The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-10
.THE TRAGIC END IF PRINCE RUDOLPH The MeyerIing Mystery Has
 Been Cleared Up AUSTRIAN ARIST0CRATS" Says Baroness Marie Vetsera Commit ted Suicide and That the Crown
 Prince Killed Himself In a
 Fit of Remorse.
AUSTRIAN ARISTOCRATS"

Dresden, May 9.-At last the Meyerling mystery has been cleared up. A court of- feial who coneeals his identity under tine pen anem of An Austrian Aristocrat' has written an intimate history of The Tragic End of Crown Prince Rudolph, from the advance sheets of which the following relation is taken:
 The new book proves conclusively that the Baroness Marie Vetsera was not killed by the Crown Prince, but that she committed suicide by poison. but the Crown Prince killed himself in fit of semi-drunken, semi-insane remorse and that this double tragedy was preceded by another.
 Much of the story is substantiated by transcripts of the last letters written by the Crown Prince Rudolph and the Bar oness Marie Vetsera These letters were copied from the originals in the secret archives of the Austrian imperial family by Count Ugarte of Rome the husband of Marie's youngest sster-who also com mitted suicide in 1901. These things being clearly stated the book then describes the last days of the ill-fated lovers as fol- lows:
 On January 27. 1889 a papal delegate presented himself in the court marshal s office of the imperial Hofburg. He brought letters from Pope Leo XIII, set ting forth that he was authorized to com muncate with his majesty, the Emperor Francis Joseph, direct and without the knowledge of the papal nuneio, accredited in Vienna.
 The Emperor's amazement knew no bounds when he learned for the first time from the Pope's letter that the holy father was advising Crown Prince Ru- dolph, through his majesty, that 1t was impossible for the vatican to grant the prince imperial the divorce he was seek ing at the pontifs feet Francis Joseph was still more amazed when the Pope quoted letter from the Crown Princess also asking a separation.
 When the Emperor had finished reading the Pope's letter he sent for his brothers, ArchdulSes Albrecht and Karl-Ludwig; the Prince Bishop of Vienna Dr. Gangl- bauer, and Rudolph He asked the elder gentlemen to be seated, then, facing Rudolph, both standing under the great central chandelier of the library. he read the Pope's epstle with great selemnity.
 Rudolph listened to Pope Leo's letter with varying emotions. Surprise, resent ment, fear, were alternately pictured on his countenance Then. overcome by emotion he threw himself into his fathers arms and promised on his honor to accept the Popes advice, return 10 his wife and breaA with Baroness Vet sera Following his fathers invitation he at once repaired to the Crown Princess to beg her pardon for his long neglect and assure her that his love had returned and that thereafter he would honor her as wife and mother.
 Stephany was overcome with joy. 'Then you will accompany me to the din- ner party at Prince Reus'?" she asked
 Rudolph kissed her ana said he would be only too happy. Two hours later Prince Reuss guests were discussing the reconciliation of the long estranged cou- pie and before she went to bed that night Stephany telegraphed to King Leo pold. Your daughter is once nore hap py. Heaven be praised
 Before leaving Prince Reuss' Rudolph and Stephany issued invitations for din- nor to be held January 20, when the reconciliation was to be officially cele- brated.
 Next morning, January 2S, Rudolph an- nounced to his wife that he had previously made arrangements to hunt at Meyerling, Prince Phillip of Coburg. Count Joseph Huyos and others being his guests. But I will be back tomorrow afternoon" he assured his wife.
 In the meantime the Baroness Mary had heard the story of the reconciliation between Rudolph and Stepnany. She inn mediately communicated with one Brat fisch, the cabman who always drove Ru- dolph when the latter did not want to be seen in his own carriage.
 Bratfsch informed the Baroness that he had orders to drive Rudolph to his hunt ing box. Five hundred gulden if you will take this letter to him, and 800 more if you return with orders to bring me to Meyerling, said the Baroness.
 Bratfsch earned the 1000 gulden and in