Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-02-06
"A ROYAL
ROMANCE
IOrigfnaI.1

The king was dead, and the people
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
a 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 govern ment
desired to place Ludwig on the throne
Rudolph made his preparations to go
to claim his crown, and, being obliged
10 pass through Austrian territory, the
government desired to intercept him.
Your majesty" said Rudolph's bos-
ON friend, Count Ernest GerhaTt. who
proposed to accompany his sovereign
to his capital. Il suggest that we travel
as master and valet. l TO be the mas
ter, you the valet
IAN admirable pIan," said Rudolph.
I'VE will adopt it."
That night the two started, the count
disguised as a bourgeois merchant, Ru-
dolph as a German valet. The two
carried their parts well, the count en-
acting q shOpkeeper who had made
money and was consequently purse
proud, Rudolph playing servant who
had all the spirit beaten out Of him by
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 VaIlenstein,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 quick"'
Hans moved away. and Bertha Won
Vallenstein, who had looked up from
her book, cast an indignant 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 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 harshiy?
II you do | will engage you at once.
Ny mother and need a manservant."
Thank you, fraulein." stammered
the astonished king incognito- He
pays me such good wages that
II 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 ! 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 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
10 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
ItoS HdiSuIS IHeg puiSueu theI JUL
ney. GLIDING 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 adheront mobiles. moved on
toward the capital. everywhere greeted
with great joy and affection by the
people.
Bertha Won Vallenstein and her moth
or. having taken 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 harshness of his master. and she
looked for him every day TO appear and
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