The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-12-18
An Old Time Love Story.


young page in the service of Augusta,
Queen Of Sweden. The remarkable
beauty of the young man, who was
scarcely more than lad. set the hearts
Of all the court maidens aglow with
love. But he WAS inseusible to the honor
conferred upon him by their preference,
for his heart was already IN the keeping
of Gretchen Dunsloif. sweet little
peasant girl. whom he had known all
bis life long.
At last the truth became known. and
with many . little feminine Sigh, the
ladies gave mp the sweet love dream
they hsd Cherished. for well they knew
that the handsome lad would never
prove recreant to his love.
There was one, however-the beAuti-
full Countess Venel-wbo swore in her
heart that she would win the handsome
youth or'dsstroy him.
She was woman Of strong passions.
indomitable will aud remarkable cour-
age, aud she was rather glad than
otherwise when she learned that Durk-
el Was betrothed; for, she reasoned that
she now had but one rival to dispose of.
whereas. il he had been free, sll of the
court ladies would have laid seige to
his heart.
Alb, little did the proud Countess
imagine what ormidable rival was
poo: little Gretchen Dunslof.
After employing ell her powers Of
fascination without avail, she sent one
day for the youth to come to her cnsn;-
Der. He obsyed the summons and found
the Countess dressed in the most elegant
aud becoming manner. She was seated
upon cushioned divau. and motioned
him to seat beside her, but he stood
before her with folded arms, respective
ly awaiting.
Can you not guess why l have sent
for your" she ssked.
II cannot. my lady" was the reply.
Because I love you," she cried. pas.
sionately.
Love met sh. my lady, you Jest"
NAY do not jest. Oh; Durkel. do
you not love me in RETURN
my lady would not dare admit such
. thought into NY heart"
"Not dare Why nots"
I'm but page. my lady"
1T matters not. You shall be my
king. my husband. my master--only
say you lore me- can make you rich
beyond desire; corone. even shall be
yours, only give me your love" and she
threw herself at his feet.
He raised her kindly but firmly, rs
he answered.
NAY. my lady, that may not be, for
! love another"
"Oh. Durkel," she pleaded. think
again before you doom .ne to despair
and yourself to poverty"
"Ah. lady, ! have no power to argue
the question with myself. have no
right 70 think OF it. Gretchen loves me,
and love her with all my heart We
have plighted our troth. and would
not prove false to her. not even for the
kingdom aud the love OF the fair
queen"
Then With low cow be turned and
FASTENED from the room.
After the first storm vi grief and dis
sppointment was over. the Countess
gave vent to tho bittersst rage. The
wrstchsd little fool" she cried. II will
teach him that the love Of the Coantess
Vensl 10 not to be despissd. A peasant
pirl rivals me; he. hA. She may have
the pretty boy. but il will be only his
corpse that che can claim"
Shs shus herself in her chamber on
ples. Of cfindisposition. aud for several
days did uos appear in society. One
night when ell IN the palace were sleep.
ing che crypt softly TO Durkels room.
Yet not all in the palace slept. for Gun
fried. the faithful keeper, was or the
watch lest some sssAssin or iucendiary
should obtain On entrance He saw the
Countess, noted her strange movements.
and followed her 10 Durkel's chamber.
She held taper lamp in one hand
aud in the other she clutched a dagger.
just ~ she had raised her hand to
strike. dep voics cried:
.Hold,"
Il was Gunfried who thus providen-
tislly intssfered 10 save the life Of ths
young page.
Thus foilsd, the murdcroas woman
ned % her apartment. and shortly after
left the court. She afterwards married
Elssrd0. Spaaish prince.
buskel oarsietl his beloved 6retchsu
With Whom be lived very happily. occu-
pyine positions Of honor and trust in
the service OF King Gustave.