Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1910-07-14
him. wrote her q scathing letter break

ing off their engagement.
The letter fell like bolt from
heaven. 1t is q question whether dis.
appointment. wounded love or indig-
nation at the objectionable treatment
for which no explanation was given
most affected the girl. who from hav-
ing loved and received the love of a
king was suddenly cast of. Such
Misunderstanding usually become
more complicated and less explainable
at every step. The second scene in
the drama was even more deplorable
than the first. The, princess was as
founded to learn that her reader had
fed from her and taken up her abode
within the limits Of the royal park.
This begot another error. As the
king believed that the princess had
given the guardsman his present. so
the princess believed that, the reason
the king had broken with her was
that be might possess the actress.
This led to a third complication. So
phia returned to the king all the
presents be: had sent her except the
half hoop Of turQuoises, which she
could not find and supposed had been
| lost. - =
The evening after the receipt Of his
gifts the king and the ex-actress-ex-
reader were out on the lake. The
boat shaped like a swan, was fitted
up in royal style. The moon shone
down. upon them, its soft light in
tensifying the girls beauty. That
they might be alone the oarsmen had
been left on shore, the king having
himself pulled the boat out on to the
4ake.
But Louis mind was on the prin-
cess, with whom he had been so
wroth and who, instead of suing for
forgiveness for the offense Of which
he had accused her, had broken the
last link Of the chain that had bound
them together by returning his gifts.
Moreover, be had noted that the half
loop which had made all the trouble
was not among the gifts he had re-
ceived. He spoke Of this to his CON-
panion.
Gretchen came to a sudden resolu-
ton
What influences people is not always
known even to themselves, much less
to others. 1t seems singular that the
woman who had brought about this
rupture Of fiery king with the girl
he loved should while he was still hot
have determined on a confession. But
it must be remembered that she had
gained whatever sway she held over
her royal lover by the senses. Doubt
less she could not endure her secret
forever, and If she was to confess and
throw herself on his mercy how could
she hope for more advantageous
situation than this moonlit scene? II
she was to succeed in winning a par
don no better time or place could be
hoped for.
Throwing herself at Louis feet. she
told the story OF her crime.
Not only were her hopes of forgive
ness dashed. but death stared her in
the face. That fiery nature which the
king had already often displayed and
which doubtless presaged the insanity
which fell upon him later flashed out
as from demon. Selling the kneel-
ing girl by the waist. be raised her
above the gunwale of the boat and
threw her into the water Then, TAX
ing up the oars, regardless of her
cries, he pulled furiously to the shore.
Fortunately for Louis, be was not
doomed to live under the stigma of
murder. Some gamekeepers heard the
cries of the drowning girl and, jump
ing into a boat, pulled out in time to
save her. AS soou as she had reached
the shore she fed from Bavaria.
The king hurried to Possenhoffen.
burning to undo the wrong be had
done his betrothed. 1t was to be ex-
pected that be would have some diff
Guilty in winning her forgiveness. But
was not her lover a king?
Reaching the chateau, he sent word
that be begged to see her in order
that he might explain and ask forgive.
ness for his treatment of her, Word
came back to him that she would not
see him; that she would never be the
wife Of man who had turned her
;. away without hearing and insulted
her by supplanting her with the wo.
man who had perpetrated the decep
ton.
There are few cases where king
has been sent about his business by a
woman who, has really loved him. and
it is not likely in such affairs that the
indignant fancee had long refused to
be conciliated. but Sophia maintained
the position she had assumed and new.
er became the wife of Louis, king OF
Bavaria. .E..I III. =. g." -.
And yet this episode which separat.
ed pair Of royal lovers turned out a
blessing in disguise for the Princess
Sophia. Louis outbursts of temper
. were but the precursors Of insanity
Later his mind gave way. and anoth
er took charge Of the government OF
his kingdom, while the legitimate soy:
ereign was confined under the care OF
physician.
The king was not violent and was