The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1904-04-07
I ROYAL
ROMANCE


but they did not know which Of two
claimants would secure the throne.
Prince Ludwig. the representative Of
q rival dynasty. was at the capital. but
the Crown Prince Rudolph. who had
been banished by his father. was In
Paris. Rudolph was the choice Of the
people. but the Austrian government
desired to place Ludwig on the thrope.
Rudolph made his prepa ra ton to go
to claim his crown. and. being obliged
to pass through Austrian territory. tide
government desired TO intercept him.
Your majesty" said Rudolph's bos-
ON friend. Count Ernest Gerhart. who
proposed to accompany lts sovereign
to his capital. II suggest thai we travel
az master and valet. ] to be the mas
ter. you the valet"
I'VE will adopt It."
That night the two started. the count
disguised as n bourgeois merchant. Ru-
dolph as a German valet. The two
carried their parts well. the count en-
acting n shopkeeper who had made
money and was consequently purse
proud. Rudolph playing u servant who
had all the spirit beaten out OF him by
a ~tyrannical master. oun Ernest. be-
ing the kings intimate friend and faith
full adherent. took pleasure In giving
him plenty to do and abusing him
soundly at the slightest remissness.
Passing down the Danube by boat. the
two attracted the attention OF the old
Baroness Won vallenstein and her beau
tiful daughter Bertha.
Hans" cried Count Ernest. bring
me some hook and soda water. and
don't spend the whole day Cabling
with the other servants. Be qulck!"
Hans moved away and Bertha o
v%allenstein. who had looked up from
her book. cast an indignant glance at
he count for the severity OF his tone.
When the valet returned with the hook
inc soda Count Ernest rated him for
having been gone so long. Bertha Won
V~allenstein. indignant at the counts
abuse, called Hans to her and said to
him:
'Do you wish to leave the service OF
the man who treats you so barshlyr
III you do | will engage you at once.
My mother and I need a manservant."
Thank you. frauIein." stammered
the astonished king %incognito. He
pays me such good wages that
II will pay you double"
The king was I'm a quandary. Count
Ernest, who saw what was going ON,
ordered him away on another errand
and when he was rome said to the
young lady:
Pardon me. fraulein. This servant
whom you think ! treat so unjustly
must be handled with great severity.
He has overridden every master he has
served till he came to me. and at the
slightest evidence OF kindliness he
would turn upon me with violence"
This failed to satisfy the young lady.
Soon after. when Count Ernest was not
present. Hans spoke TO her and discov-
cred hat she and her mother were
journeying TO the same point as him
self. He asked her hotel at the capital,
which h gave him. and he promised
to communicate with her with n view
10 entering her service.
After that Count Ernest, seeing his
mistake in attracting attention by his
feigned severity. treated his servant
less harshly. They pursued their jour
ney. eluding h spies both OF Prince
Ludwig and the Austrian government,
and at last Rudolph found himself
safe over the borders OF his kingdom.
He Immediately threw OF his incog-
nito and having been Joined by n num-
hQr Of hiQ adharQnf nnhlaa n.nrad mn
toward the capital. everywhere greeted
with great joy and affection by the
people.
Bertha Won Vallenstein and her moth
err, having taken a direct route while
the king was obliged to take N very
circuitous one. arrived long before him.
She could not put away the image OF
the valet who had borne so ID patiently
the harshness Of his master. and she
looked for him every day to appear and
enter her service. Her mother laughed
at her. assuring her that after what
his master had said OF him she would
run a great risk In engaging him.
Meanwhile the whole kingdom had
gone overwhelmingly for the legitimate
heir. and preparations were made for
his reception. 1t was n beautiful morn
ing that Rudolph entered his capital
mounted on horseback. attended by his
mobiles. Count Ernest Gerhart riding be-
side i'm. and followed by a large mill
tary escort. As he passed the hotel
where the baroness and her daughter
were stopping he looked up at the win
dows till his eyes caught those Of Her
tina. when he smiled and bowed. re-
moving his hat with especial Difference.
Mother" gasped Bertha. withdraw
ing from the window. what does IL
mean? Am I dreaming or am I de
lirious? The king has the features Of
the valet Hans"
Nonsense. my dear! There is a re-
sembIance. and since that valet has
turned your head you magnify IT,"
The king was proclaimed. and to the