Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-10-08
FIRST

death of Pastor Muller, who had filled
the position for many years. In con.
sequence the king was called upon tc
do two things; to choose new court
chaplain and TO provide suitably fol-
the widow of the late incumbent.
THE three candidates, whom have
selected, among many others, to COM
pete for the vacant post of court chap
lain shall present themselves on next
Thursday at the house of Frau Pastor
in Muller said the king to his Eng
fish equerry, Graf Lindsey, Il will
concede to her that she shall be pri-
vileged between the three TO choose
Have the candidates themselves beer
informed of this condition."
YES, your majesty They have
been told that the new court chaplain
will be expected, as a condition to his
appointment, to marry the widow Of
the late incumbent Two of the can
iidates-the Rev julius Meier and the
Rev. Augustus Kranz-have expressed
themselves as prepared to obey your
majesty. But the third-the Rev. Hans
Sorel--"
All! what has he to say?"
He waits without and has desired
an audience of your majesty"
He is the best preacher of the three.
Let him enter, said the king,
The door opened TO admit man of
4 grave and scholarly appearance, with
a slight stoop, and Thoughtful, care
worn expression. He approached the
king without any appearance of en-
i barrassment, and, bowling deeply,
waited to be addressed.
What brings him here?" demanded
the king, abruptly Git was Frederick $
usual custom to address his subjects in
the third person.. He has demanded
from me an interview"
Yes, your majesty. / have to thank
YOU for the great favor which you
have shown me in nominating me as
enc of the candidates for the vacant
post Of court chaplain, and to request
that l may be permitted to withdraw
from the competition"
ITO withdraw from the competition
Has the man lost his wits?"
There are reasons, your majesty.
Reasons for refusing lucrative
and an honorable appointment"
There is a condition attached"
"Ah! So! He presumes to object to
my decision. But am obliged to pro-
| vide for the widow of the late court
! chaplain"
Certainly, your majesty"
And the Frau Pastorin Muller is an
excellent woman and good house
wife"
yes, truly, your majesty | have
: nothing to say against her.
The king bent his brows, and looked
at his contumacious subject angrily
rs he, perchance, married already?
he asked sternly.
mot so, your majesty"
:. 'Betrothed, them"
Hans Sorel hesitated 81 was-years
ago"
"Ah! Sor' The kings face softened.
There had been a time-in the youth
of the Prussian soldiar-king- his
love for his beautiful English cousin,
the daughter of George H., bad been
the guiding impulse of his life. State
policy had interfered; but his intimate
friends knew that Frederick had never
4 recovered from this disappointment,
which had completely changed his
\ character and irrevocably influenced
\ his career.
4 II was an old story now; but Fred
erick had not entirely forgotten his
youth or his lost hopes.
I I'VE of the house Of Hohenzollern
must keep our word" he said, in a
softened tone. THE Pastorin Muller
must be the wife of the new incum-
bent but you shall be permitted to
withdraw" he added, changing his
mode of address ari speaking genially
and in tone of respect. 81 shall have
care for your future and you will
be at liberty to marry whom you
please. Who is she?"
Your majesty is very good, but for
me such things are over and past. 1t
is years since l have seen or heard of
Christine Duhne.''
christine Duhnel' the king was
about to speak impetuously; but he
checked himself. He looked grave for
moment and seemed to think deeply.
Then he half smiled, and with a twin
kle in his usually cold and severe eyes
OF the true German steel blue, he con-
tinued
But, bethink yourself, Herr Candi-
date! Are you quite prepared to sac
rifice your worldly interests? Your
chance of immediate preferment? This
Christine Duhne msy have forgotten
you years ago, and the Frau Muller is
very worthy woman.
"You shall at all events, see her be-
fore you decide. Nonsense. man" he
added roughly. as Pastor Sorel was
about to attempt some remonstranee.
Have / not told you that she is to
choose between you? How can you
tell that her choice will fall upon you.