New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1885-02-25

y, FEBRu AIRY 26,
thusiasm, especially when he discover
ed that the young folks themselves were
fond of each other.
The King then delicately insinuatcd
TO his daughter that, if she had taken a
liking to the Grand Dake, and had .rea-
son to believe that the Prince entertain
ed similar feelings toward her. their
marriage would meet with no objection
on his part z
But the young Princess, although Sc
cretly delig GIFTED in a hope which fully
responded to the secret wishes of her
heart, was either too proud or too bash.
ful to confess to her father her love for
the Grand Duke, who had not yet made
any declaration to her.
In this manner the day approached
on which the Grand Duke was to leave
Berlin. On the eve of his departure q
grand gala supper was given in bis
honor, at the royal palace. and. by the
way of accident or policy. the young
Princess Charlotte was seated by tile
side Of her distinguished admirer. Is
The Grand Duke was uncommonly
taciturn during the evening. His fore.
head was clouded, and his gloomy eyes
seemed to follow in space vague phxn.
toms fitting before his Imagination.
| Repeatedly he neglected to reply to
questions addressed to him; and when
he was asked to respond to 9 toast
which one of the royal Princes had pro-
posed to his honor, be seemed to awake
from . profound dream which had en-
tirely Withdrawn him from his sur
roundings.
Suddenly, as il by mighty effort Of
his will, he turned to his fair neighbor
and whispered, SO as only to be under
stood by her:
80 l shall leave Berlin to-mor-
row.
He paused abruptly and looked at the
Princess, rs II he were waiting for an
answer which expressed sorrow and
grief on her part. But the Princess was
fully as proud as the Grand Duke, and,
overcoming the violent threbbing Of
her heart, she said politely to him:
1--WE are all very sorry to zee Your
Imperial Highness leave us so soon.
Would it not have been possible for you
to defer your departurep'
''You will all be very sorry?" NUT
tered the Grand Duke, not entirely sat
isfied by the vagueness of sorrow which
these words Of the Princess implied.
''But you in particular, madam" he
added, after some hesitation; 'for it
will depend on you alone whether l
| shall sfav here mr. danart
| "Ah!' replied Charlotte, with her
sweetest smile; land what have l to
do to keep Your Imperial Highness
here?'
''You must permit me to. address my
admiration and homage to YOU"
lis that all?'
''And you must encourage me to
please you"
THAT is much more difficult" said
the Princess, with deep blush, but at
the same time her eyes beamed forth so
much affection and delight that the
Prince could see at glance that his
fondest hopes had been realized before
hand.
During my short stay at Berlin, the
Grand Duke continued, in the same
tone of voice, II have taken pains to
study your character and your affec-
tions;i and this study has satisfied me
that you would render me happy; while
on the other hand, have qualities
which would secure your own happi.
ness"
The Princess was overcome by emo.
ton, and in her confusion did no,
know what to answer At last she
said:
| ''But here, in the presence of the
whole court, at the public table, you
put such question to me!'
| "Oh" replied the Prince, "you need
not make any verbal reply. 1t will be
sufficient for you to give me some
pledge of your affection. Isee there or
! your hand a small ring. whose posses
sion would make me very happy. Give
it to meP
! ..'What do you think of? Here, IL
the presence OF hundred specta
torsp"
.Ah, it can be easily dono without
being seen by anybody. Now we ar.
chatting so quietly with each Other
there is not one among the guests who
suspects in the least what we are speak
ing about; press the ring into morse
Of bread and leave it on the table.
will take the talisman and nobody viii
notice it.
"The ring is really talisman.''
II expected so. May l hope to heal
Its history2''
"Why notp Ny first governess wa,
a Swiss lady by the name Of Wilder
matt. Once she went to Switzerland tt
enter upon an inheritance which hac
been bequeathed to her by distan
relative. When she came back to Der
lin q few weeks afterward, she SHOWED
me quite collection of pretty ant
costly jewelry, which formed part o
the inheritance. This is curiou
ring said l to her as I put this littl,
old-fashioned ring on my finger. Doe
it not look queer and cunningp Per
haps it is an old relic or talisman, an.
may have been worn centuries ago b,
a pious lady who had received it from
her knight, starting for the Holy Land.
I tried to take the ring from my finge
again. but could not get it off; for
was little tleshier then than now,
said Charlotte, smilingly. my gov
erness insisted on my keeping tn
ring as souvenir. l accepted tn
present, and the ring has been on M,
finger ever since. Some time after
ward, when 1w:s contemplating it
strange workmanship, succeeded II
pulling it from my finger, and wa
much surprised at seeing engraved Of
the inside some words. which, though
nearly rubbed out BY the wear Of time
were still legible. Now, Your 1mperia
Highness, what do you think were tn
words engraved upon ite ! think whel
you hear them you will take some in
terest in the ring"