The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-01-09
THE
GRAND
DUCHESS.

and SO, my lords" she exclaimed
you have dared to hold Z meeting
without my knowledge. Do you forget
that came of age this morning7"
The Herr Cancellarius Won srumm-
Eaupf interrupted with a smiIe-the
kind Of smile which one displays when
youth is to be humored. Your Serene
Highness," he said, 1T was precisely
for that reason that this meeting was
called and called, as you obserYe'with-
cut your knowledge
The other members OF the council
breathed more freely.
The Grand Duchess advanced TO tne
council board and sank gracefully into
Inc emnty armchair at its head-the
chair reserved for Sondecburg- Wai9
STEMS monarch Fraulein Won Gniu.
liz. her maid Of honor. accepted seat
offered by the secretary, Morelll'
you will do me the favor; Herr
Canreiiarftis," said the Grand bucheSs'
"of explaining yourself.
The chancellor BIT hts lips. IL was
something new for him 70 oe called on
for explanations-for him VINO h ia5
been during ten years the uhulspu t'.i
antorrat OF the Grand Duchy. But the
snooifei v,as in her rights. That very
nnorninp she had attained her legal
majority. She was the sovereign, he the
MADAME" he said, "the explanation
Is easy. You are now Of age. There Is
no heir 10 the throne. The people con-
fidentIy expect you to marry ana pre-
sent them with one. We were met to-
day upon a delicate mission-a mission
which could best be carried out IN your
absence. In plain language, we were
met to select for Your Serene Highness
"a suitable consort.
There was an ominouS hash IN the
Grand Duchesss eyes.
You are very kind, my lords" said
the grand duchess, ito take these little
details out Of my hands. Nat
urally. a sovereign does not care TO
haue any voice In the choice OF her
The prlvy councillors began to look
uncomfortable again. Won Brumm-
kaupf scowled.
perhaps" continued Sonderburg-.
waldstein's ruler the secretary VIII
hr good enough 20 read from his re-
cords some of the names OF my suit
ors-I mean those which met my
councillors approval"
There was no special list, your Sc
rene hIghness," remarked he, with the
complete GOODNESS that became a de-
scendant of the Aieiiici. Several
names were considered. however.
There was his royal hlghness the Duke
OF MIddleseS." ,o.
"A fai, stupid, Defeating Br:s ===-5 L
commented the grand duchess.
Won Brummkaupf rose wTathfully.
at Is not meat that q queens son
should thus be spoken Of" he splut-
at is not meat that a reisning SOW
ereIgn should thus DE spoken TO, Herr
Cancellarlus," retorted the grand
duchess. Won Brummkaupes eyes en-
countered hers. and-Von, Brumm-
kaupf sat down. rss
Luigi Morelli smiled, and once more
twlrled his mustache. There was also
Prince Louis Rene. stylSd Duo de
Gascogne" stg
THE ugly scion OF brolsen-down
dynasty" observed her serene high
ness. Won Brummkaupfs face was liv-
i'd. but he said nothing. He had learn
ed his lesson.
MoreIli read on through a long list OF
royal, imperial and other SORTS II high
nesses. and there were few of the
number that the young woman at the
head Of the council board allowed to
pass without scathing criticism. When
the reading was finished the grand
duchess remained silent for some min
utes. Won BrummKaupf eyeipg her as
a savage dog might eye the person
that thrashed him. Finally, with an
uneasy little laugh, she said: You
have done wonders, my lords. Every
country in Christendom would appear
to have been considered, except that
OF EtrurlR. Why have none OF the
Etrurian princes been considered. Mr..
Secretary"
Luigi Morelli shrugged his shoulders.
Your Highness must ask the chan
cellor," he replied.
Won BrummkaupE rose. That ques-
ton Is soon answered" he BroWled.
The Etrurian royal family Is the
poorest In Europe II furnishes huge
brood OF starvelinG princelets. Above
all. my policy has been consistently
opposed TO that OF Etruria."
The grand duchess tapped the table
petuIsntly with her fan.
1T seems TO me, Herr Cancellarlus. -
she said. THAT there Is far too much
Won Brummkaupf in this government.
In future please to speak OF my policy,
and not OF yours Further.I desire
that the names OF the Etrurian princes
be added to those already on the list
and submitted for our due considera-
ton" 80
Il don't oven know the names OF the
beggarly tribe" snarled Won Brumm-
kaupE
Luigi MorellI hastily srribbled some
names upon slip OF paper.
III your serene highness and the
council VIII pardon me" he said, Il am,
as you know, an Italian. and the
names OF these princes are familiar to
me. They are here"
Won Brummkaupf reached out a
large hand for the memorandum, bu;
the grand duchess was before him.
To me, II you please" she said. and
accordingly. MoTehi placed the paper
In her hands.
She read the list slowly ct was a long
list for Etrurias royal house had ever
been prolilc). and returned u 10 be
added to that already considered.
And now. my lords she said. ris-
ing from her armchair. 81 shall retire
TO my private apartments with this
list. Tomorrow / shall inform you OF
my Choice"
But" began Won Brummltaupf
overturning footstool in his blind
rage.
There are no 'buts.' Herr Cancel.
iarius. ] am determined 20 use ms
own discretion IN this matter"
shall attend your serene highness
at least!" cried the chancellor seizing
as he spoke, the sncrotary's portfolio.
There is no necessity for truublinG
You Herr Cancellarlus. Tho
Chevalier M0relli. here, will do admlra.
! hlN. Nay; 1 Insist. Give that portfolio
TO the secretary"
Sullenly Won Brummkaupf obeyed
Good day, my lords" said the granG
duchess. Tomorrow you shall
learn the name Of my chosen consort
Follow me, Mr.. Secretary, 81
you please"