The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-10-06

Ludwig. Prince of Glottenberg, came
counting the Princess Osra for his father
had sought the most beautiful lady of a
Royal House in Europe, and had found
none to equal Osra. Therefore, the
Prince came to Strelsau with great re-
tinue and was lodged in the White Pal
ace which stood on the outskirts Of the
city, where tie public gardens now are
flor the Palace itself was sacked and
burnt by the people in the rising OF
1848). Here Ludwig staid many days,
coming every day to the Kings palace to
pay his respects to the King and Queen,
and to make his court to the Prin-
cess. King Rudolf had received
him with the utmost friendship, and
was. for reasons of state then of
great moment, but now of vanished in
terest, as eager for the match as was the
King of Glottenberg himself, and he
grew very impatient with his sister when
she hesitated to accept Ludwig's hand,
alleging that she felt for him no more
than a kindly esteem and, what was as
much TO the purpose, that he felt no
more for her. For although the Prince
possessed most courteous and winning
ulduuEIC
both in learning and in exercises, yet he
was a grave and pensive young man,
rather stately than jovial, and seemed in
the Princess eyes accustomed as they
were to catch and check ardent glances)
to perform his Wooing more as duty OF
his station than on the impulse OF any
passion. Finding in herself also no such
sweet ashamed emotions as had before
now crossed her heart on account OF
lesser men, she grew grave and troubled;
and she said TO the King:
Brother, is this love2 For / had as
lief he were away as here, and when he
is here, and kisses my hand as though it
were statues hand; and-and feel as
though it were. They say you know
what love is. Is this love-
There are many forms of love"
smiled the King. This is such love as
a Prince and a Princess may most pro-
perly feel"
81 do not call it love at all" said Osra
with pout.
When Prince Ludwig came next day
to see her and told her with grave cour-
tesy, that his pleasure lay in doing her
will, she broke out:
II had rather it lay IN watching my
face and then ashamed she turned away
from him.
He seemed grieyed, and hurt at her
words; and it was with a sigh that he
said: my life shall be given to giving
You JOY"
She turned round on him with flushed
cheek and trembling lips.
Eyes, but had rather it were spent
in getting joy from me-"
He cast down his eyes for moment
and then, taking her hand, kissed it, but
she drew it away sharply, and SO that af-
ternoon they parted, he back to his
palace, she to her chamber, where she
sat, asking again, ''Is this lover and
crying, He does not know love-" and
passing now and again, before her mir
ror, to ask her pictured face why it
would not unlock the door of love.
On another day she would be merry,
or feign merriment, rallying him on his
somber air and formal compliments, pro
Tossing that for her part she soon grew
weary of such wooing and loved to be
easy and merry; for thus she hoped to
sting him, so that he would either dis
close more warmth or forsake altogether
his pursuit. But he made many apollo
gies, blaming nature that had made him
grave, but assuring her of his deep affec
ton and respect.
affection and respectr' murmured
Osra, with little toss of her head. Oh,
that | had not been born a Princess!o
And yet, though she did not love him,
she thought him very noble gentleman
and trusted to bis honor and sincerity in
everything. Therefore, when he still
persisted and Rudolf and the Queen urg
ed her, telling her (the King mockingly,
the Queen with touch of sadness) that
she must not look to find in this world
such love as romantic girls dreamt of, at
last she yielded, and she told her brother
that she would marry Prince Ludwig;
yet for little while she would not have
the news proclaimed. So Rudolf went,
alone and privately, to the White Palace
and said to Ludwig:
"Cousin, you have won the fairest
lady in .he world. Behold, her brother
says it p
Prince Ludwig bowed low, and, TAX
ing Inc Mug manu- pfcSSeu IL, ludukiuS
him for his help and approval, and ex-
pressing himself as most grateful for the
boon of the Princess favor.
''And will you come with me and
find her r. cried the King with merry
look.
Il have urgent business now" an
swered Ludwig. beg the Princess to
forgive me. This afternoon | will crave
the honor Of waiting on her with my
humble gratitude. +"
King Rudolf looked at him, a smile
curling on his lips; and he said, in one
of his gusts of impatiehce.
"By heaven, is there another man in
the world who would talk of gratitude,
and business, and the afternoon when
Osra of Strelsau sat waiting for him ~
81 mean no discourtesy," protested
Ludwig, taking the Kings arm and
glancing at him with most friendly
eyes. Indeed, dear friend, / am re
Jo:ced and honored. But this business
of mine will not wait.
So the King, frowning, and grumb