The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-12-17
WIDOW OF KING LEOPOLD
 THREATENED BY POPULACE
 SEEKS SAFETY IN PALACE

a few moments with him while he was yet alive" she sobbed. The Prin-
 cess remained on her knees at the
 bedside for nearly ha3f an hour, when
 the physician led her away.
 Prince Albert. who will shortly take
 up the fallen sceptre, and the Countess Of Flanders, also arrived after the
 King had died
 Leopold's death followed quietly up- on the strongest rally he had made since he was operated on Wednesday. This rally gave the physicians the first real hope of his recovery and 10:3o issued an ocial statement that the Kings condition was most en- couraging.
 The aged monarch shared in this optimism and during the evening he discussed with his physicians, the best place for him to go to recuperate. recovery that he was planning to have a conference today with several of his ministers. At times Leopold grew al- most boastful about his great strength few men of his aSe-74-who could 70 through with what he had gone through. The Kings vitality had, however. been undermined in far greater manner than he understood He fell into a light sleep. At 2:2o one of the nuns who had been nursing him heard a groan from the King She hastily summoned Dr. Thiriar who was sleeping in an adjoining room.
 As Dr. Thiriar entered the royal chamber. Leopold recognized him and cried out:
 "I am chokingr' Dr. Thiriar gave Leopold an injection of morphine. the only effect Of which was to ease his last moments. death ensuing ten min utes after the drug was administered
 The only persons present at the time of death were Drs. Thir,ar and De- page. two priests and the Baroness Vaughan The latter was greatly moved and begged the unconscious monarch to speak a last word to her. As soon as 1t was announced that Leopold was dead there was a rush to "The Palms. of ministers of state and the Kings relatives. Baron Golf finett. the Kings private secretary. was one of the first to arrive. His duty was to notify the royal family of Leopold's death.
 Confirmation of the report that Leo- pold secretly welded Baroness greatly compl.cates Leo poid's domestic affairs as hls two chil- dren by the Baroness will have an equal claim against the vast estate left by Leopold with the other children
 There Is little likelihood. however. of any of these children setting up a claim to the throne.
 The feeling against Leopold on ac- count of his domestic scandals. em- ug tir idHt iiltle71 Aae AtaIhN1 such a point that last evening there was general discussion throughout the city of the proprfety of asking King Leopold to abdicate. The present att titude of the public is that Leopold's death came as a happy solution to problem that both vexed and embar- rassed the government.
 Prince Albert. who will ascend the | Belgian throne. is son of the late Prince Philip. Leopold's brother. He nld nd ma cd years ago to Princess Elizabeth of Bavaria The couple have three chil- l dren.
 The home life of the Prince has been in marked contrast to that of Leopold. | No royal couple in Europe seems more | happily mated than the future King | and Queen of Belgium Albert has extensively and has shown | many evidences of possessing a rare | degree of statesmanship. He Is pop ular with his people and his acces- | sion to the throne will be accentuated | with joy throughout the country.