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

snip III lull SAIL, dS sAiS AOiAVW~N NAN
diminutiye boy page into the royal
presence. She courtesied deeply, and
seemed to await, with trepidation, the
issue of the interview for which she
had asked
well, Frau Muller, and what do you
want" demanded Frederick, glaring
at his visitor,
Sire, Frau Lindsey has informed
me of your gracious intentions to-
wards me. | have come here today to
thank you; and to beg that"
"Well?"
Il am here today to request that
your majesty will be so good as to
forego your kind intentions on my be-
half, and to appoint the new court
chaplain yourself"
/ lis there never to be an end to this
subject? More fads, more objections
But, your majesty, to whom my
poor, dear Gottfried was known, can
not blame me for wishing to be faith
ful to his memory. 1t is only natural
\ that / should hesitate to replace him.
Indeed, | have no thoughts of marry
! ing again, and never could have"
Am | to be pestered by another
/ edition of this sentimental humbugt
cried the king. How, then, madam,
are you to be provided for?"
Your majesty is very good, but
do not ask to be provided for, having
sought and obtained post as house
keeper in Graf Lindesey's household"
so! And your niece, Christine
Duhne, what is to become of herr"
Frau Muller hesitated and put her
handkerchief to her eyes. "Oh the
dear child, | shall grieve to part with
her, being, as she is, all alone in the
world"
Well madam, for the sake of my
/ late court chaplain, and on account Of
/ the respect / bear his memory, | will
consent to put your niece in your place
I Fraulein Christine shall choose be-
i tween the three candidates, and the
man on whom her choice falls shall
/ become my court chaplain"
"Your majesty is a thousand times
too good. But my niece, Christine"
What now? More objections?"
''My niece has hitherto steadily re-
fused to change her condition. She
faithful for years to the memory of a
former lover"
"Ah! and who is her"
Il never saw him, your majesty.
Nor do l recall his name"
SOL" The king pondered, while
Frau Muller waited uneasily, anxious
to terminate the interview and to es-
cape.
Have your maiesty's permission
to retire."
Listen to me, madam. You will
/ do as before arranged You will see
that your niece is present But you
will not speak to her or to anyone
else of what has just now passed be-
tween us. Above, all the candidates
must be kept in entire ignorance"
Yes, your majesty; but"
mo compulsion will be placed on
either you or Frauleln Christine, If you
carry out my directions carefully"
The king rang his handbell.
"Reconduct Frau Muller. Her audi
ence is at an end" he said, sharply,
j to the page who answered the sum
mems.
Even if Frau Johanna Muller had
had the courage to disregard the kings
orders, there would have been scant
/ time for condolences
/ From early morn until the time
/ fixed Dame Johanna was hard at work
with the assistance of her stout hand
maid, Jetta, polishing the wainscotted
interior Of her reception room, rub
bling her carved chairs and tables, I'M
til they shone again, while Christine
was busy in the large, airy kitchen be-
low, preparing dainty cakes and bis
cults and fragrant coffee for the enter
tainment of the visitors.
They were introduced one by one, to
and we're introduced, one by one, to
their hostess by Count Lindsey, who
accompanied them. Herr Julius Meier
was 2 small, wiry man, with thin lips.
whose sharp glances took stock of the
widows worldly possessions, even while
addressing her in terms of extravagant
compliment. Herr Augustin Kranz
was tall and heavy, with a phlegmatic
countenance and small, half-closed
eyes, which rested with interest upon
the steaming coffee urn and the plates
OF delicate cakes. The third candidate
kept in the background. and silently
bowed In answer to Dame Johanna's
hospitable entreaty that he would come
nearer to the coffee tray.
Are we not to see Fraulein Chris
timer inquired Count Lindsey, even
as the door opened to admit the young
lady; and the count rose to present his
compliments to her in the German
style
My fraulein, permit that | present
to YOU the Very Rev. julius Meier, one
of the candidates for the post of court
chaplain; also the Rev. Augustin H1anz
and the Rev. Hans Sorel Indicating