The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-24
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tain hour and to bring consuelo to him.
 All was ready for the journey. and by daybreak the next morning Con- suelo saw again the turrets of the Cas- tie of the Giants. They found Albert seated in a chair Tn the hall, where for thirty days he had sat waitiug--l and dying. The Canoness opened the door and said to Consuelo: Fly to him. You need not fear to surprise him. for he expects you and has seen you coming an hour ago." Consueio darted to Albert and fell at hts feet. It was no longer man but a spec tacle she beheld.
 "T am happy, now" said Albert. as ho let his withered hand fall upon the h.ed of his beloved. I believed you had abandoned me and I gave myself up to despair. But during the last eight days have regained my reason. which .hey call my madness. I have read hearts as others read books. | have read at one glance the past tho present and the future. I learned. in short, that you were faithful. Consueios that you tried to love me. and had for time succeeded. Consent now to . marriage of the church, since it is th0 only one that holds its place in tho estimation of men. This I must carry l with me to the tomb"
 Thus the dying Albert and Consuelo were wed--and with his head upon her breast he died. sitting there in hts ancestral hall. the last of tho Rudci>, stadts.
 After it was all over and the body | of Albert had been placed in the chapel the austere Canoness sought an inter- view with Consuelo. All is in order" | said she with a cold severity. "As Albert's widow the title deeds to my nephew's estate shall be at once placed
  are aware, the heir of all that the house of Rudolsadt now possesses"
 Pardon me. madam" replied Consu- elo. T am rich enough. I have sim- pie tastes and a love of labor. The Baroness Amelia is the heiress of tho Rudolstadts. and I must beg permis- sion to resume my journey at once. ! am engaged to sing in Berlin"
 What" cried the Canoness. "The Countess of Rudolstadt appear upon the stage"
 There Is no Countess of Rudoistadt other than yourself. madam" replied Consuelo.
 "Consuelo, my daughter" sobbed the Canoness. breaking down completely s Remain with us. You have lofty soul anda great heart. Do not leave us again." But Consuelo kissed the aged lady and was firm in her re- solve. W That night a travelling carriage bore her and Porpora again toward the Prussian frontier. Meantime, the great Frederick was taking snuh and recaH- ing his adventures at the castle or Count Hoditz. "Buddenbrock. said the King to his aide. what think you Of our maestro. the great Porpora7" He seems to me to be foolish, self satisfied and iil-tempered." replied the obsequious officer.
 And I tell you" retorted Frederick. that he is a man of superior acquire ments, full of wit and with a most | amusing irony. When he arrives with | his pupil at the frontier you will send | A comfortable carriage to meet him And you are to hand him into 1t alone You understand? But at the same tims you will treat him with every respect sYes, sire. And afterwards- Is hs to be carried to Berlin?" "You have not common sense to- day." snapped the King He Is to be sent to Dresden and from thence 10 Prague, if he desires, or back to Fienph. Since I have taken so worthy a man from his occupation I ought to replace him in as good a one as I took him from. See to 1t that 1t is done with ont cost to himself. But do not lea him place foot in my kingdomi ne is too witty for us"
 And his pupil. sirer
 "she is to te conducted under es- cort. whether willing or unwilling. to sans Souci and an apartment assigned her in the castle. The apartments of inc Barberini will do. She is no longer In Berlin. Consuelo succeeds to all the honors and emoluments of the Bar berinf. She Is a great singer. Her fortune is made. See that these thing& are al ended to-" And it was as the sfeat Frederick commanded. Next sundays One-Page Classic will
 he aTom Burke of 0urs," by Charles Lever.