Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1912-04-02

did not know" John had rarely
beautiful smile that radiated gra
ciousness and good will, and as he
now smiled upon Anna she recovered
self-possession II must ask your
pardon for not appearing at first in
my real character. hope my rea-
sons will seem to you good" She
smiled in answer and said: Il am
bereft OF my friend, the Duke of Ar
ran, so you must not expect me to
be altogether pleased"
They sat down and the king said:
you have only lost his beard, for l
am still the duke, as well as king,
and am also your good friend" He
bowed. Now. let me tell my story"
When / recalled the effect of your
beauty on the queen, desired to
learn if you could justify on closer
view the impression you had made.
I was further Influenced by what the
queen had whispered to me, She is
such a one as you could love-
Anna started. when I had learned
lA0L yOu WCAC AOC OhS " w lOWo
ed with a purse, and | had discover
ed something of your talents and
character, my friendship grew to be
such that desired to help you to a
higher place in the world. | came
as your friend. not recognizing my
own feeling for you. I have learned
what this feeling. is. I have come
now to tell you that love you alb
sorbingly, passionately. have come
to ask You to share with me my
throne and my life
Anna was so astonished by these
revelations that she hid her face in
her hands and wept The king arose
and. placing his hand upon her head,
said: BE comforted. Think 1t not
strange that I, who am but a man,
can feel and speak thus. You are
my equal, my superior by nature.
Positions are accidents. Listen to
me as man, and look into your
heart and find there consent ask
you as a man to be my wife, and as
a king to share my throne
Anna recovered self-possession suf
ficiently to say, Il am by no means
worthy of this; could never fill such
a place. The king answered, You
do not know yourself Your gifts
are more than equal to any position"
He knelt and took her hand II
love you. VIII you be my wife,"
An expression of deep thought came
upon her face and she said. after a
pause, you can not lawfully wed
me. If you marry one not of royal
blood you lose your throne He
stood up, paced the room and cried,
Il care more for you than for the
throne" She walked straight up to
him and said calmly. IF you lose
your throne you destroy the king
dom. You are king beloved by
your people. secure In your place;
you and this land alone in the whole
world stand for Akingship Do not
mar all this for the sake OF one wo-
man.
But what is all this he cried,
holding out his hands to her, "be-
sides a woman such as you? Ali of
1T never gave me as much pleasure
as | find in looking upon your face.
My heart was lonely until saw you.
You outweigh the kingdom Have
not men in all ages given up thrones,
power, position. name for women?
Have they not redeemed the earth
with the blood OF battle for their
sake?"
Her voice was firm but gentle as
she replied slowly. These things
are true. But the men who did such
things were not WISE were not truly
great; they owed the sacrifice OF
their desires to country and human.
ity. ! can not approve what they
did. can not be the means OF your
downfall and OF injury to our land.
Your feelings will change, after
while. it will be clear to you that
i am right"
The king answered: 1T is not clear
to me. ! can not believe that this
sacrifice is necessary"
She went on: Il thank you with
all my soul for your affection and
for the honor you offer. l appre-
ciate to the utmost the value Of
these. would do anything for your
happiness. But you are overwhelm-
ed by your feelings" Her gesture
was one OF entreaty to be allowed to
conclude. you have permitted me
to take with you as with man and
not as a king. see the conse-
quences that would come from my
yielding disaster to you and the
nation. must be firm. Unjust be
'firmer than woman is expected to
be. must seem to be unkind, even
cruel; I must seem to be unappre-
ciative of your love and Of the high
honor you would confer. l ask OF
you to try to understandable try to
see as l do and to believe that am
only influenced by what know to
be best"
Can nothing change your" he
said.
Il can not change" she answered,
"Whilp dnfOO vnn oS1, MOULD v,,oox,