WASHINGTON, D. 9. THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 1916.
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+ Il Fl & + f.
is an old and pleasant acquaintance. love her
--surely--as a brother does sister,"


''And if should command you to marry the
pretty Countess--l would be The happest of
men--but the Countess"


Good, good" said the Duke, 81 have long
been in fault towards the Countess. am sorry
she avoids the court, Perhaps because have so
little company; she deems me not 50 well disposed
towards her as really am. We will speak, Of
this again.p sfs EN


On The following day, when the Minister
went to the Duke, the latter opened hastily a.
kind Of cabinet door covered with paper. and
cried, ''Quick jump in here. The Countess is
coming. I'll take her to task and make her con
fess. You shall hear it all and decide for yonr-
sef.v Afaa t c'3a sf


The Minister would have protested, but he
was already in the cabinet; and the Countess en- !.
tered the room.


After few common places, the Duke began
to complain bitterly of his Minister'S negligence
and frequent absence, and begged the Countess
to give him a hint about it. The Countess join
ed intho jest without betraying any embarras-
ment.


The Duke continued ssBut one thing more
pretty Countess. In the papers of my father,
among other things ! find bequest respecting
you. He commissions me to exercise towards
you not only the care Of brother, but the rights
of parent, and to provide you husband"
Wilhelmine cast down her eyes. She could
not answer.


"And by virtue of this authority ask you
now. Has your heart yet made its choice? 2"


The Countess was silent. Roderick, behind
tho door, pricked his ears. His heart beat strong
|ly ssAhr' thought he, 'swhose name will she
utter" He listened for his own. But while
his Excellency, the Prime Minister was leaning
his ear against the paper door, his nose came in
contact with an overcoat of the Duke, which
hung there. Now, though the Duke was a
mighty snufier, his Prime Minister was guiltless
of the habit; and it was very unfortunate for the
latter that a few grains Of powder found their
| way at this anxious moment to his unsophstica
ted organs. The State of,his listening EXcellen-
cy must be imagined. .f,
| The Duke, who knew nothing of his friend s
situation, in the mean time pursued the dialogue
and asked the Countess, since it seemed her
heart was free, whether she would permit him
to bestow her hand on noble and excellent man,
whom il would bind to his interest, t3


The Countess now was as deeply embarrassed
with her heart, as the Count in the closet was
with his nose. @N


81 would for an example, Il continued the
1 Duke, '.name my friend, the Count Roderick.' Z
! The Countess blnshed deeply, but made ne
answer


"How r. said the Duke, 'fyou are angry
you hate him 2"


"By no means" replied the Countess, 81 es
teen him" "a Hge M ta


perhaps as a brother" rejoined the Duke,
laughing. ''And how, if he was at your feet,
begging for your hand, and should join my
prayers to his 2, auHc 0J.la asa
| Roderck leaned again his head against the
door and again huge pinch of snuff mounted in
to his nostrils. There was no resisting; he re-
tanned his command Of himself long enough to
hear Wilhelmine begin: "Believe me, your
| Highness, the Count will never do so-he does
not think, he has never thought of such a thing"
| But the titiation became TO strong, and the
first burst sent the Minister'S head through the
| paper door.


The earthquake of old did not startle the
Duke more than this sudden explosion, and Viii
hemine was not less astonished by the sudden
appearance of the head.


The Minister in this situation, sneezed six
times thro' the door, and closed with sigh. s'Ah
shall die ~


The Prince ran, laughing, TO release his Min
ister The latter answered his merriment only
by saying, e.Your Highness sees that intrgues
don | suit me. your coat mas spolit me whole
plot, and | must now do the best ] can" And
thereupon he fell at the feet of his beautiful sis
ter, who was 50 overcome with laughing, that
she could not find breath to say, "No."
WHAT is WAsHINGToNfANIsM.
Sabbath evening, large audience assembled
at Washingtonian Hall, Boston, although the
weather was very stormy and the walking
extremely dangerous. Excellent addresses
were made by Messrs. Baxter, Porter, Turn
er, and others. Mr.. Turner's remarks were
explanatory Of the doctrines and principles