The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-09-08
before you-not as your king, but as your
subject, your slave-the hrall Of your

OeIOre y0u-not as your king, but az you
subject, your slave-the thral Of your
4Ah, sire!" replied he::belle 81 Munich i,
you are sporting with the sensibilities Of
9 weak woman"
mo, BY heaven!' replied the false king,
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. "We may be seen OF over
heard"
1Long have I Thought" continued the
false king, s'sthat beauty such as yours
should grace q throne"
throne!" echoed the b .oness.
But you are right, " he continued, hur-
riedly: this is no time or place for con-
idence like ours. Hark! the clock is strik-
ing twelve, Will you trust to my honor,
and meet me at this hour tomorrow
nieht?"
Where, sire?
I'm the Chinese pavilion in the garden
of the palace. The wicket Of the postern
gate 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.
ooh, woman! woman! woman!" said Ern-
est, when alone-false as fair! Is it for
this we rank you with the angels? But
trsmble, faithless one-your punishment
shall be as bitter as the agony I suffer-"
And he followed the baroness into the
dancing-saloon. He had no sooner left
the room than a masked figure stole forth
from beneath a mass Of crimson drapery.
The Chinese pavilion Tomorrow night
at twelve!" said the stranger. Bravo!
bravo! Captain Won Stelnberg!'
And he, too, vanished.
few minutes before ~ o'clock on the
following night, Captain Won S~telnberg,
wearing his wax mask, UNLOCKED and en-
tered the Chinese pavilion in the royal
garden. The inside shutters were closed,
SO that he ventured to produce a match,
and Light taper, taking care to place a.shade
over it, SO that the room should be very
dimly lighted. After completing arrange
ments, he glanced around, and started on
seeing the figure Of a man near the table.
The stranger was dressed in the uniform of
an aid-de-camp, and wore a mask upon
his face.
4Who are your" demanded Ernest, adj
vancing to the intruder.
aYou have anticipated a similar cues
tion." repliedthe mask.
But I have q right to know" said
Esrnest.
$50 have L" was the quiet answer.
"Sir," raid Ernest, placing his hand on
the hilt Of his saber, II wear a sword"
So do I" replied the mask; but I re-
serve it for the enemies of my country"
"Who are you? I implore you to tell
me, " said Ernest. se.
All, now you speak ina different nam
ner. L, sir, am Captain Won Steinburg, at
your service, aid-de-camp to His Majesty
King Louis of Bavaria" @ +
"The deuce you are?" thought Ernest. Z
But, confidence for confidence" saidthe
impostor. "Now you must tell me who you
are, and by what right I find you in the
royal pavilion at this hour"
by the very best in the world, replied
Ernest, boldly. Il, sir, am King Louis of
Bavaria, y and he lifted his outward mask,
displaying the features of the king.
Pardon me, SIRE" said the stranger,
on his knees: ''but making my
rounds in the garden. I found the postern
gate unlocked, and fearing treachery to
your royal person, deemed it my duty to
keep watch in the pavilion, of which, as
your majesty is aware, I have a duplicate
POUNDS, man! you haven't locked the
p~ostern, have You?" asked the pretended
king:
mo, sire; it remains as I found it.
"Then, my good fellow, there is no harm
done, said Ernst. .And I'll tell you a
secret; Iexpect a lady here every instant,
who has accorded me q private interview.
The best service you can render me-is to-
leave me to myself. 4
vi " Afhfp1k $uo~,of -~,,~ =, lS~oy & - I
said the pretended Ernest. THAT
warmest wish of your devoted subject
The stranger vanished.
Before Ernest had an opportunity to frame
any hypothesis with regard to this .mysteri.
being, the door opened cautiously and
admitted the baroness. She threw herself
at once at d feet Of Ernest.
Rise, lady!' said the pretended monarch.
II would rather be at your feet-risel"
"Not," said the baroness, till your ma
jesty pledges your royal word to pardon me
in advance for whatever / may confess"
81 freely pledge you that" aaid Ernest,
the LADY, to rise. "
Know then" said the baroness, shat I
an ungrateful woman. Your majesty
me last night, and held
out hopes SO brilliant that a sub
ject might well be dazz'ed by your promise.
| was dazzled, and I heard you with pleas
ure. But it was onlya momentary weak
ness. In the delirium Of the dance you told
me that you loved me-my consent to meet
you here seemed a confession of reciprocal
affection; but, in truth. my heart is given to
another. Ilove-I love with all the fervor
of my being-not q monarch but a. subject."
"a rival" said the pretended king ,%sternly,
His name?"
Promise that you will not harm him,
SIRE" q .gg J, IA,
IT make no promise in such a case as
this"
"Then ] shah keep my secret" said the
baroness, firmly. z
"And you will love this man-even IL
l command you to tear his image from
your hearth
It love him and him only" said the bar
oness. In good report and evil report
IN sorrow and sickness-in shame and hon
or. Truly I pledged him my hand-my
heart went with it. ] am his forever"
And helis thine, dear Anna!' said Err
nest, tearing off his disguise. .'Wil you
the trial I hive subjected you tor"
Will you you forgive the weakness Of a
moment that made me listen to tempta-
Freely and fully, . said Ernest. folding
the baroness in his arms. ssAnd now, when