The Washington times., 1903-06-23
BONIFACE MAKES LOVE
TO DOWAGER QUEEN
Dutch Importer Smitten
With Sovereign's Mother.
MAKES OFFER OF MARRIAGE
Good Natured Ruler Has Some Diff
Guilty in Escaping a
Kiss.

THE HAGUE, June 23.--All the court
is smiling at Dowager Queen Emma's
adventures with a lovesick lnnkeeper OF
Yillers. near Brussels, at whose houss
she recently stayed The royal party,
consisting of the dowager. an officer and
lady OF the court. went to the village
TO view the ruins OF the famous abbey.
travelling in the strictest incognito.
After taking dinner at the inn the
host came TO ask If everything had been
satisfactory. and when the Queen COM
piimented him on the cuisine he grew
very attentive. After ordering 4 special
bottle and clinking glasses with her he
said TO her majesty:
See here. dearie, haven't we met be-
fore? I thought knew your face"
The Queen perceived that the mnn had
her many published portraits IN mind
but sidetracked his inquiry to preserve
her incognito.
Patted Queens Hand.
The host. however, insisted that he
knew her majesty and affectionately
patted her hand. To make an end of
this Baron Van Den Berg asked whether
II was not possible TO secure carriage
for a drive through the neighobrhood.
Il am the Iiveryman.' replied tho
host. land my best rig is yours for the
afternoon II 'dearie' says the word"
Tho offer was accepted because the
court marshal hoped in that way to get
rid Of the innkeeper. but when half an
hour later the carriage drove UP they
saw him perchei on the box, dressed in
his best, the whip and horses heads
gaily beribboned.
Now, dearie." said the host TO the
Queen, Jump up next to papa and make
yourself comfortable. You can't sit too
| close. assure you"
Queen Emma good-naturedly consent
| ed the courtiers sat behind. and tho
! party went off in gay spirits. After get
ting his horses we'll in hand, the host
commenced telling stories, addressing
himself exclusively TO the Queen and
interrupting the baron when that on
/ cial tried to get in a word.
Furnishes the Baron.
Then he turned TO his lady again. re-
calling her with rural bon mots and
tales that made the Queen laugh heart
| lily, because" as she afterward con-
fessed, Il am too old to play the prudC
IL, an innocent game like that"
! However, whom the party returned
/ from their outing, mine host became Sc
demonstrative in pleading his case tina
the Queen feared TO be compromised
and. at an opportune moment. ordere'
Baron Van Den Berg TO ask for the bill
and take her away.
The innkesper was as mad as &
March hare when he learned that th'
party would not stay overnight, AM
assuming that the baron had 10 pay TO
the ladies. wrote out a most formidable
bill. adding at least 80 per cent 10 TIT
usual charges by way OF punishment
As a sort OF compensation he then Of
fered to drive the party 10 the railwa,
station. but after helping the Queer
TO her seat he jumped on the box an
drove away furiously, compelling tn
courtiers TO follow on foot.
The Queen says that on the way 10 tn
station the innkeeper made her for
NAL offer OF marriage, enumerating hi
good points, physical and mental
worldly goods. etc. while she mad
sundry promises for another meeting.
At the moment Of leave-taking sh
had the greatest difficulty In the worl
TO keep the innkeeper from kissing he
good-by.