The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1897-03-26
In q reserved compartment by himself.'
1 The rector allayed the approximations

of the frightened station master. #
AT the dinner table he communicated
the observations Of the latter and of the
sexton to his astonished wife. The more
Importance of the mysterious stranger,
and his wife insisted that the Prince had
come to convey mOmentOus news to the
Count from the court. where the latter
was greatly liked. Even the usually
calm and collected rector finally agreed
that this unexpected journey on II New
Years morning must have been of CON
sequence. lie brought to mind again the
contents Of his sermon, but his con
science was clear and he could detect no
sentence, nor word, that might be CON
strued against the court or the reigninr
House. One thing only troubled him.
Had the Prince in the silver grey great
coat been messenger of peace or war
for their little borough?
When his official duties of the day had
been discharged the rector, accompanied
by his wife, paid the usual New Years
coll ut the castle to offer the compli-
ments of the season.
Though they tried hard to appear un-
concerned, the Count and his Countess
We're preoccupied. In spite of all efforts,
dictated by their innate delicacy of feel
ing, both would now and then show an
unusual Observation-Disclosures, nor were they
element: The Count would look through
the window toward the road leading to
the station, as though anxiously expect
ing something, and the Countess would
now and then stop in the middle of d
sentence or lose the thread of her CON
,versatlon and then try hard to collect
herself. Hosts and callers felt the awk-
ward ward situation. 1t was as though the
spirit OF the mysterious stranger was
present with them, clad in his ominous
silver'grey, great coat, putting to flight
their usual conviviality.
AT length the rector's wife could stand
this unnatural state of affairs no longer,
As 9nconcernedly as possible she asked:
rs 1t true, Countess. that YOU have had
visitor from the capital early this morn
ing?"
The Countess exchanged questioning
look with her husband before she replied:
mo, not /, at least the visit was paid
to the Count: but then-I DON'T
The Prince left you before luncheon:"
added the rector.
.r 1.-The e., Pr ri What Prince?" This
why, your caller, to be sure!''
The Count smiled his stereotyped
smile 81 "A Prince, my dear rector, YES,
If you please, a Prince, and one who
serves an all-powcrful, autocratc mis-
tress!''
perhaps an English nobleman,"
thought the rcctor's wife.
In fact" resumed the Count, ''his
serene hishness has done you more honor
than myself, rector. for he spent an en-
TIRE hour listening to your sermon, while
to me he gave but fifteen minutes"
Then l suppose owe it to you, Count.
that the Prince visited our little church
during his short stay?"
III You like, yes, rector. He asccr-
tanned accidentally from one of my serv-
ants that l would go to church, and. l
dare say, he also meant to set good ex-
ample. But. what is of more Importance.
your prince brought me good news, and
would gladly satisfy your curiosity
mot at all, not at all, gracious sir;
90 not misinterpret my query"
1T Is not that, rector. We would not
keep you waiting. were we not ourselves
still on the anxious seat, as it werc''
just then servant appeared, present
ing telegram to his master, who opened
and read it, handing it to the Countess.
AT last!' she exclaimed. after glanc-
that this gentleman-this prince. l beg
his pardon-should have heard of it be-
fore your father knew anything about
The rector and his wife were prepar-
ing to leave. They had no indicate
desire to impose their presence upon
the noble couple. perceiving there was 4
secret. Undoubtedly the stranger, hav-
ing in the meantime reached the capital
had sent that message.
"No, indeed" demonstrated the Count
''yOu stay right here. There is no more
necessity for secrecy if ever there was
any. My fathers telegram merely con-
firms the glad tidings which l had re-
ceived early this morning unotficially.
lainr'
"Permit us to offer our heartiest con-
gratulations," quickly exclaimed the rec
tor. '"The New Year begins suspicious
~ for yon, Count"
II ain highly honored," responded the
latter, ''and greatly pleased
'No doubt your new dignity has wor,
keep you from home good deal?"
II dare say, and the first among them
the important question. where to get the
required uniform for my immediate ap>
pearance at court, whittier 1 have been
ordered for an audience
II understand perfectly that such off,
cial dignities are not without their incon-
venient formalities that one has to put
up with. But the Prince -"
HAS called ON me just on account Of
this very chamberlain's uniform. He
must have left home in the middle of
the night to be, in time.'
did he really come for the sole pur~
pose of instructing you in the new cere>
monies to be observed by you? How
very considerate of him.
"He came solely on account of my new
uniform, I tell you. His aim was not
to be outdone by anybody else. Yes, very
kind of him"'
"Was he a messenger from court?''
'No, not exactly, my dear rector. He
came OH his own responsibility.
"But. Count, if may make so bold to
ask, who in the name of all that is mys-
FERROUS was this Prince of yours?"
Il will not keep you in suspense re-
piled the host. :'The mysterious stran-
ger has left his card behind. Here it
is"
The pastor took the elegant piece of
pasteboard and read aloud: ''Fridolin,
Tailor to the Court of *"-From
the German.
Valuable Secret.
OF the famous Oxford paper, the Lon
don Daily News gives the following
curious and doubtless authentic history: