The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-06-22
(Concluled from last week.

(Conclu led from last week.
"Count Winneburg," he said, "from
what l hear of you, your elbow joints
are more supple than those of your
knees; therefore let us be thankful
that on this occasion there is no need
to use either. see you are under the
mistaken impression that the emperor
is present. Put that thought from your
mind and regard me simply as Lord
Rudolph-one gentleman wishing to
have some little conversation with an
other"
Your majesty" stammered the
count.
Il have but this moment suggested
that you use the title my lord. But
leaving aside ell question of salutation,
let us get to the heart of the matter,
for | think we are both direct men.
You are summoned to Frankfort be-
cause that high and mighty prince Of
the church. the archbishop of Treves,
has made complaint to the emperor
against you. alleging what seems to be
an objectionable indignity suffered by
him at your hands,"
Your majesty-ny lord, l mean,"
faltered the count - "the indignity
was of his own seeking; he sat down
in my chair. where he had no right to
place himself. and-I-persuaded him
to relinquish his position"
$50 am informed-that is to say, SO
his majesty has been informed" re-
piled Rudolph, slight smile lowering
round his finely chiselcd lips. I'VE are
not here to comment upon any Of the
archbishop's delinquencies, but grant
ing, for the sake of argument, that he
had encroached upon your rights, new
ertheless he was under your roof, and
honestly l fail to see that you were
justified In cracking his heels against
the same"
"Well. your majesty-again 1 beg
your majesty's pardon
"Oh. no matter" said the emperor
Call me what you like; names signify
little"
"If. then, the emperor" continued
the count, found an intruder sitting
on his throne. would he like it, think
you?"
"His feeling perhaps would be one of
establishment. my lord count, but
speaking for the emperor am certain
that he would never lay hands on the
usurper. or treat him like sack of
corn in a yeoman's barn."
The count laughed heartily at this
and was relieved to find that this quit
ted him of the tension which the great
presence had at first caused.
Truth to tell. your majesty. am
sorry | touched him. should have re-
quested him to withdraw, but my arm
has always been more ready in action
than my tongue, as you can readily see
since l came into this room.''
Indeed. count. your tongue does you
very good service" continued the en-
peror. land | am glad to have from
you an expression of regret hope,
therefore. that you will have no hesi-
tation in repeating that declaration to
the archbishop of Treves."
Docs your majesty mean that am
to apologize to hmY'
"Yes," answered the emperor.
There was moments pause; then
the count said slowly:
Il will surrender to your majesty
my person. my sword, my castle and
my lands; will, at your word. pros
trate myself at your feet and humbly
beg pardon for any offense | have COM
mitted against you. but to tell the
archbishop am sorry when l am not
and to cringe before him and suppli-
cate his grace. well, your majesty, as
between man and man, I'll see him
ID firstw
Again the emperor had some difficult
ty in preserving that rigidity of ex-
preston which he had evidently re-
solved to maintain.
Have you ever met ghost. my lord
count:' he asked. Winneburg crossed
himself devoutly, sudden pallor COM