The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-09-21
THE MAD KINGS l
BROKEN HEART
Broken Engagement of Louis Of
Bavaria and the Duchess.
INTRIGUE ADDED TO HIS INSANITY
jealousy or an Actress Proved Fatal
TO Royal Loyers-Spiteful Act
Which Nearly Cost the Per
petratOr's Life.


as the plteous sovereign was known to the
world, was once happy monarch engag-
ed to be married to the duchess dAlen-
con. one Of the victims OF the fire in the
charity bazaar in Paris. 1t was an ac-
tress, Clara Ziegier, who separated the
royal lovers and aided undoubtedly the
progress Of tho mans malady.
Louis II. king of Bavaria was head OF
the ancient house of Whitteisbach a
dreamy sovereign, devoured with poet
&C. arustic and romantic ambitions. There
was much IA the personality OF Louis 10
fascinate and attract, ana even his insan-
ity was picturesque and unusual. riding
sometimes. as he did. at night through
the 10 ests of Bavaria, rObed in the armor
OF medieval knight. or sailing ON the
lovely waters Of Lake Starenbcrg ia the
swanboat Of Lohensrin.
DUCHESSES OF BAVARIA.
There is a junior line OF the house OF
Wittelsbach whose members are distin-
gmshed by tho title Of duke Bavaria
or duchess Of Bavaria" This family
contained a number OF daughters Of near
ly the same age as King Louis. whose
lives have been filled with more romance
and tragedy than any woman OF our
day. one was the Duchess Elizabeth. la
ter empress OF Austria, who, after a ca
Teer of extraordinary SORROWS. was fated
10 die by an assassins hand. Another
was the queen of Naples. who led her
husbands troops at the siege Of Gaeta
with a physical courage which has not
been surpassed by any woman since
Joan Of Arc.
But the chief Of them from the point Of
g. aff wa GD-
phie Charlotte, afterward known as the
duchess d'AlencOn. An these sisters were
women Of remarkable beauty, intellect
and elevation OF character. They had been
brought up amid beautiful and wholesome
surroundings with a simplicity unheard
OF among royal families. How different
the ducal Wittebachs are from ordinary
royalties may be Judged from the fact
that .he present head OF the family, Duke
Charles Theodore IS an oculist who gives
his whole time freely 90 the poor.
BEAUTY OF SOPHIE CHARLOTTE.
The Duchess SoUnie Charlotte was
beautiful and intellectual and easily cap
tured the heart Of Louis OF Bavaria. not
then insane. He fell madiy In love with
her. and. being markedly handsome with
a striking physique, dark eyes and hair
and impetu0us manners. be did not love
in vain. He paid court 20 tho young
duchess I'm the romantic environment or
her fathers palace at Possenhonen. on
Lake Starenberg. and soon won her az
lection. and for six happy months they
lived i'm a kind modern fairyland.
Unfortunately for the happiness OF the
handsome couple however beautiful ac-
tres was also in love with Louis OF BaYa-
ria. This was Clara Ziegler, a young
girl whom the king had educated for the
1 4 f4f ss, d
tie poems before the royal audience OF one
The actress fell in love with the
benefactor and could not brook the
thought Of a rival i'm his regard. She
watched his woo.ng Of the lovely Ouch
ess with hatred in her heart and resolved
at last 10 end the engagement.
Through her influence at court cara
Ziegier had herself appointed reader 10 the
duchess with access to her private apart
ments When he grew familiar with her
surroundings he purlOined ring from
the Jewel casket OF the duchess, ring
set with turquoses in the form of forget
me-nots. which wa a most cherished pres
ent from the king to his fancee. Having
gained possession of the trinket, the in
triguing actress speedily made present
OF il 10 handsome young officer OF the
king bodyguard, nattering his vanity
with lnsinuations Of the conquest he had
made.
NOTICED RINGS ABSENCE.
When the king next met the duchess
and after they had exchanged the tender
est greetings. he noticed the absence OF
his fav0rite ring.
"Why do YOU not wear Il. my lover
81 have forgotten 10 put it on said the
duchess not liking to admit that she had
lost OF mislaid 10.
on the same day the king saw the young
officer of his guard. As soon as ne saw
the man he saw the ring on his niger.
Where did you get that rinsF asked
the king, forgetting tho laws Of polite
ness.
"Oh friend gave 1t To me-" remarked
the youth, I'm a tone intended 10 avoid
further conversation on that point, bu'
which hardly concealed the secret exui-
tation.
"Ten me who gave you that ring"
shrieked the king.
THAT is one thing 7 will not tell, even
TO your majesty" replied the other.
King Louis went into paroNysm OF
rage. The young officer had 20 flee from
the palace 10 avoid life ana death atiuB-
gle with his sovereign.
As soon as he had partially gained con-
troll of his temper Louis az once wrote
and dispatched a note 20 the Duchess so
phie. accusing her Of the gr0ssest lack OF
faith. an accusation TO which she re
spOnded Immediately with return OF
his gifts and an annulmcnt Of the en-
gagement.
For a short time Clara Ziegler had her
reward The king returned TO her ahe-
glance and was 50 apparently her slave
that she did not hesitate after a time To
declare her part in the ruse which had
l. nd
the actress were out rowing-on the Lake
Of Starenberg when the recital began and
,t its conclusion the king. with madness
In his brain, seized the unfortunate wo
man by the throat and. stranglinS her,
threw her body into the lake. Fortunately
for the actress her struggles were seen
from the shore and she was afterward
rescued
RUSHED TO THE DUCHESS.
In mad haste Louis al Bavaria rushed
TO the palace Of the duchess. imploring
her forgiveness but the proud and in
jured woman refused TO see her hasty
sutton.
Some years later she married, I'm ac.
cordance with the wishes OF her family
the duke d'Alencon, dull man Of excel
lent character As years went on she be.
came entirely Immersed in affairs Of re.
ligion and charity. She was the principal
organizer OF the great bazaar de lavcharite.
IN Paris. in 1897. When the fire broke out
the duchess remained behind with sew
eral nuns who would not struggle to de
prive the other victims Of their chance OF
escape. Those who saw the duchess say
that she met death with upiifted'
smiling and fearless face. praying to the
last.
After his dismissal by the duchess,
King Louis Stunned the society OF wo-