Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1881-12-17
but | have right to know" said

but | have right to know" said
Ernest.
$50 have l." was the quiet answer.
"Slr, said Ernest, placing his hand
ON the hilt of his saber, II wear
sword"
$50 do l, I" replied the mask; "but I
reserve 1t for the enemies of my coun-
try.
s'Iell me who you are, I implore you.r
An, now You speak in different
manner. |, sir, am Captain Won Stein
berg, at your service, aid-de-camp to his
Majesty King Louis of Bavaria"
"Ihe deuce you are!" thought Err
nest.
''But, confidence for confidence, :"
said the impostcr. "Now, you must
tell me who you are and by what right
/ find YOU in the pavilion at this hour. :"
''By the very best right in the world, :"
replied Ernest, boldly. 81, sir, am
King Louis of Bavaria" and he lifted
his outward mask displaying the fea-
lures of the king.
pardon me. sire," said the stranger
falling on his knees, "but making my
rounds in the garden, I found the pos
tern gate unlocked, and fearing treach-
cry to your royal person, deemed it my
| duty to keep watch in the pavilion, Of
which, as your majesty is aware, have
duplicate key"
the postern, have you p asked the pre-
tended king.
"No, sire; it remains as I found it. ="
''Then, my good fellow, there is nc
harm done," said Ernest. "And I'll
tell you secret. I expect lady here
every instant, who has accorded me 6
| private interview The best service yor
can render me-is to leave me to my
SELF"
"a hint from yo1ar royal lips is com
mand," said the pretended Ernest
That your Majesty's suit may prospel
is the warmest wish of your most de
| voted subject
! The stranger vanished.
Before Ernest had on opportunity tt
frame any hypothesis with regard t.
this mysterious being, the door opened
cautiously and admitted the baroness
She threw herself at once at the feet o
Ernest. !
"Rise, lady!" said the pretended mon
arch. I would rather be at your feet
rise!"
"Not," said the baroness, till you
majesty pledges your royal word to par
don me in advance for whatever I may
confess.
81 freely pledge you that" said Ef
nest aiding the lady to rise.
"Know then" said the baroness, tha
[ am an ungrateful woman. You
majesty distinguished me last night, ant
ject might well be dazzled by you
promise. I was dazzled and I hear,
with pleasure. But it was only a mo
mentary weakness. In the delirium Of tn
dance you told me that you loved me
my consent to meet you here seemed .
confession of reciprocal affection; but il
truth my heart is given to another.
love-I love with all the fervor of M,
being-not monarch, but subject. ;"
"a riyal.' said the pretended king
sternly. "His name?"
'Promise that you will not harm him
SIRE"
II make no promise in such case a
this.
i "Then I shall keep my secret" sai'
the baroness, firmly.
"And you will love this man-even
command you to tear his image iron
your heart?"
II love him and him only" said th
baroness. ''In good report and evil re
port-in sorrow and sickness-in sham
and honor. Truly I pledged him IN
hand-my heart went with it. am hi
forever"
"And he is thine, dear Anna!" sal
Ernest, tearing off his disguise. ''Wi
yoa forgive the trial that I have sui
iected you to?"
"Win you forgive the weakness Of
moment that made me listen to tempt,
: tion?"
"Freely and fully said Ernest, fol(
ing the baroness i'll his arms "An
now, when shall we be married?'
''To-night' said voice behind then
And there stood the King of Bavari
but still in the uniform of an aid-d
camp in which he had entered the paw
1 ion that evening and first encountere
Ernest. He it was who had overheal
the appointment at the masquerad
$ Tonight, he repeated. smiling on h
2 astonished auditors. The chapel
: lighted up; the priests are i'll waitin
| the wedding guests are there, and Il
feast prepared. Louis of Bavaria wal
e to conduct you to the altar, and TO 81
away the bride And may the pleasur
q of this carnival be bst the precursors
h a life joy.''
The delight of the lovers; the JOY
y Lisette; the surprise and pleasure of 8
e their family, must be left to the imag
u nation.