The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1904-11-29

A ROYAL
ROMANCE
[onginsL.l

would have cried, Long live the king!'
but they did not know which OF two
claimants would secure the throne.
Prince Ludwig. the representative OF
arrival 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 throne.
Rudolph made his preparations TO go
to claim his CROWN. and. being Obliged
TO pass through Austrian territory, the
government desired to intercept him.
Your majesty" said Rudolph's bos-
| ON friend, Count Ernest Gerhart. who
proposed to accompany his sovereign
to his capital. Il suggest that We travel
rs master and valet. | to be the mas
ter. you the valet"
IAN admirable plan" said Rudolph.
W. will adopt it,"
That night the two started. the count
disguised az u bourgeois merchant. Ru-
doiph as Il German valet. The two
carried their parts well, the count en-
acting n ~shopkeeper who had made
money and was consequently purse
,.Fnud, Rudolph playing a servant who
had all the spirit beaten out of him by
a %tyrannical master. Count Ernest. be
ing the kings intimate friend and faith
full adherent. took pleasure in giving
him plenty 10 do and abusing him
soundiy AT the slightest remissness.
Passing down the Danube by boat, the
two attracted the attention of the old
Baroness Won Nailenstein and her beau
tiful daughter Bertha.
Hans cried Count Ernest, bring
me some hock and sod water. and
don't spend the whole day Cabling
with the other servants. Re quick"
Hans uaoved away. and Bertha Won
NalleIistein. who had looked up from
her book. cast an indignant glance at
| the count for the severity Of his lone.
When the valet returned with the hook
and soda Count Ernest rated him for
ha wing been g0ne 80 long. Bertha Won
Vallenstein indignant at the counts
abuse. called Hams TO her and said to
him:
"DO you wish to leave the service of
| the man who treats you SO harShly:
II you do | VIII Engage you at once.
My mother and | need a manservant.'
Thank yon, fraulein," stammered
the astonished king incognito. He
pays me such good wages that
II will pay you double
The king was in n quandary. Count
Ernest. who saw what was coins on.
ordered him away on another errand
and when he was gone said TO the
young lady:
Pardon me. fraulein. This servan
whom you think | treat so ~nnjustly
must he handled with great severity.
He has nverridden every master he has
served till he came to me, and at the
slightest evidence OF kindliness he
would turn upon me with violence"
d failed to satisfy the young lady.
f-Soon after. when Coun Ernest was not
present. Hans spoke to her and diScov
cred that she and her mother were
jonrneying to the same point as him
self. He asked her hotel at the capital.
which she gave him. and he promised
to communicate with her with n view
to entering her service.
After that Count Ernest, seeing his
mistake In attracting attention by his
feigned severity. treated his servant
less harshiy. They pursued their jour.
ney. eluding the 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 off his incog-
nito and. having been Joined by a num-
Der of his adherent mobiles. moved ON
toward the capital. everywhere greeted
with great JOY and affection by the
people.
Bertha Won Vallenstein and her moth
er. having k a direct route while
the king was obliged to take A very
circuitous one. arrived long before him.
She could not put away the image OF
the valet who had borne so Oh tiently
h%arshness 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 a beautiful morn
Ing that Rudolph entered his capital
Mounted on horseback. attended by his
mobiles. Count Ernest Gerhart riding be.
side him. and followed by a large mill
tary escort. As he passed the hotel
where the baroness and her daughter
were stopping he looked mp ut the win
dows till his eyes canght those of Der
tina. when he smiled and bowed. re-
moving his hat with especial Difference.
Mother" gasped Bertha. withdraw
ing from the window, ..Mhat does il
meani Am | dreaming or am | de
hrfous? The king has the features Of
the valet Hans"
Nonsense. my dear! There Is a re-
semhaance. and since that valet has
turned your head you magnify it"
The king was proclaimed. and to the
state ball following the proclamation
invitations came to the Won Vallen-
stems. When Bertha was presented 10
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