The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-27
A BADEN-BADEN TRAGEDY.
An Incident of the Rich and Mad Princess
DromoroR.
Especial Correspondence.l

bled aloft even to the crumbling battle
ments of the old castle of the Duke Of
Baden. At the base of the mountain
Baden-Baden crouched, as in the dead
days, like dog at its masters feet.
I lighted another cigarette and acct
dentally dropped my cigarette case into
the ruins instead of my pocket. Looking
down, 1 saw it drop far below through
an iron grating into a black hole-a
well. It had fallen into the ancient
oubliette-vanished as did strong men
long ago when the hosts of this castle
dropped inconvenienS guests down there
to slow and secret death.
As I looked man came and peered
down the grating. Two young women
lowered near The man was small and
elim, and his clothes hung awkwardly
upon him. Presently he lifted his eyes
to me and stared moment. Then with
his companions he left the ruins.
MANY visitors?'' asked the gate
keeper later.
Hundreds, mein herr; but 30 early
this morning only yourself and the
Princess Dromoroff. -
MANY descend into that vault?"
''There's a rope ladder, mein herr,
but few use it.
81 dropped a cigarette case down
there. VIII you get it for me?''
''But mein herr should descend him
self and see the dungeon. The Princess
Dromorof has been down"
Every well, will. But not now-to-
morrow. Who is your Princess Dromo-
roff?''
''She is Russian, very rich and very
mad. She has also a sick heart, which
she comes to Baden-Baden to cure. -
''Sick heart? Love?''
''No, mein herr-cigarettes. It is for
hidden in all Baden Baden to sell her
tobacco. Every one is paid to keep it
from her. She has offered her purse,
bursting full. for one cigarette. So she
is watched always, for she must not
smoke -
'tHurts her heart?''
''Worse, mein herr Cigarettes would
stop her heart still like the dead
Then descended the mountain and
passed through the town to the Trink-
halle. Like the early morning assem-
blage at Saratoga's Congress spring
was that which now joined. While the
band played everybody was served with
the thermal water from the springs.
Gathered at tables on the portico and
overlooking into the gardens We're health
seekers from all the world-a few actual
and many imaginary valetudinarians.
Gazing fixedly at the bandmaster was
the stranger of the mountain. At the
table with him sat the two women. Sal
low and wizened was his face. His I'M
der jaw dropped like one aged, but his
mustache was silken like the beard of
youth. Each eye was like the dungeons
black hole. Perceiving me, he started az
if to come toward me, but the two wom-
en- dragged him backward, and soon the
three left the portico.
That evening went to the Kursall,
where in the grand promenade were
wealth, title, fashion and Incidence, the
beauty and the ugliness of many nations.
The fireworks began. Swishl A CO.
lossal fire statue of the grand duke on
horseback, a refined murmur of ap-
plause. Monsieur, - said a small voice.
1t was the mysterious man in the i'll
fitting clothes. His hand trembled on
my arm; his eyes roved wildly; he
seemed like a hunted animal. Monsieur
lost cigarette case this morning."
81 did, sir. -
cit was full of cigarettes2''
Chilled this morning"
SIS it still there said the small
voice, "still where you dropped it?''
81 am going down into the dungeon
tomorrow morning to get it. But
Bangl The grand duke and his steed
were scattered heavenward in a shower
Of sparks.
In the dispensing crowd I could see
the stranger rapidly worming his way.
Just as the lights were turned up he
nod CHI 40 @n fr,&r f1,o
mountain road.
Next morning I reached the mountain
top before the sun. ''Why did you not
tell me the whole truth yesterday about
the Princess Dromoroff?'' asked the
sleepy gatekeeper.
81 told you she is mad, has sick
heart and must not smoke. What else,
mein herr?'
Why, the porter down at the hotel
tells me the princess believes herself
man, calls herself prince, wears her
dead husbands clothes and has two
young women for keepers. But my Gig
arctic case-are you ready?''
''This way, mein herr. 1 will get the
ladder ready for you
''It appears to be ready now" said
as we approached the well of the oubli-
cite. The grating was removed and the
ladder hung in place.
1T is strange, mein herr. But we
shall see. I will go first with the Ian
tern.
I followed down into that chill dun
geon, where the walls were green with
mildew. The lantern cast weird light.
The gatekeeper knelt beside human
form, which sat rigidly against the
rocking wall On the stone floor lay my
cigarette case, empty.
ut is the Princess Dromoroff,'' said
the gatekeeper. In that accursed vault
his words echoed, sounding like many
voices, chanting. Her heart is still
like the dead, - the voices chanted.
IT,