Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1910-04-14

shot was heard, that Of the crown
prince Ferdinand slowly raised his
arm and fired toward the heavens, then .
sank down on the ground.
Moved by Prince FerdiEand's s refusal
to defend himself, his opponent went
to him and with the others bent over
him sympathetically.
"Wil your regal hGhness he the
bearer Of my apologies to the Princess
Maria and tell her that regard the
price paid for what | received mere
bagatelle."
Prince Ferdinand lay at the point OF
death for time, then slowly rccov-
cred. When able to travel he was TAX
en- back to Munich, where he eventu-
ally regained his lost strength.
There were at that time strained con-
ditions among the German states. Ra-
varia and several other principalitics
In the eastern portion of Germany
were chatting under certain breaches of
treaty by the king of Prussia, who
headed coalition of the more western
sovercigns, among whom was the
Grand Duke of Mekln-Swinitz The
king of Bavaria, mcensed at what he
conceived In the serious woundng of
Prince Ferdinand by the crown prince
of Meklin-Swinitz to he an insult offer
ed to a guest. broke Off negotiations
that were pending and declared war
against the grand duke. This involved
all the powers concerned in the exist.
ing status and precipitated a genera!
conflict.
Prince Ferdinand took a prominent
part in the conflict in which the east
ern principalities in time conquered
a peace. When the capital of tha
grand duchv of Meklin-Swinitz lay Mt
the mercy e the opposition allies the
sovereign sent his most skillful Iiplo,
mat TO discover on what terms they
would evacuate his territory. The am,
bassador found himself compelled to
treat with the king Of Bavaria.
60 and tell your master" said the
king sternly, that the only terms on
which his territory will be evacuated
are that he will support our applica-
tion to the king of Prussia for the
hand Of the Princess Maria. If he re.
fuses by tomorrow evening l will bonn.
bard his palace"
The grand duke of Meklin-Swinitz
was only too glad to save his dukedom
on such terms and informed the king
Of Prussia that the engagement be-
tween his son and the princess must
be broken off. The crown prince, who
had been so important part in the
cause Of the war at this stage, was
not even consulted. Nevertheless he
was bitterly moved at having to give
up n woman he loved.
1t was expected by those who knew
best that the announcement that
treaty of peace had been signed would
be simultaneous with an announce
ment of a betrothal between Prince
Ferdinand and the Princess Maria.
| Such was not the case. There could
| be no objection on the part of the
| king of Prussia to transfer his niece
| from one prince to another. But no
! formal application was made. The
armies were withdrawn, and the SOW
ereigns retired to their different king
| doms, dukedoms and principalities to
! enjoy themselves each in his own
! fashion. while his chancellor of the eX-
| NANIuNl ltiSIh llipuCN " pay blI llH
! debt incurred during the war.
The king of Prussia waited expect
ing every day to receive a formal ap-
/ plication from the king of Bavaria for
the hand of his niece on behalf of
| Prince Ferdinand. Not that the king
( of Prussia cared especially whom the
/ princess married. provided the alliance
was with a royal house but after the
demand of the king of Bavaria that
the grand duke of Meklin-Swinitz
should support him in an application
of her haDd for Prince Ferdinand a
| failure to make such a demand was
| to be regarded as an insult
AS the king of Prussia was about
! to organize Il cabal OF states to aid
I him in resenting the insult an ambas-
sador arrived at the PrusSian court
bearing Il letter from the king Of Ba-
varia asking if a visit from Prince
| Ferdinand would be agreeable. A IA
! vorable answer was returned, and in
due time Prince Ferdinand appeared.
! 1t was Of course to be supposed that
| he had come 10 make the application
| in person, and MI thought of another
| war was abandoned.
And SO it was that Prince Ferdinand
! n second time a!ightcd before the roy
| at palace and was formally received
and shown to his apartments.
The Princess NAria from window
saw him enter. Taking position on
the floor below I've princes suit, she
waited till she beard him leave his
room. then walked slowly up the main
! staircase
They met midway, the princess
blushing scarlet She turned her eyes
| upon him; he bent forward and touch.
ed her cheek with his lips. But this
time he did more-he encircled her
with his arms, and her head sank up
on his breast.
"Did Adolph deliver my message?"
he asked.
lie did. No woman could resist
It,"
The marriage between Prince Ferdl-
nand and the Princess Maria was
understood all over Europe to be
love match.
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