The Red Cloud chief., 1876-05-11

he entertained the utmos, contempt. He
was. beside, a somewhat eliminate per-
son. and he had heard. with horror and
DISCUS, of the esca pads and violent
deeds Of the young ruler Of Anhalt.
%, when Leop I'D applied to him for
the elevation of his wife, Anna Liza, to
the ducal dignity, the Emperor sen,
back a very ourt and almost impoli'e re-
refusal. Nothing could exceed Leopold's
anger upon receiving this reply. For
DAYS he raved like a mailman; with his
own hands re tore down toe painted
emblem, Of the Emperor's power, and
ne had penned already a groiesque le:-
Ter to his imperial namesake, when his
wife, Anna Liza, suggested TO him 10 90
personally 10 Vien1s, and see if he
could not persuade his Imperial Majesty
10 grant his wish.
Leopold said he would go.
but you mus: promise me one thing,
love-" she added. "You must keep
your temper in check. If the Emperor
proves inexorable, why, then leave lin
without getting angry"
Her husband promised that, too: but
the idea that he should keep bis temper
under any sort Of provccation was d
ludicrous one. Anna Liza learned him
and his character to know much better
by and by.
The Duke went to Vienna, and ap-
piled to the Emperor for an interview.
At first Leopold the FIRST felt disposed
not to admit Leopold Of An,,alt at all 10
his presence. Had he adhered t. it he
would have saved himself a terrible hu-
initiation.
But he changed his mind, and said to
the chamberlain III waiting:
"Admit his Highness"
Leopold was ushered in.
At first he was humble enough toward
the Emperor Of :he Holy Roman En-
pire of German Nationality. But, when
the latter said to him:
my dear Duke, how could you have
been guilty of such . misstep rs to mar.
ry the daughter of a shop keeperi" the
Dukes ire was aroused.
"Your Majesty" he replied, "would
not allow any one to talk disrespectfully
about the Empress. In the same man.
ner I herewith forbid you to use such
expressions about my wifea"
The Emperor raised his eyebrows. He
was amazed beyond expression, for no
one had ever ventured to address him in
that strain. Bat a glance at the Duke,
who ste cd before him with a terrible
scowl, convinced him that he had a
dangerous adversary to deal with.
"This audience is at an end2' said the
Emperor, motioning toward the door.
at Is not, your MsjestyI" cried the
Duke, no longer able to control his
wrath; 81 shall not leave this room
until you have written me a letter
making my wife a Duchess!"
So saying he took from his belt two
pistols, and, throwing one of them to
the E nperor, he added.
II have as good blood in me as an
Austrian ever had. You have insulted
my wife, and you shall answer for it now
and here, pistol in hand, or give salts
faction by writing the letter 1 demandw
The Emperor was specifies with
terror; for the flashing eyes of the Duke
showed him plainly that he was in dead
earnest. He cast 8 timid glance toward
the door. The Duke fastened t, it aud
locked it.
Twill you write the letter7 l ask
your Msjesty tor the last time!" roared
the Duke.
The Emperor hunbled himself by
complying With the Dukes demand.
AuC ACtiC' was ~llttcbs duu AcopDld
pocketed it with a profound bow. Then
he unlocked the door and hurriedly lett
the Imperial Palace. The Emperor wa
overcome with shame and rage.
But what was he to do? The best
policy for him to adopt was that OF
silence. So Leopold and Anhalt was
permitted to leave Vienna without let
or hindrance.
Upon his return to Dessau, Anna Liza
was solemnIy proclaimed a Princess OF
the German Empire. She lived happily
with her eccentric husband. to whom she
bore a large family of children.
The peculiar manner in which he had
obtained the Enperor's consent for her
elevation to the ducal dignity, did not
become known until after Leopold's
death. The Emperor had died already
10 1905, and there is some reason to
believe that the shock he had received
at that memorable interview, was the