The Lincoln County herald., 1871-01-12

know how love you'll Do you love
me ?"
II must have proof Of your love before
I answer that"
"What proofp"
"Would you grant any little whim of
mine ?"
Certainly would"
"Don't make any rash promises"
III swear it,"
Ikla laughed gleefully, went into an
room, and brought forth an
antique costume, such as had been worn
by the danes Of Fifty years ngo.
II have the greatest desire to see how
you would look dressed as my grand.
mother" she cried.
The King was appalled,.
"Death aud the dev--" he began.
"Ob, fe no swearing in lady's
presoncc!" she said, checking him.
"But l am glad I have discovered what
your love amounts to-"
He expostulated with her, and ended,
as common mortals do, in submitting to
woman's will.
She then dressed him in heavy bro.
cade dress, and tied the high, starched
cap under his chin.
"Faugh p he cried in disgust; "this
dress makes me smell like muskrat."
"You don't like perfumes, then2'
"No-ycs; one--gunpowderl I'm
like Charles the Twelfth and there's no
perfume for me but gunpowder."
"Oh, I wish l were his wife!" ex.
claimed lkla, fervently.
He regarded her in pleased surprise.
what are you in love with the
King?
ooh, 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 ?"
81 would soften his character. l
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, aud let me tell you. There,
now, you must fancy yourself Charles the
Twelfth"
"Well, l do," he answered, with sig
nificant smile.
"Consider me the Queen" she contin.
ued, and drew chair beside him.
GO on" he cried, rather pleased with
the conceit.
II should devote my life to obtaining
and securing his entire confidence.
"We will suppose you have it.
Then 1 should use it to make him
submit on all fitting occasions, to my SOW.
ereign will. would teach him the true
value of his noblest prerogativo."
(Which is"
"Mercy."
"Comc, come. Charles the Twelfth is
severe, | know but he is just
"Not always. Witness the case OF
Captain Renolds."
Charles started, and glanced at her
suspiciouslY. "a
"What do you know of the culprit p
he cried.
"His sentence is unjust" she an
swered, firmly. "and, therefore, a fit OBJ
ject for the interference of tho Queen. u
She rose, went to tho table, and took
paper from it. SNOW, if l were Queen
| would approach the King as do you
with this paper in my hand" She
walked up to him, Sire, your honor and
your glory both require 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 Reinold," be
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 discomposed, she Immediately
drew another from her pocket.
"Then," she said, and knelt at his feet
pleadingly, as she spoke, "King o
Sweden, your eyes are blinded, not by jus
tice, but by anger"
| desire to know the reason of th,
extraordinary interest you take in thi
young man." he asked.
"You shall know, Count" she an
swered, "when you have promised (,
obtain his pardon from the King"
II will make no such PROMISE" b.
cried sternly.
A timid knocking at the door dis
turbed them. Ikla would have openet
it; but Charles. aware Of the ridiculous
manner in which he was dressed, re,
strained her. Then the voice of tb
T Baron was heard in yery tremulous ac
cents, declaring that the Royal Council
was assembled, and awaited the presenc
Of the Count.
Charles, in dismay, begged lkla to re
move the dress, for be found it impossibl
to do so; but she only laughed at hi
predicament.
"Wretched girl |" he exclaimed, an
grily; "you have forced me to declar
|, myself. l am the King"
But she only laughed the louder.
"Sire," she answered, with . mockiu
| ov-koav CT have Lon.o - c~ovv, ho g..