The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1907-12-19
a ROYAL
ROMANCE


would have cried, Long live the kingI"
blu they did not now which of tws
claimants would secure the throne.
Prince Ludwig. the representative of
n rival dynasty, was at the capital. but
the Grown 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 travei
as master and valet, L to be the mas
ter, you the valet"
AN admirable plan.' 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 we'll, the count en-
acting a shopkeeper who had made
money and was consequently purse
proud, 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 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
ttful 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
Fallenstein, 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
VaIlenstein, indignant at the counts
abuse, called Hans 10 her and said to
him:
DO you wish TO leave the service of
the man who treats you so harshlyE
If you do | will engage you at once.
My mother and I need a m~anservant,"
THANK you, fraulein," stammered
the astonished king ~incognito. He
pays me such good wages that
I will pay you double"
The king was in a q~uandary. 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, fTaulein- h servant
whom you think / treat so unjustly
must be handled with great severity
He has overriddan every master he has
served till he came to me, and at the
slightest evidence of kindIiness 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 dtscov-
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 ervan
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 owe the borders of his kingdom.
He Immediately threw off his incog-
nfto and, having been Joined by a mum
Der of his adherent mobiles. moved on
toward the capital. everywhere greeted
with great joy and affection by the
people.
Bertha o VallenStein and her moth
er, 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
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 We're 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 look up at the win
dows till 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
meanf Am dreaming or am | de-
lirious? The king has the features of
he valet Hans"
Nonsense. my dear! There is a re-
semblanee, and since that valet has
turned your head o magnify it"
The king was proclaimed, and to the
state ball following the proclamation
invitations came to the Won yaIIen-
stems. When Bertha was presented 10
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:
IT am ready to enter your service. but
rot as you valet
And SO Ii happened that King Ru-
doEph XII took a wife not of royal