The Holbrook news., 1911-05-19

service whose central QecOra tive piece is worth $15,000
 There is only one guest, 6 general aid de camp or high official oi the court The proudest monarch of Europe Is alone with one guest. Eli Quette demands it.
 There are eight services. Hofburg ceremony does not permit less. Five gorgeous fiunkeys in pale blue, pink and gold serve two men. There have been no flowers on the table since the tragic death of the Empress Eliza beth; but the lights of wax candles glint the golden service and the rare wines in cut glass; they fit from his toric tapestries to carved wood furni- ture and panels such as no museum possesses and make dancing shadows in the distant corners.
 There are faint, mysterious noises in the Hofburg. as of furtive steps up secret stairways in the walls, and there are silences in which you feel eyes peeping through holes. The great palace has an invisible popula- ton of effaced officials, gliding ecclesi- astics, soft-footed domestics, noble old danes and ancient courtiers, whose only sounds are creaking joints as they slip through dim corridors where sentries stand immobile.
 It is the frigid court of 8 lone, aged emperor bereaved by bloody loss of wife, son and favorite brother; so high that none dare offer him sympathy, stern and unbending in his naughty isolation When his daughters, Marie Valeria, with her battalion of children, or Geisele, became a morose old wom- an, are not there on some rare visit, the emperor is alone" It is his wish. He is too old for state dinners and court functions. except the most indis- pensable, brief and infrequent
 The aged emperor is dreaming of the gorgeous gala dinners of the past. He sees the ideal throngs of other days. Again he hears the three taps of the Grand Chamberlain's cane to announce the entrance of their impe- rial and royal majesties. By enchant- ment doors fly open and the glittering throng, be1eweled and perfumed, flash ing colors amid plumes, aigrette and flowers, laughing and murmuring to the clink of gala swords and sabers, is struck to silence. Their majesties pass.
 Vanished all that The aged en- peror sighs, and plans little pleasures which the doctors will permit him. He may still hunt; doubtless he no longer climbs crags after the chamois or the woodcock; but his hand is still firm as he waits on his camp stool in the forest; and stag or roebuck that comes within range is sure of his af- fair. Horseback riding is moro difl- cult and 1t is doubly painful to give up a favorite exercise that kept him in touch with the great love of his me-the army. Twice a year they hoist him to the back of strong, tran quii animal. phantom of the bril- liant cavalier of other days; and Fran els Joseph, stiff and bruised, watches the spring review and the finale of the autumn maneuvers. He loves his cigar and smokes continually the green and juicy marvels made for him by the two famous Cuban growers.
 The aged emperor looks up from his cigar. How lonely is the immense pal ace-fuI of hidden courtiers, func- ltionaries, servants. It is still early, not yet seven. Francis Joseph rises. His guest takes ceremonious leave and the sovereign goes to his study. What a place, that study. Suites of libra ries and offices on endless corridors, from which once went out minute ad- immigration of the dual OmpirOi Fran c1s yO0oph Eighs with rOlioE