The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-07-08

N'PAV COatu1u0 attXuCtc0
the gaze and called up the astonishment
Of the assembled multitude Mnrm,,rs
upon murmurs rose all around, but still
Car! kept advancing. He was ignorant
OF the storm then gathering and had
proceeded us far as tho door of the hall
OF auo1ehce When the officer i'll waiting
demanded ms name and business. He
was ABOUT to reply when, catching
glance OF Christine, his enthusiasm
knew no bounds, and pushing the officer
aside he rushed into the royal presence,
selzed the hand which ut that moment
was extended to the president of the
senate ana pressed it to his lips.
AT sight of Carl and his holiness
Chrlstlne uttered a scream and with
drew her hand, while hundred arms
were III moment raised to chastise the
peasant Slave who had insulted the
officer and aspired to an honor reserved
but for the titled and the rich. And
such was the crime for which he was
thus dlseraced-a crime arising from
his ignorance and which merited not so
lgnomlnious punishment.
When the last blow had fallen, he
bounded from the hands of the guards,
and casting his eyes toward the palace
exclaimed, Il swear before God, Chris
tine, that day will come when shall
kiss thy royal hand" Then, regarding
his punisher with n look of fcrocity, he
dashed wildly through tho crowd.
The next day the miner had quilted
Stockholm, but he was never again
heard of at Norberg.
Five years after this two prisoners,
the one Young man of some six and
twenty years, accused of robbery, the
other the head of q band of highway
men, together confined i'll dungeon of
the fort of fredericksburg, were thus
conversing-
"Ah," said the young man, "wbat l
regret most Is that shall never again
behold her love-
Child" replied the robber, Gin a
few years thou wilt bo liberated. Do
not despair, for if she thou lowest is
really faithful you may yet be happy.
Listen. Our young and beautiful queen
once ordered Is blows to be admins
tered to the shoulders of IL poor fellow
who, struckwith an unconQuerable pas
sion for her, dared to respectfully press
his coarse lips to her dainty fingers, and
for which le was disgraced as if he had
committed crime of the most daring
character. But he sworo before God
tnat n day would arrive when the hand
which had been refused him should be
pressed to his lips and the mouth which
commanded his punishment would sue
to him for mercy.
THAT day so much desired seemed as
If 1T would never arrive, but it came mt
last. 1t was during the chase when the
queen Ill her ardor became separated
from her companions and she found
herself alone i'll tho middle of deep
forest. Suddenly sho was surrounded
by band of robbers, who seized her
courser, ignorant Of her quality Re
spect me! she cried. I am Your uueeur
The words fell like Lightning on nv
heart The hour of rotribution had ar
rived. Look OH me, said. DO Won
not remember me? am Carl, the poor
miner who once presumed to kiss thy
pretty hand, and for which you ordered
him TO be scourged i'll the fnco of all
Stockholm Oh thy natal day, but swore
before God that day would arrive
when L should press it to my lips. 1t
hho hiIiNct, anu lily OdtD SHALL NOW be
accomplished. 1 advanced toward her,
but my heart failed me, and wcpt like
child.
PROSTATE thyself, said she, recov-
oring her wonted dignity and courage
Those whom 1 permit to salute my
hand must approach on Bonded knee.
She extended to me her hand, and
kneeling 1 pressed it TO my lips, proud
and happy that had fulfilled my oath
departed, first having conducted her to
the right path. Tho next day 1 and nv
companions We're surprised and taken
But, never mind-I still hold it as a
truth, for experience has proved it, that
i'll love we should never despair. There
is always favorable moment, and all
that is necessary is to be watchful, and
when 1t does arrive to permit it not to
escape us. Do not despair. 1 hope vet
to see many happy hours.
The jailer opened the door of the pris.
on and pronounced the name of Carl.
Along. my lad!" cried he TO the
prisoner.
Carl was about to reply, bnt was pre-
vented by the keeper continuing:
Hush! 1t is useless. The gallows is
ready, and the executioner awaits YOU. "