Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-06-12
COPYRIGHT, 100. by Ro'


plrc combined. You think perhaps that
the imperial troops will surround your
castle and that you may stand siege.
Now. the emperor would rather have
you fight with him than against him.
but In truth there will be 40 contest
Hold to your refusal. and you will be
arrested before you leave the precincts
OF this palace. You will be thrown Into
a dungeon. your castle and your lands
seQuestered. and I call your attention
to the fact that your estate adjoins the
possessions Of the archbishop at Co
chem. and heaven fend me for hint
Ing that his lordship casts covetous
eyes over his boundary, yet neverthe-
less he will probably not refuse TO ac-
cept your possessions In reparauon Tor
the insult bestowed upon him. Put
II this way, II you like: Would you
rather pleasure me or pleasure the
archbishop OF Trevesy
There Is no question as to that" an
swered the count
"Then it will please me well II you
promise to apologize to his lordship the
archbishop Of Treves. That his lord.
ship will be equally pleased I very
much doubt"
"will your majesty command me In
open court to apologizeT
II shall request you to do so. must
UNFOLD the feudal law"
"Then I beseech your majesty to
command me. for am loyal inject
and will obey"
God give me many SUCH" said the
emperor fervently. "and bestow upon
me the wisdom to deserve themr'
He extended his hand TO the count,
then touched a bell on the table beside
him. The officer who bad conducted
winneburg entered silently and acted
as bis guide back to the thronged
apartment they had left The count
saw that the great crimson curtains
were now looped up. giving q view
Of the noble interior Of the room be-
yond. thronged with the great Of the
empire. The ball leading to 1t was
almost deserted. and the count. under
convoy Of two lancemen. being nearly
as tall as their weapons. passed In to
the throneroom and found all eyes
turned upon him. he was brought TO
a stand before an elevated dais, q !,
center Of which was occupied by :.
lofty throne. which at the moment
was empty. Near II on the elevation
stood the three archbishops Of Treves.
Cologne and MVence. on the other
side the count palatine Of the Rhine
with the remaining three electors. The
mobiles Of the realm occupied places
according to their degree. AS the stal.
wart count came In buzz OF conver.
sation swept over the hall like breeze
among the leaves Of forest A ma
lignant scowl darkened the counte-
nance Of the archbishop OF Treves, but
the faces Of Cologne and Mayence ex-
pressed a certain Christian resigna-
ton regarding the contumely that had
been endured by their colleague. The
count stood stolidly where be was
placed and gaxed at the vacant throne,
turning his eyes neither to the right
nor the left Suddenly there was a
fanfare of trumpets, and instant 81
lence smote the assembly. First came
officers of the imperial guard in shin
Ing armor. then the immediate ad-
visers and councillors of his majesty
and last Of all the emperor himself. a
robe Of great richness clasped at his
throat and trailing behind him, the
crown Of the empire upon bis head.
His face was pale and stern, looking
what he was, monarch and a man.
The count rubbed his eyes and could
scarcely believe that he stood now In
the presence Of one who had chatted
amiably with him but few moments
before.
The emperor sat on his throne, and
one Of his councillors whispered for
some moments to him. Then the en-
peror said In a low. clear voice that
penetrated to the farthest corner Of
the vast apartment:
els the Count Of winneburg here?'
"Yes, your majesty"
"Let him stand forward"
The count strobe two long steps to
the front and stood there, red faced
and abashed. The officer at his side
whispered:
"Kneei. you fool. kneeL"
| And the count got himself somewhat
clumsily down upon bis knees, like an
elephant preparing to receive Its bur-
den. The face of the emperor remain
ed impasslve. and be said harshly:
"Stand upp
The count, once more upon his feet,
breathed q deep sigh of satisfaction at
finding himself once more In an mp
right posture.
Count Of wInneburg." said the en-
peror slowly. ut ID alleged that upon
the occasion Of the last meeting Of the
council Of state for the Moselle valley
you. In presence Of the mobiles there as
sembled. cast q slight upon your over.
lord. the archbishop Of Treves. Do you
question the statementr The count
cleared his throat several times. which