Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-02

was Wild with anger. AFTER the banquet
the young emperor drew him aside:
My uncle he said, II have the honor
TO ask the hand. not of my cousin Sophie,
but of my cousin Elizabeth
MY nephew said the duke, lit is i'm
Then I'll ask for neither said Fran
els Joseph.
So he quite ed Possenhofen. Three
months later, the birthday of the en-
peror, all lschl was in fete. To the i'm
perial villa many great ones were invited.
rotaal. Hake Maximilian his duchess
their three sons and four daughters.
Tie church of Ischl was packed for
morning service. To universal surprise.
a. the imperial cortege entered, the proud
mother OF Francis Joseph humbly stood
aside and motioned young Elizabeth the
blonde Elizabeth. to pass before her.
And the young emperor took her by the
hand Approaching the altar he said to
the priest:
MY father here is my fancee Bless
us
Along the banks of the Danube multi
tudes OF peasants waited. Turning round
a wooded island came the side-paddle
steamer Francis Joseph, pleasure yacht
OF those DAYS, painted white and gold.
Cannons saluted its passage. At each
town the lovely young form in white rose
again, excited. her blonde hair blown in
the wind.
What is it, she asked.
Peacefully reclining in deck chair
smoking his great China pipe. Duke
MaNimi,iau replied TO the bIonoe Eliza
beth:
THE subjects OF your future empire
greet you,
At Linz there was frantic cheering
muSketry volleys, music, t. deums ant
more cannons.
IAN for YOU said Duke Maximil .
wedding N
IL was ideal honey in a motI.4-
famous country, where the young emper-
OF was worshined by loyal peasantrA.
They rode from town 10 town almost
alone. Francis Joseph triumphant and de
lighted. Elizabeth happy She had found
the Prince Charming OF her dreams
Vienna.
The first morning the blooming beauty
was refused entrance to her husbands
study. An usher in green and goid with
gold chain and ivory wand. barred her
way, bowling tremendously: Pardon.
your imperial majesty may not enter to
his imperial majesty without being
nounCed.'
As Elizabeth, simple Bayarian princess
protested that she would pass, high
officer corroborated the fiunkeys words.
Ashamed, wounded, angry. she was fore
ed 10 wait, feeling the smiles or the cour-
tiers behind her back. until word came
that the emperor would receive her
Bitterly she complained TO him, but
Francis Joseph declared that etiquette
must be observed. And the girl sovereign,
bride OF the imperator, had to suffer a
humiliating warming from the mother-in-
law, who now turned out to hate her.
concerning the usages of the house of
Hapsburg"
Scarcely seventeen years Old Elizabeth
had no experience to struggle against a
hundred conspiracies of the court. sug
gested by the brutal diplomacy of her
mother-in-law.
This relentless woman had desired
her son to marry Sophie, whom she
could rule. Forced to yield to Francis
Joseph's infatuation. she resolved that
the blonde Cinderella should not long
rule over the Light and thoughtless
heart of the emperor.
Had Elizabeth confided all to her
husband. using brides diplomacy, he
might have found a way to protect her.
Instead. she took refuge in dignity
Otherwise it is difficult to explain the
prompt estrangement of the young
couple. Brought up ignorant of the ma
teriality of love, she continued to crave