Amador ledger., 1904-02-19
A ROYAL
ROMANCE
tOriginal.l


claimants would secure the throne.
Prince Ludwig, the representative Of
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 throne.
Rudolph made his preparations to &C
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, II suggest that we travel
as master and valet, I to be the mas.
ter, you the valet.''
"An admirable plan," said Rudolph.
1--WE will adopt it."
That night the two started, the count
disguised as bourgeois merchant, Ru.
dolph as a German valet. The two
carried their parts well, the count en-.
acting shOpkeeper who had made
money and was consequently purse
proud, Rudolph playing 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 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 gabbling
with the other servants. Be quick!"
Hans moved away, and Bertha Won
Vallenstein, who had looked up from
her book, cast an indignant gla ice 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 Won
Vallenstein, 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 harshly :?
If you do 1 will engage you at once
My mother and need a manservant."
THANK you, fraulein," stammered
the astonished king incognito. "He
pays me such good wages that
Il will pay you double"
The king was in a quandary. Count
Ernest, who saw what was going on,
ordered him away on another errand
and when he was gone said to the
young lady:
Pardon me, fraulein. This servant
whom you think I treat so unjustly
must be handled with great severity
lie 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 that she and her mother were
Journeying 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 a view
to 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 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-
n1to 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 taken a direct route while
the king was obliged to take a very
clrcultous one, arrived long before him.
She could not put away the image of
the valet who had borne so 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 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 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 large mill.
tary escort. AS he passed the hotel
where the baroness and her daughter
were stopping he looked UP at the win
dows I'LL his eyes caught those of Ber-
tina, when he smiled and bowed, re-
moving his hat with especial Difference.
Mother" gasped Bertha, withdraw
Ing from the window, what does it
mean? Am I dreaming or am I de-
lirious? The king has the features Of
the valet Hans.T
Nonsense, my dear! There is re,
semblance, 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 to
the king, he was observed to whisper
something in her ear, and she passed
on with an expression of delight on a
face also covered with bushes.
What the king whispered was this:
II am ready to enter your service, but
not as your valet"
And so it happened that King Ru-
dolph XII. took wife not of royal