The Portland daily press., 1899-04-01

every possible way. and, what seems most
incredible. actually surrounded the Em-
peror with strong temptations. "lf Eliz
abeth." says the author, had one fault
1t was an absolute lack of human passion.
She was quaint combination OF an
angel and goddess, a Greek nymph ard a
Christian virgin, blended in one." With
the Emperor the case was different and
he easily succumbed to his temptations.
The Empress had not been educated to
take unfaithfulness as q matter Of course,
and she was grieved beyond measure
when she first discovered 1t. Then she
left him, as any other wronged woman
would have done. The author tries to
excuse the Emperor's conduct on the
ground OF his temperament.
Women had thrown themselves into
his arms from his earliest youth. not only
for the sake of his rank and sovereign
position, but also on account Of his hand
some face and presence. of his winning
manner, and Of the many gifts and tai
ents which made him one of the most
attractive { t men. He oonsea uently, in
spite of his ever singularly chivalrous
ways, did not esteem women highly; they
had fatteIed and caioled him too much
for that, and wooed him also. until some
thing like contempt took the place Of
gratitude where they were concerned
His wife was to him thing apart. SO
lovely, and pure, and innocent that she
fulfilled his ideal of absolute perfscti on |;
pardonable error Of believing her to be
too young, too inexperienced. and too in
different to become his real companion
and com rade."
1t is but necessary to look Tack at the
story of the love affair to know how tragic
this outcome WINS. Elizabeth was the
daughtsr Of Duke Macmillan OF Bavaria,
and the young Emperor came 10 the castle
to WOO her elder sister. In fact 1t had al
ready been decided that he should marry
her. but in the park adjoining the cas-
tie, says the author, she met child,
clothed in q snow-white frook, with u
wonderful mass Of wavy. silken, chestnut
figure down to her tIny feet. and with u
brace of large white deer-hounds leaping
about her, Then FrAnz-Joseph LOST his
hesrt. He wanted to 60 with her to the
castle. but the young Princess demurred.
'Thsy would be awfuliy angry with ms
said, laughing. "rhey have all to tie
married away before am allowed to ap-
pear.
ON the spot the Emperor registered q
vow that tae little girl should DO his EN-
press and negotiations for her elder
sister, hand were broken oil. very much
against the will Of Elizapeth's father, the
Vnua Tho batrnthnl lasted only n short
time, ana they we.e married April "a.
1854 But ths awakening soon came, as
we have already shown. Seven years
afterwards, at the age of twenty three,
Elizabeth fled Vienna and becams IA wan !.
derer on the face of the earth. She visited
the court not more than twice year, and
only to transact some very necessary busi-
ness. Sne lived in Greece, Egypt, and
Syria, Diarritz, Morocco, and Algiers.
She visited France and Ireland, and Iode
TO the hounds IN England. cit was
years" says the author. before this De.
test able modus vivendi came to an end. ="
Her son WAS in poor health and her pres
euce ut the coronation of the King and
Queen Of Hungary became an official
necessity. So meeting twas arrang gel.
"Que Dieu vous garde'' May God keep
YOU, said the emperor. I'VE have both
mucn to forgive said Elizabeth. After
tho reconciliation the Empress withdrew
10 hungary anu PahSou q y GOV Ne@A ~ A1SA
time in her famous castle Godoilo near
Budapesth, where in the companionship
of her dogs and horses she led II cOmpa'a-
lively happy life. The stories of her
wonderful Craftsmanship belong to this
period.
For the first time, says the author, Is
the true story OF the tragic saicide Mt
Mayeriiug given to the public. The
Crowu urinne Rudolph was his mothers
idol but she dislikei and distrusted the
Princess Stephanis nis tancee. 1t is I'M
necessary TO go into the details of their
unhappy married life. Suffice 1t t. say
that Marie Vetssra came between them,
and that for her Rudolph would have
given up his wife, his crown. his life.
The Crown-princs did indeed give up
every thing ana told his father Of his de-
c.sion.
Here" says the author, I'VE reach a
point In this terrible affair which is Of
so delicate u nature that one positively
rscoils before the almost impossible task
Of explaining IL. There are in this world
some teri ible fatalities, and many in
stances in which the words Of the scrip
ture. which say that the sins OF the
fahers will be visited upon the children,
come true in q really ghastly fashion.
The stormy csnyersation which took
place between the Ep,peror and his only
and much beloved son was witnessed by
none, and yet there exists today several