The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1898-09-17
A HORROR OF THE HAPSBURGS
How the Fairest Of AuStra'S Women Did PenanCe In
Dungeon.
A Dungeon.
HAND OF MARIA THERESA
THE FaTEFUL

The house Of Hspsburg seems to be
p peculiarly unfortunate now as It
vas once successful in those intrigues
Whereby the Counts OF Hapsburg be-
anne the Dukes and later the Emper-
prs Of Austria
IL was by murder. treason. treach
3ry and perhdy OF every known kind.
1hct the Dukes OF Austria took on the
: itie Of kings. and finally became the
nhertors and the representative of
Ihe Roman Empire Ana In this rec-
brd the women Of the lLapsburg fam
ly played a romantic part aud not uu-
frequently that of Jeze0el CIR a Mesa
ina We need not 20 further back
han the time OF Maria Theresa. Her
haracter as a Queen Empress is well
known, but her character % a mother
S not, yet II was indicated from the
Following cruel incident. Her daugh-
|ers were as unfortunate as thes were
[alr, and that they were fair 10 the
point Of enchantment goes without
#aying. Burke has left on record Ia
immortal words the Impressions which
pne glance at the divine face OF Maria
AntOlnette left upon his mind. But
|nore fair and more beautiful stlll was
Maria Antoinotte's sister. tue Arch
Duchess Maria Josepha. The Emper-
r idolized her and the imperlous En-
press Queen herself who had little
lme or inclination fer layishlng car
sses upon the six fair daughters which
he had borne to Francis of Lorraine,
egarded Maria Josopha with a sweet
IND peculiar Indulgence. AT sixteen
his Inflated princess was a girl Of
ayishlng beauty, with hair OF golden
uburn, with the face Of PSYCHE.
Fith e sinewy form, a peculiar. even
ngelic sweetness OF disposition and
yQuisite manners Just as she he'd
burned her sixteenth year the Emperor
Francis died, and while she was en-
aged to Ferdinand H. Of Naples.
The engagement was one that
rought pride and joy TO Muia-Taer-
sa's heart II was an alliance which
xtended the influence Of the Haps-
urgs IN that soutnerly direction
Thich has been the perpetual dream oil
he house. The marriage treaty was
igned and the betrCthal OF this be.
Fitching bride took place August s
767. The Court of the Hapsburgs put
side the mourning that Ii had as
umed because Of the Emperor's death
he Empress herself was radiant with
miles. Fetes and balls and a serie!
I the -sost brilliant entertainment.
pllowed in rapid succession, I'm wh.c,
he Empress widow herself freely par
rcipated. But suddenly the Arch
uchess in whose honor all these fete!
Fere held began to grow sad and mel
ncholy. She wGs the one person win,
hrank from the gayety OF the cour
festivities. Day by day that face, tht
eauty OF which had formerly lighted
. the court became more gloomy an,
oppressed. From the air Of sadness i
Fore the face shrivelled 20 that OF th
orpse, with the same surprising rapid
ty as under the influence Of a simiia
rief Marie Antoinette's hair becam
ray within the compass Of a singl
light. Those bewitchlng eyes upo
shich no courtier had gazed withou
eing fired with ardor, grew more Ian
uid and lustreless as the gay and roy
| revelry proceeded The rose la
ilted.
More than once the beautiful cir
eclared that her marriage should new
take place. 1t was evident to a
hat there was some awful secr5
Weighing upon the mind OF the raj
reature, and dark cloud at ono
= clipsed all the former sunshine of ID
ady's life.
Finally Maria-Theresa seemed I
ake offense at her daughters despor
eucy. She did not press the Arcl
uohess TO her heart nor look int
er once fair but now hfeless eyes th