The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-06-28
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gle among the unmarried neighboring
potentates and princes for her hand.
1t was known that many of these
would be present, and her councillors
wondered how they would protect her
from their united wooings. Some Of
them were too powerful to offend, some
possessed enormous wealth, and all
were persistent. The queens domin-
ions had been impoverished by the
wars of her father, the late king. who
had fallen in a battle which ended in
route for his forces. The exchequer
was not only depleted, but the kingdom
had been left without military force
capable of protecting It, Nothing saved
1t from being appropriated by its allied
enemies but the greediness Of each to
possess it. No one would give way to
another.
The struggle therefore smoldered till
the young queen, who was then six
teen, should govern in place Of re-
gent. But during the interval each Of
the cOnQuerOrs made proposition ell
Their to marry the queen when she be-
came eighteen or that his son should
do so in his stead Now that the coro-
nation was to come off, each applicant
resolved that no other should step In
to take the prize. One powerful mon
arch alone refrained from making a
proposition. This potentate, King John.
was married and had a son, Adelbert.
who when his father directed him to
enter his claim declined on the ground
that no political advancement Of his
future subjects should induce him to
force himself on any woman.
Queen Alberta had been Informed Of
the position he took and would have
been glad Of an opportunity to see
him and If he pleased her to solve the
problem by marrying him If he would
freely offer himself. But her prime
minister informed her that it was nee
essary to prevent the dividing up Of
her kingdom among her suitors that
she should decide at the time Of her
coronation.
A few days before the ceremony an
ambassador from King John arrived
with congratulations and to say that
the king would choose her for his sons
wife, but that son did not feel disposed
to marry and had proved himself DISC
bedient. The ambassador, BOniface, at
an audience with the queen bore him
self SO reverently that she was much
pleased with him and invited him to
be her guest during the coronation
week. She made this an excuse to ask
him about Prince Adelbert, who would
not enter the list of her suitOrs.
TELL him when you return" she said.
''that he should have relieved me of my
embarrassment by giving me an OPP
pOrtunity to get rid Of those whom I
fear and detest."
"Your majesty forgets," replied the
ambassador. that had he done so he
would have forfeited your respect. as
the others have"
True" said the queen mournfully.
The night before the coronation the
prime minister visited Boniface with
proposition.
IF you are your sOvereign's messen-
ger, you must be of royal blood" he
said to Bohiface.
II am" was the reply.
"And high in favor with your royal
master?"
II have his full confidence"
"In that case am authorized by the
queen to say to you that, with the con-
sent Of your sovereign, a proposition
from you for her hand will be accepted,
it being understood that her interests
will be under your sOvereign's protec-
ton"
Boniface smiled. "Tell the queen"
he said, that to be her husband would
make me the happiest Of men, but
"ButY'
II am not worthy of her. You may
also tell her majesty that am COM
missioned by my sovereign to observe
the actions Of her suitOrs, and il amy
disrespect is offered her the king will
stand as her friend"
The next night at the state ball, after
the coronation, every sutton pushed
forward for the honor Of the first dance
with the queen. They jOstled one an
other, and one imperious prince struck
another in the face In a moment half
dozen swords were drawn, and a
tempest lowered over the assembly.
The queen turned pale. At this mo-
ment Boniface stepped forward and
cried out:
Put up your swords. The queen is
about to announce him who Is to reign
with her,"
The storm was stilled. the suitors
standing about the throne expectantly.
"Your majesty" said Boniface, there
is one more applicant for the high hon.
or you would bestow. l am Adelbert,
heir to the throne of your friend, King
John. and beg your royal leave to offer
you not only my hand. but my heart as
we'll"
The other suitors started. On the
face of the queen pallor gave place to
q blush, while a smile broke upon her
lips. She was sitting In state upon a
raised throne, with a small crown OF
Jewels ON her head, in her hand fan
which had been fashioned to represent
scepter. Rising, she stood above the
thrOng; then, giving each of those who
had desired to possess her that he
might possess her kingdom a trium-