Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-09-09
Although Euueurnrde he'd been odu-

her tastes and duties sne was not only
mistress OF the head forester's house,
but a guardian angel to the poor and
last. but not least, passionate musician
and devotee OF Schiller and Goethe.
The wintry hours passed sll too quickly.
On the second morning after that
forest dance what was her astonishment
10 see the King ride up! He had
promised TO come, it is true, but few
hours before her father had been sum
moned TO meet him in another part OF
the island. She supposed him TO be
miles away. She was watering her
flowers, not wholly with unconcern, yet
not without some futtering OF the heart
as she recalled the incidents of the last
few DAYS. when a couple OF horsemen
stopped at the gate, the foremost threw
the reins to the other, and she recognized
him at once.
"Pardon me, Fraulein," he said, af-
fecting an easy tone in the hearing OF
the attendant ; 81 parted company with
your respected father an hour ago, and
be gave me leave to call here and ask for
some refreshment. The rest of my
party are RECALLING at the little restaurant
by the shore. Have your permission
TO enter?"
Ermenearde turned from red to pale.
She saw through the device. BE had
hit upon this expedient for bidding her
farewell.
She bowed low and tried to get ont a
word Of welcome. but speech stayed on
her trembling lips. 1t was as II she
were under spell.
The little household was busy in the
havfield. She suddenly remembered
that there was no one TO wait upon her
rovd guest but herself. As she had done
two DAYS before, she now began to set
before him the best the lsrder afforded.
"Once more, pardon me, he said, 81
have not, indeed, come merely to eat
and drink, although a morsel of bread
and glass of water will be acceptable.
But really came because L had some
thing to say to you.
He looked ct her penetratingly, as if
fsin to read her Utmost thoughts.
"Tell me-" BIO sail, care You happy
here? This island, so remote, so cut of
from the world, is surely no sphere for
you"
81 have my father" was the proud yet
faltering reply, "and many friends, be-
sides home duties. "
81 have been plotting and making
plans on your behalf" he went on with
en- affectation of gayety-she could see
all tho time that he Was anxious and i'll
ut ease-"a and limited my views TO tue
head forester inst now. He is more am
bilious for Won than you are for yourself.
With his full, consent would you quit
this island for a time?"
FrmenQatde looked bewildered and
irresponslve. He continued "In my
mother you would find sure friend
and protector. Your father could have
no misgivings about your welfare. Say,
then. that you will at least make the ex-
pertinent ; that you will grace our Court
if only for year.
"a You would be free to 60 or stay as
you pleased, " he urged. GAS one OF the
ladies' attached to my mothers house
hold. YOU would be sntirely independent.
You can have no plausible objection to
make"
But tho look of doubt in Ermen-
garde's face had given away to positive
negation. The more persuasive be be-
came the further she drew back.
care such friendships as ours made
every day 2" he said at last. "At least,
let me have the privilege OF seeing you
from time to time. "
my friend was the Kings messenger,
not the King" was the sad reply. To
him the head foresters daughter must
henceforth remain stranger.
what is my position that it should
thus repel you 2" he said. ." | remain
myself. Yet you are right. This crown,
tins hateful crown, divides us. / am no
longer free to love "
She had OWNED his secret already,
and had he not her own too ? All her
courage vanished on a sudden. She sat
as one stricken by evil fortune.
1--WE were drawn to each other from
the first" he went on, now using the
passionate language of an svowed lover,
speaking in low, quick undertOnes.
'Oh, Ermengarde, instead OF enticing
you from your island, could l but share
It with you, could l linking myself for
your sake b"
LET us not think of ourselves" she
murmured. "You are called to play a
great part. You will have no time for
vain regrets, and - checking her tears,
she went OH will try to forget the
Kings messenger and from q distance
follow the Kings career. IL noble, if
worthy of him, [ shall be consoled."
"Can any human being live nobly
without happiness he answered re-
senting alike his good and evil fortune,
feeling all his words alike empty Of
meaning.
"Self-sought happiness is not always
the best" she said gently. You,
least Of all, can afford to 1--we for your
self"
81 am young. 1t is hard to learn
such lessons so soon, ;" he replied, almost
boyishly resentful and Respondent
The glory OF summer lay around the
earth. They were in the summer Of life,
yet weight Of despair lay on their
young hearts.
"Bid me farewell and go away" Err
mengarde said, feeling unable to bear
this tension of feeling any longer. 1--WE
can do each other no good.
She had hitherto sought to soothe and
inspirit him but now alike her helpless
ness and love had spoken. He sprang
to her side, moved by desperate deci-
sion.
"You love me !" he whispered.
"Then away with this crown Be
another's this uncoveted kingdom, for L
am not entirely a slave. / can abdicate.
Say the word, and | will be nothing
elso-yours, yours only"
She shook her head, smiling through
her tears
but it can, it shall be, he added.
"What do 1 care for mems scorn or
for the good opinion OF the great !?
Should not a man choose for himself
where his whole happiness is concerned I?
Kings have abdicated before now. A
few days gossip, and the world will for
get my existence.
These wild words, vrung in all sim
Gently from the depth of his passion, only
moved Ermengarde so far. She was