Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-03

that any one could deceive her
We found Judica with her aunt in the
linen room. 1t was filled with the scent of
dried herbs, rosemary and lavender, and
the treasures of the housewife, piled high
in antique closets. cleaned like snow.
The girl seemed to have grown during
my absence. Certainly she had become
| more lovely. And how she held her little
head! From whom had she learned that,
and so soon? 1t was as if my little Judica
wore a crown. Well, yes. That wreath
of anemones still lay Invisible, upon her
head. l would have liked to show my bride
to all the monarchs of Europe. asking them
, II this was not young queen by Gods
grace
She seemed never to have ceased smiling
since the day saw her last. We held each
other almost the moment we met. l kissed
her and she permitted it without embar-
rassment, and returned my kiss in the
same sweetly innocent way.
Miss Fritz, however, made a solmen face,
but Gebhardt came to the rescue and led
her away. talking industriousiy to her. l
had begged him to give her no chance for
, questions. but to tell her at once that every
thing had been settled, if not in the quick
est, yet in the best manner; that the king
had given his permission for the marriage
and was most friendly toward US, as Ju-
dica should learn very soon.
was thankful to my friend that he took
on himself the labor of making these ex-
plantations. My mastery hypocrisy might
| have gone for naught after all before the
clear eyes of the mistress of the Alpine
ldTn ana OF tnlS L was certa1n-dlC she
learn of my grim battle with myself. had
betrayed to her what they had demand
ed of me and that l had renowned my
chances to the throne for Judica's sake,
she would have refused to let me have the
child
Happily she remained unsuspicous, and
while Gebhardt did me service, we two
stood cozly among the snowy linens. l
reported to my little bride that she would
be the Countess of Sarns. At first she
looked at me with great eyes, half fright
ened. That was on account of the coun-
| tess. But when 1 laughed at her because
she afraid of the great lady, she be-
gan at last to laugh herself.
But l am sorry to say that despite this
she seemed to remain under the influence
of the noble lady all the time that we were
together I caught her several times whis-
pering the name to herself, as If she had
to learn 1t by heart. She did 1t with q
face as if she could not remember it and
feared to be scolded for her stupidity. Even
Miss Fritz, to whom had to introduce the
Countess of Sarns later, showed resentment
against the person, so that the noble fe-
male made decided 1iasco on the Alpine
farm.
Then the table was decked by the child.
like best to call Judica by that most beau
tiful of all names-most beautiful because
it describes the most innocent, most pure,
most lovely that humanity possesses.
The child was wonderfully busy. She
slipped in and out like bird, fetched and
carried. talked, laughed and was SO alto
to Gebhardt:
rs she not worth kingdom?"
He replied:
'She is worth the best man. worthy to
be carried on his hands her whole life long
and to be cherished precious object"
He said 1T with so somber an expression
Of solemnity and melancholy that 1 felt
hurt. He spoke as if i, who had paid the
highest price for the precious object, did
not appreciate it's full worth.
After the meal, when the coffee stood
before us we four sat down to talk over
what? If any one had told me a year ago
that would talk over my marriage like n
simple human man and without the aid
of court marshal! There we sat, in an Or
binary farmhouse room, at ordinary
farmers table, and considered when and
how the wedding should be.
l was IN never-ending JOY, never-ending
surprise. Miss Fritz insisted on arranging
the wedding of course, on the farm, "even
though her dear child was a veritable
countess and her husband real royal
highness! In spite of both noble person
ages, 1t should be a true peasant wedding
And 1t suited me.
My bride was to have trousseau from
Miss Fritz like a real princess" That
made US all laugh, as If 1t was the most
wonderful witticism ever uttered.
At last l. too, began to boast, becoming
jealous of the treasures of the bride l
told of our summer and winter palaces and
begged to inquire where my Madame Wife
! would like to reside. But my two palaces
did not impress them at all. They were
laughed at until became indignant and de-
clared that, after all, perhaps it might be
best to let the lord marshal arrange the
whole ceremony.
Then they became still. like bad children
whom the nurse threatens with the ''black
man." Then had my triumph
Soon thereafter were driven away
| by the strict Miss Fritz, who said that it
was growing late and that we had long
way to go. She had seen through my at
| tempt to linger until 1t would be too late to
go. So nothing helped us and we had to de-
part. Miss Fritz and Judca gave us their
company for a part of the way and the
/ household cheered behind us.
| Today will write down what 1t was that