Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1874-01-17

"What do you know of that culprit?'


he cried.
His sentence is unjust she an
swered, firmly, "and therefore fit OBJ
iect for the interference of the queen. y
She rose, went to the table and took n
paper from it, Now, if l were Queen,
would approach the King, as do you,
with this paper in my hand. She
walked up to him with dignity.
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 sur
prise, and looked at it.
a pardon for CAPITA. Reinold," he
exclaimed, and his brow darkened
angrily. " Indeed, then my dear little
friend, if [ were Charles XII, this
would be my answer.
He tore up the paper.
Nothing discomposed, she immedi-
ately drew another paper from her
pocket.
"Then, she said, and knelt at his
feet, pleadingly, as she spoke, " King
of Sweden, your eyes are blinded, not
by Justice, but by anger. When Cap
tain Reinold was intrusted with that or
der, he found the battle of Pultowa
irretrievably lost if he had delivered
it, he would only have caused mas
sacre of the Swedish prisoners by the re-
morseless Russians. For this reason
alone he did not deliver it, and thus in
cured your Majestys displeasure.
81 desire to know the reason of the
extraordinary interest you take in this
young man q he asked.
You shall know, Count" she an
swered, "when you have promised to
obtain his pardon from the King"
81 will make no such promise, cried
Charles, sternly.
A timid knocking at the door dis
it, but Charles, aware of the ridiculous
manner in which he was dressed, re-
strained her. Then the voice of the
Baron was heard, in very tremulous ac-
cents, declaring that the royal council
was assembled, and awaited the pres;
ence of the Count.
Charles, in dismay, begged Ikla to re-
move the dress, for he found it impos-
sible to do so but she only laughed at
his predicament.
"Wretched girl" he exclaimed,
angrily, "you have forced me to de-
clare myself. I am the King"
But she only laughed the louder.
"Sire," she answered with mocking
courtesy, 81 have known it from the
first. Sign the pardon, therefore, or 1
will at once admit the council
The king was obliged to acknowledge
himself vanquished. He signed the
pardon, and Ikla freed him from the
obnoxious garments. Then she ad-
mitted her uncle, and informed the
King that he was all the council there
was assembled, and reassured the poor
Baron, who looked half frightened to
death for his share in the little plot.
"Baron de Gortz," said Charles,
for certain reasons l have pardoned
Captain Reinold. Let this pardon be
sent to him at once"
Ikla took the pardon.
There is no occasion to send it,
sire, she said, archly. 81 can deliver
it myself Gustavus is concealed in the
chateau"
"Gustavus again = cried the King,
sharply. is this man your lover?'
"He is; and would have been my
husband"
"Then you have deceived me every
way
No, sire you deceived yourself.
Had | been ambitious, l might have
sealed your ruin; as it is, l have saved
Sweden from Queen who would not
have been worthy of her, and restored
to her King who is"
He was determined she should not
beat him every way.
"1kla,' he exclaimed, 81 will restore
Reinold to favor, and make him a
colonel; and, as l still have my doubts
about him, let you marry him. No
doubt you will teach him to Obey
orders in future and may he not
find
"What ~
"That he has caught Tartar p