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

|
"Ho. Do you know ?" she asked. archly.
II think know him."
You night - we'll say you think you know
yourself"
"Ho. ?" be cried, sa'piciously.
| (Which no man does"
"Oh! know you, at all events. know what
. taking, stirling. bewitching little creature you
are; above al. know how I love yoa3 am q
plain, bluat soldier, and like to know the worst
| that can happen to me. Do you love me?
rs that the worst that can happen to you 2"
she seksA. dsmurely.
'Ikla, generally get the best of it at blows.
but ewn you beat me at words. shall simply
| return to the charge-do you love me?"
II must have proof of your love before I an
swer that"
"What proof7"
Would you grant any little whim of mine p"
Certainly, would"
Don't make any rash promises"
II swear i'll"
lkls 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 AZ my grandmother" she
cried.
The king was appalled,.
death and the dew" he began.
20, fs! no swearing in lady's 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 q woman's
will. This love is a 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"
gym don't like uerfumas than S0
"No-yss-one, gunpowdsr! I'm like Charles
the Twelfth, aud there's no other perfume for
me but guupowder"
20, wish were his wife |" exclaimed Ikla,
fervently.
He regarded her in pleased surprise.
What! arc you in love with tie king?"
20, dear, no! Only one might be inclined to
sacrifice ones self for the sake of ones couatry."
Charles smiled grimly.
''You are vastly condescending," he replied ;
land pray, what else would you do for your
| country 2"
Il would soften his character. I would tame
his lion, and he should soon be as m ch beloved
as he slready is admired and feared"
"Aad how is this marvel to be accomplished p"
| inquired Charles, 50 much interested that he
| forgot the ridiculous figure ne cut in the old
wonau's clothes.
"Sit down aud let me tell you. There, now,
|
"Well, d." he answered, with q significant
| smile.
Consider me the queen" she continued, and
| drew up her chair beside him.
Go on" he cried, rather pleased with the
conceit.
II should devote my life to obtaining and Sc.
curing his confidence"
1--WE will suppose you have it,"
Then should Use it to make him submit, on
Et
would teach him the true value of his noble pre-
rogstivs."
(Which is"
Mercy"
"Comt, come, Charles the Twelfth is severe, I
know, but he is just
"Not always. Witness the case of Captain
Reinold."
Charles started and looked at her suspiciously
"Wbai do you know of the eulprit Z" he
cried.
"His sentence is unjust" she answered firm.
ly; 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. II would
say to him. Sire, your honor and your glory
both require that you should put your name to
this-sgn.'"
He took tie paper from her in surprise and
looked ut it.
"a pardon for Captain Rcinold!' he exclaim-
cd, and his brow darkened angrily. Indeed.
them my little dear friend, if were Charles the
Twelfth, this would be my answer"
He tore up the paper. Nothing discomposed,
she Immediately drew another paper from her
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; if he had delivered it, he would only have
caused massacre Of the Swedish prisoners by
the remorsele.s Russians. For this reason alone
he did not deliver 1t, and then incurred your
majesty's displeasure.'
II desire to know the reason of the extraordi.
nary interest you take in this young man z" he
asked, curiously, and she thought by his 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,
-ternly.
A timid knocking at the door disturbed them
lkls would have opened it, bat Cnarle., aware
OF the ridiculous manner in which Ne was dress
ed, detained her. Then the voice of the baron
~as heard IN very tremulous acccuts declaring
that the royal council WAS assembled and await.
ed III" presence Of the count. Charles, in dis.
may. begged lkla to remove the dress, for he
t~nn1 II impossible TO do SO, but she only
hn.n'd at his predicamen,.
"Wr-'ched girl I" he exclaimed, anyrily, "you
fore" 'ne to declare myself-l am the king!"