Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-06-08
LOVE AFFAIRS OF THE DEMENT,
ED LOUIS ii. OF BAVARIA.
STORY OF HIS SUICIDE
Countess Larisch at Last Brings Out
a Suppressed Book-rragic Picture
of Court Life at Munich Disclosed
by A Kings Fairy Tale-A Dramat-
ic Recital.

the family skeletons of the Hapsburgs
| for the present generation, has been
published at last, and great shout has
gone up from the court society of VI
emma. Not since the suicide of King
| Ludwig of Bavaria has there been such
a sensation in Vienna.
Marie Larisch tells now for the first
time the true history OF the mad king,
who was the patron of Richard Wag-
ner, the recluse of the castle OF Starn-
berg, and who took his own life after
he had killed five OF his suite in two
years. Five years ago the Countess
I .arisch wrote this book and
| it's publication was prevented by
| the emperor, who bought the copyright
! from the authoress at fabulous price,
Nothing more was heard OF the coun-
| tess until year ago, when she left
one husband and five children to go
and live with Munich opera tenor
| by the name of Otto Brucks.
Countess Marie Larisch has had one
of the most remarkable careers OF liy-
| ing aristocrats Her life has been a
romance such as the most fanclful
| fction-teller has never invented or
dreamed Of. Nine. Marie Brucks, she
calls herself, and Nine. Marie Brucks
she would be but for the indissolu-
billty of Roman Catholic marriages.
As it is we must still call her
Countess Larisch, and consider her
| the runaway wife of one of the richest
noblemen of Austria, whose castle and
estates in Sllesia are among the best
managed and most remuneratiye pro-
perties in the country.
Countess Larisch is 40 years old ex-
actly, and may truly be said to have
seen something of the world in this
span of life. The truth was she had
| lent willing aid to the fatal love OF
her imperial cousin, the crown prince,
| for the Baroness Vetsera She had
| sought and gained the friendship OF
Baroness Vetsera, the mother who
! had for years been a fayorite OF Arch
duke William, the grand master of the
order OF German Knights. She tempt
ed young Baroness Mary often to her
house took her for drives and visits,
went shopping with her, and managed
so well that the crown prince continu-
ally met the pretty girl with whom he
believed himself madly in love.
1t must be supposed that the singers
| income, added to the annuity from the
book she never published, is insult
fcient for Countess Larischs wants,
Oh ic fpo n
TO her income, either by large sale
of the book or by a second suppress
sion of it, for which she would no
doubt ask a high price of the regent
OF Bavaria, especially as the mad
king, about whom she writes, Still has
live brother--mad King Otto, who
sits on the throne of Bavaria. She
cannot expect any pecuniary help
from her father, who only waited Tor
his first wife's death 10 marry another
actress. Antoine Barthe, who is his
present morganatic wife.
Countess Lariseh's book, A Kings
Fairy Tale, has been prohibited for
sale in Bavaria where the poignant
feelings excited by the tragic life
and death of their beloved King Lud-
wig have scarcely yet been wholly APP
peased. Kings Fairy Tale, which
she is telling, is the poetic history Of
King Louis II. of Bavaria, the key to
his mysterious solitary life and the
true account of his tragic death. The
book will be read with bleathless in
terest, as it is known that the author
Countess Larisch has learned much
from her aunt, Princess Sophie, who
was the kings berothed for several
months.
The king OF this tale does not seem
real man, but youth from Swan
land who wished TO live for time on
earth.
The first chapter reveals the young
king In his private observatory alb
sorbed in astronomy. When his pro
fessor in astronomy retires the king
goes to sleep and dreams dream. He
understands the language OF the stars
and hears the music OF the spheres.
He sees three brilliant castles on the
shore OF an emerald lake, over which
sail singing swans. With them sails
a mythical youth, a swan king, who
announces his Intention of descending
upon earth, or, as the author eN-
presses it. "the will to live on earth
is awakened i'm him"
An angel warns him In vain that on
earth kings have to suffer more than
otbar nnrrals
The swan king refuses to be warned;
/ the angel has 10 consent 10 his earthly
| Journey, but he comforts him by
promising that a noble human maiden
will reveal herself to him with a song
"A limit is fixed for your life says
/ the angel "it you live it to nhe end;
/ but II you leave the earth OF your own
free will. II you feel your powers
4 failing then you will return here and
/ be a swan again
In the second chapter the reader IS
/ initiated into the intrignes played by
the persons OF the court az this king
/ Barun Won Decker the favorite and