The Placer herald., 1874-01-24
AUBURN, PLACER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA JANUARY 2l 1874

love me ?"
Il must have proof Of your love before
l answer that"
"What proof?"
"Would you grant any little whim Of
miner"
"Certainly would"
"Don't make any rash promises"
II swear it,"
Ikla laughed g:sefully. went into IN ad-
joining room and brought forth an antique
costume, snch as had been worn by the
DANES # fifty years ago.
IL have the greatest desire to see how
you would look dressed up as my grand
mother" she cried. Ind
The king was appalled,.
"Death and the dew" he began.
"Oh, fe! no swearing in a lady's pres
ence," she said, checking him. "But
am glad have discovered what your love
amounts to-"
He expostulated with her, and ended, az
common mortals do, in submitting to wo-
mans will.
She then dressed him in the heavy bro
cade dress, and then tied the high, starched
cap tightly under bis chin.
''Faugh!" he cried in disgust, "this dress
makes me smell like muskrat."
"You don't like perfumes, then p
"No-yes; one-gunpowder. am like
Charles the Twelfth, and there's no perfume
for me but gunpowder."
"Oh, if l were bis wifew exclaimed 1kla,
fervently.
He regarded her in pleased surprise.
"What, are you in love with the king ?"
ooh dear, no! Only one might be in
clined to sacrifice ones self for the good of
ones country"
Charles smiled grimly.
"You are vastly condescending," he re-
piled. "And pray what else would you do
for the good Of your countryP"
81 would soften his character. l would
tame bis lion; and 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, l do" be answered, with a sig
ni6cant smile.
"Consider me the queen" she continued,
and drew her. chair beside him.
"Go on, he cried, rather pleased with
the concet.
81 should devote my life to obtaining and
securing his entire confidence"
"We will suppose you have it."
"Then l should use it to make him sub
nit, on all fitting occasions, to my sovereign
will. would teach him the true value Of
his noble prerogative."
(Which is"
"Mercy."
"Come, come; Charles the Twelfth is &C.
we're, know, but be is just"
"Not always. Witness the case Of
Charles Reinold."
Charles started, and glanced at her sus-
piciously.
"What do you know Of that culprit ?"
be cried.
ellis sentence is unjust" she answered
firmly, "and therefore a fit object for the
interference of the queen" She rose, went
to the table, and took a paper from it..
"Now, if were the queen, l would ap-
proach the king as do you, with this pa
per in my hand" She walked up to him
with dignity. 81 would say to him, Sir,
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 Remodel" he ex-
claimed, and his brow darkened angrily.
"Indeed! then my dear little friend, if l
were Charles the Twelfth this would be my
ans wer. ... ....
He tore ur the paper.
Nothing aiscomposed, she Immediately
drew another paper from her pocket.
"Then," she said, and knelt at bis feet
pleadingly as she spoke, liking Of Sweden,
your eyes are blinded, not by justice but by
anger. When Captain Reinold was en-
trusted with that order be found the battle
of Pultowa irretrievably lost. If he had
delivered it be would only have caused a
massacre of the Swedish prisoners by the
remorseless Russians. For this reason alone
be did not deliver it, and thus incurred your
maJestys dlspieasure.
II desire to know the reason Of the ex-
traordinary interest you take in this young
man ?" he asked.
"You shall know, count" she answered,
"when you have promised to obtain bis
pardon from the king"
II will make no such promise, said
Charles, sternly.
A timid knocking at the door disturbed
them. Ikla would have opened it, but
Charles, aware Of the ridiculous manner in
which be was dressed, restrained her. Then
the voice of the baron was heard, in very
tremulous accents, declaring that the royal
council was assembled, and awaited the
presence Of the count.
Charles, in dismsy. begged Ikla to re-
move the dress, for he found it impossible to
do SO; but she only laughed at bis predica-
ment.