The daily Alaskan., 1904-03-05
A ROYAL
 ROMANCE
lOrIEInnL

Prince Ludwig. the representative Of a rival dynasty, was at the capital but the Grown Prince Rudolph, who had been hanIsNed by his father was in Paris. Rudolph was the choice Of the people. but the Austrian government desircd Co place Ludwig ou the throne.
 Rudolph made his pr uuons Go go to claim his crown a obliged Co puss through AU- uu.y, the government desired Co u.arsap. him.
 'Your majesty. sand tl.u.ru.s b1s- om friend, Count Erue-, Grtuut whc proposed to accompany bis sovereign to his capital "I suggest that we travel as master and valet ] to be the mas. ter you tle valet"
 "An admirable plan said Rudolph. "We will adopt it.'
 That night the two started, the count disguised us a bourgeois merchant Ru- dolph as German valet The two carried their parts well, the count en. acting a shopkeepcr who had made money and was consequently purse proud. Rudolph playing a servant who had all the spirit beaten out of him by a tyraunical master Count Ernest be Ing the kings intimate friend and faith ful adhereut took pleasure In giving him plenty to do and abusing him soundy at the slightest remissness. Passing down the Danube by boat the two attracted the attention of the old Baroness yon Yallenstein and her beau uful daughter Bertha.
 "Haus." cried Count Ernest bring me some hock and soda water and don't spend the whole day gabbling with the other servants. Be Quickr Hans moved away, and Bertha yon Vauenstein. who h8d looked up from her book. cast on ndignau, glance at the count for the severity of his tone. When the valet returned with the hook and soda Count Ernest rated him for having been gone SO long. Bertha von Vauenstc.n. indignant at the counts abuse, called Hans to her and said to him.
 "uo you wish to .ve the service of the man who treats you SO harshly IT you do ! will engage you at once. | My mother and ] need mauseryanL'
 Thank you fguie.u' s,ammered the asJon'slcd king .acomito. "He pays mo such good wages hat
 "I will pay you double.'
 The king was n gulndary Count Ernest who saw what was going on. ordered him awoy on another ewand and when he was gone said to the young lady.
 "pardou me. frauleiu This servant whom you think treat SO unjusdy must be handled with great severity He has oyerridden every master he has served ull he came to me and at the slightest evidence of kindliness be 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 d.scov- cred that she and her mother were ! iourucying to the same point as him self He asked her hotel at the capital which she gave him, and be promised ! to communicate with her with a view to entering her service.
 After that Count Ernest seeing his mistake n attracting attention by his feigued severity. treated his servant less harshiy They pursued their jour ! ney. eIuding the spies both of Prince Ludwig and the Austrian government and at last Rudolph found himself safe over the borders of bis kingdom ! He immediately threw off his incog- nito and having been joined by a num- ber of his adhareut nobles, moved on toward the capital everywhere greeted with great joy and affection by the ] people
 Bertha vUu Nallensteiu and her moth. CT. having uken.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 patiently the harShnc>s 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 iu engaging him. ! Meanwhile the whole kingdom had gone overwhelmingly for the legitimate heir. and preparations were made for his reception It was a beautiful morn. ing that Rudolph entered his capital mounted on horseback. attended by his nobles. Count Ernest Gerhart riding be side him. and followed by large mill tary escort As he passed the hotel where thc baroness and her daughter were stopping he looked up at the win dows till his eyes caught those of Der. tha, when he smiled and bowed, re- moving his hat with especial defcrence
 "Mother," gaspel Bertha, withdraw. ing from the window. what does it mean? Am ! dreaming or am ] de. lirlous7 The king has the features of the valet Hans"
 Nonsense, my dear, There is a re semblancc, and since that valet has turned your head you magnify it"
 The king was proclaimod and to the state ball following the proclamation invitations came to the Von Vallen steins When Bertha was presented tC the king, be was observed to whisper something in her ear and she passed