The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-10-28
Queen WiIheImina's First Kiss,


Throughout Holland public rejoicing
! CONTINUES over the betrothal of Queen
/ Nilhelmina. Because the young sovereign
| is attractive in locks and is not snoobisn
in her dignity she is idolzed alike BY
the Oldest parliamentarian in her capt.
TAI and the humblest vilager in her king
dora, says a cablegram 10 the New York
/ World
Ever since the frst Official announce
ment was made on Tuesday night and
/ upon Duke Heinrich OF MecklenouTg ;
arrival at The Hs que, Amsterdam, RI t
terdam and all the other cities. though
! unprepared, were spontaneously and glO-
! riously illuminated as if by magic by the
Dutch people. The enthusiasm has been
manifesting itself by flag flying. hre-
/ works and general merry making.
In many of the villages the whole pop
ulation has gathered daily to sing hymns
and offer prayer publicly for the happi-
ness OF the. royal young couple. II Is 8
remarkable fact that few of the inhabi-
: tants of the Netherlands. even among
the enlightened classes, seem 10 know
anything about Wilhelmina's love-chosen
fiance.
The announcement of the betrothal was
so unexpected that only q few photo
! era ohs of her fance could be found.
These have been multiplying fast, Tut
.
( how WIlhelmina's future eonsort looks
/ But they know all about their beloved
! girl Queen having successfully resisted
ali outside pressure and even intimida-
/ ton. having foiled the combined efforts
Of all the European courts, having snap
Z ned her fingers at all timorous advice
and diplomatic precedents, now marTies
in happiness, having kept her word not
to permit any trading of her woman
hood, because the Queen would never
give her hand without her heart.
The details of the royal counting are
gradually becoming known. Duke Henri,
who is an officer of the Prussian Guards,
stationed at Potsdam, was FIRST present
ed TO Wilhelmina when she visited the
German Kaiser there last year. The
Duke had little opportunity of speaking
10 the young Queen that day, being
compare lively small parsonage in the
brilliant assemblage. but the next mon
ing a slight accident; happened 10 the
Queens carriage.
Duke Henri. being close by. helped
Wilhelmina and her mother out, taking
them back TO the castle afoot- Both
were deeply impressed by the short con-
versation on the way.
The same afternoon the young Duke
deeply scratched his hand against an
iron railing. the blood flowing freely.
Immedia tely Wilhelmina, who was stand
ing few PAGES away talking TO the
Kaiser, left the German ruler, and, I'M
pulsively rushing up 10 Henri, wrapp-d
a lace handkerchief about his bleelins
hand.
As she did this her look of anxiety, the
Dukes own sudden paleness and the dis
pleasure OF the Kaiser were noticeable
to everybody. After that Emperor VIII
liam, whose most cherished ambition was
TO place his second son upon the throne
of Holland so arranged it that the Duke
had little chance TO display his manly,
brilliantly uniformed person to the young
Queen. But II is said they lad read
each others thoughts. and the brave
lieutenant managed 10 approach her pri~
vately in the park at Berlin some DAYS
afterward and boldly and trembllngly
avowed his love.
From her mother. to whom the Queen
described the scene, it was learned that
Wilhelmina simply answered. smiling
roguishly:
But the Kaiser wants me to accept
Prince Frederick of Jrussia's love. What
of him? He loves me also"
Duke Henri, too loyal TO plead his
cause against his Prince, looked his pro-
posal and with a bow started 10
withdraw. Whereupon the young Queen
gave him her hand, saying:
II desire to know thee better
That ended the conversation. But
shortly afterward the Queen and he
Queen mother paid visit at Schwars-
burg Rudolstadt to the mother of Duke
Henri. There the young lovers found
ample liberty to get acquainted.
Since that time there has been a co.,
slant exchange of letters, the Duke only
coming to Holland twice incognito. Up
on the second visit, four months ago,
their troth was solemnly pledged in The
Queen mothers presence. Wilhelmina
unsuspecting ministers were only 7oti-
fed then, and it was agreed that The be-
IL othal should be kept the profoundest
secret until diplomacy smoothed the way
for the announcement. which was bouno
to create CONSERVATION in many quarters
and especially send the Kaiser into a vio |
lent rage
When the German Emperor learned OF |
the engag cement, which was represented |
to him as a mere project submitted for |
his approval. the Kaiser despatched a |
special envoy TO Holland with a long |
autograph letter, calling the attention Of |
the Queen TO the impression that would |
be created when IL was known that she /
had rejected the son of the Emperor for /
an insignificant Duke. He also appealed |
to the Queens pride. saying a Mecklen- |
burg Schweriner, no matter how eligible /
personally, was not sufficiently exalted /
in rank 10 perpetuate the glorious /
Orange Nassau l.ne.
Everything was useless, for Wiihel- /
nina proved steadfast.
A pretty scene, yet one full OF grand
eur, was enacted when the royal sw ct
hearts exchanged their first kiss Iu $
day night, in the presence Of the whole
brilliantly dressed court, uniformed dip
lomaJs. military guards Of honor. in the
Castle Het Loo. at Appledoorn. where
the Queen and Queen mother arrived that
morning and the Duke the same evening.
Heralds with trumpets announced MS ar
rival in the court of honor outside Then
the Duke mounted the stairs and was
conducted Immediately TO the large hall, /
where the court and ministers awaited I
him. ranged in semi-circle, with the
Queen and Queen mother standing In
front Of their thrones.
Duke Henri came eagerly forward,
knelt on one knee before the Queens
mother and kissed her hand. Then he
rose, facing his royal hance, who gave
him her hand with a sweet smile and
a look Of love in her eyes. The Duke
drew that hand gently toward him.
placed his other back Of the girls read
and impressed the first kiss authorized
by etiquette upon the virgin lips Of Hol-
and's Queen.
Wilhelmina closed her eyes under this
,aress and, suddenly forgetting al sboui
her queenly bearing let her head drop
against her sTeetheart's bosom, hiding
lsr blushes aZainst his uniform and look
ng much as any other pretty bride.
GOod Reasons.
fFron the Washington starr
Why arr you 80 fond of shake (
spesTeT' asked the acquaintance.
Because" answered. Nr. Storm nzton
: 49, Ia Le fra I'LL 81. -.a.rf..-