The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-09-08

Captain Earnest had a friend, d str! }.
tor, who had modelled bust OF the XII &
and from him he had procured a wax mask
beautifully colored, and 50 we'll executed
as to deceive the eyes Of the bafohess TO,
the moment they rested on it. Ernest
satisfied with his success, replaced hie
black velvet visor, and continued the inter.
!! view.
! Eyes, baroness" whispered the disguis-
cd aid-de- camp. 1T is Ionis who stands
before ycn--not as your king, but as you,
subject, your slave-the thra|l of your
An, sirel" replied the::belle of Munich.
you are sporting with the sensibilities OF
q weak woman"
''No. by heaven" replied the false king.
II am incapable of that. Behold me at you,
feet. and hear me swear eternal allegiance
to your charms"
RISE, Sire!' said the baroness, very
much irritated. 1--WE may be seen or over.
heard"
"Lopg have i thought" continued the
! falte king, "that beauty such as yours
should grace a throne"
"A throne!" echoed the ba. oness.
But you are right" he continued, hur-
! riedly: "this is no time or place for con-
| fdence like ours. Hark! the clock is strik
| ing twelve. Will you trust to my honor,
and meet me at this hour to- morrow
night"
"Where, sire?"
I'm the Chinese pavilion in the garden
| of. the palace The wicket Of the postern
ga.s that leads to the door of the pavilion
shall be left open for you"
The baroness gave him her hand.
Tomorrow night at twelve!" said she,
and glided from the room.
"Oh, woman! woman! woman!" said Ern-
est, when alone-"fa as fair! Is it for
this we rank you with the angels?' But
| tremble, faithless one-your punishment
shall be as bitter as the agony suffer-"
And he followed the baroness into the
| dancing saloon. He had no sooner left
the room than masked figure stole forth
from beneath mass of crimson drapery.
The Chinese pavilion Tomorrow night
| at twelve!" said the stranger. .Bratol
! bravo! Captain Won Btelhberg!'
And he. too, vanished.
A few minutes before IL o'clock On tic
following night, Captain Won Stelnbere,
wearing his wax mask, unlocked and en-
tered the Chinese pavilion in the rayel
garden. The inside shutters were closed;
so that he vehtured to produce match;
and light taper, taking care to PLACE shade
over it. so that the room should be very
dimly lighted. after completing arrange
mehts, he glanced around, and started on
seeing the figure of man near the table.
The stranger was dressed in the uniform of
an aid-de- camp, and wore mask upon
his face,
sWho are your" demanded Ernest, ad-
vancing to the intruder.
"You have anticipated a similar cues
ton. replied the mask:
Esrnest.
so have T.. was tbs qniet answer.
Sir" raid Ernest, placing his hand on
the hilt of his saber, Il wear sword"
$50 do I, replied the mask; but I re-
serve it for the enemies Of my country"
"Who are you? I implcre you to tell
me-" said Ernest.
"Ah, now you speak in different man.
ner. I, sir, am Captain Won Steinhurg, at
your service, aid de. camp to dis Majesty
King Louis Of Bavaria"
"The deuce you are?" thought Ernest.
bat, confidence for confidence" said the
iropostor. "Now you must tell me who you
roy&l pavilion at this hour"
by the verX best in the world" replied
Ernest, boldly. II, sir, am King Louis Of
Bavaria" and he lifted his outward mask,
displaying the features of the king.
"Paidon NE, sire" said the stranger,
falling on his knees: ''but making nv
rounds in the garden. found the postern
gate unlocked, and fearing 1seachery to
your royal person, dseined it nv duty to
keep wa Itch in the pavilion, OF which, as
your majesty is aware; I have duplicate
key"
"Zounds, man! you haven't locked the
postern, have you?" asked thu pretended
king.
NO, sire; it remains as I found it.
"Then, my good fellow, there is no harm
done," said Ernst. "And I'll tell YOU q
secret; 1expect lady here eve9y instant,
who has accorded me private interview.
The best service you can render me-is to
| leave me to myself.
"A hint from your royal lips is COM
mand," said the pretended Ernest. @That
your majesty's suit may prosper is the
| warmest wish Of YOUR devoted subject"
The straneer vanished.
Before Ernest had an opportunity to frame
any hypothesis with regard to this mysteri
| Gus being, the door opened cautiously and
! admitted tho harohesi. She threw herself
at once at the feet of Ernest.
"Rjse, lady" said the pretended monarch.
II would rather be at your feet-rise"
mot, said the baroness, 'ill your ma
| jesty pledges your royal word to pardon me
| in I'D vance for whatever may confess"
~ freely pledge you that" aaid Ernest,
aiding the lady to rise.
Know then" said the baroness, athat
am an ungrateful woman. Your majesty
distinguished me last night, and held
out hopes SO brilliant that q sub
| ject might we'll be dasz'ed by your promise.
was dazzled, and I heard you with pleas
ure. But it was only momentary weak
ness. In the delirium of the dance you told
me that you loved me-my consent to meet
yon here seemed confession of reciprocal
affection; but, in truth. my heart is given to
| another. love-l love with all the fefvo1
of my being-not a monarch but subject. u
His name?"
Promise that you will not harm him,
SIRE"
Il make no promise in such case as
this"
"Ihen I shall keep my secret" said the
baroness, firmly.
'And you will love this man-even If
l command you to tear his image from
your hearth
Il love him and him only" said the bar
oness. I'm good report and evil report
in sorrow and sickness-in shame and hon
or. Truly pledged him my hand-my
heart went with it. am his forever"
And he is thine, dear Anna!' said En-
nest. tearing off his disguise. "Wiu You
forgive the trial I have subjected you tor
will you you forgive the weakness of a
moment that made me listen to tempta-
tion?" -,sr, ,.~> -
Freely and fully" said Ernest, folding
the baroness in his arms. "And now: when
shall we be marIicd?"
TO- night said voice behind them.
And there stood the king Of Bavaria. bat
still in the. uniform of an aid-de-camp in
which he had entered the pavilion That
evening and first encountered Ernest. he
it was who had overheard the appointment
at the masquerade. "Jc.night,'r he Re-
peated, smiling on his aston:
ished auditors. = The = chapel is
lighted up-the priests are in waiting
wedding guests are there, and the wedding