i'm the presence of the whole court, at
the public table, you put such question
to me?"
"Oh," replied the Prince" you need not
make anyverbal reply. 1t will be suiii.
Gent for you to give me some pledge OF
your affection. ] see there on your hand
a small risg whose possession would make
me very happy. Give II to me-
"WRat do you think of? Here In the
presenceof hundred spectators y
"Ah, / can be easily done without be
ing seenby anybody. Now we are chat
! ting so quietly together that there is moi
, one ammg the guests suspects In the least
| what We are speaking about. Press tho
} ring int morsel of bread and leave it OF
the tabl, I will take the talisman, anc
nobody will notice It,"
/ This ring Is really talisman."
. ~ expected so. May ! hope to hear it
9 history
: "Wh, nots My first governess was
: Swiss LADY by the name Of Wildermatt
Once slr went to Switzerland in order t.
!. enter upn an inheritance which had beer
( bequeatled to her by distant relative
4; When sic came back to Berlin, few
4 weeks aterward, she showed me quite
j, collection of pretty and costly jewelry
/ which 6rmed part of the inheritance
0 This il a curious old ring, said TO her
1 as I.putthis old fashioned little ring OF
!, my finger Does it not look queer ant
0 cunninje Perhaps 1t is an old relic or tai
Q isman, nd may have been worn centurieI
y ago bya pious lady who had received !
G from hg knight, starting for the Hol!
= Land l tried to take the ring from IN,
O finger gain, but could not get 1t off; TO
n | was alittle fieshier then than now" sale
t Charlotte smilingly.
IS "Mygoverness insisted on my keeping
l. the rims as souvenir l accepted he
., present, and the ring has been on m.
Il finger ger since. Sometime afierward
i when was contemplating It's strang
d workmanship, succeeded in pulling i
I. from m, finger, and was much SURPRISED
It at seeing engraved on the inside som
o words which, though nearly rubbed GU
n by the wear Of time, were still legiblt
l. Now, ycir Imperial Highness, what d