River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-05-02

mia Dalmatia, Croatia, Esclavonia-and TWEEN
ty-three years old.
He had come TO demand the hand of So
phie. He had seen her. She would do. The
Wittelsbach, though plain home folks, were
of exalted blood, fit to espouse a Hapsburg
His own mother had arranged the match He
would ask Duke Macmillan after the banquet
and make a prompt getaway to Vienna
where pleasure waited
Alone beneath the trees, pup came romp-
ing to him; and fresh, sweet young voice
cried: dick, come back!" And he marveled
at the vision, beautiful girl of sixteen, supple
slender, of proud pure type, laughing flower
on a tall forest stem. She had been running
and stopped, bIushng breathless: please ex-
cuse Dick, monsieur!"
Don't apologize for Dick mademoiselle
His friendship is a recommendation. 1 know
the ways of the house." he answered
Father thinks So" she laughed.
your father? Then you are"
Elizabeth Amelia, duchess in Bavaria"
Francis Joseph had already started in for
a Irritation He stopped, troubled. Holding
OUT his hand, he asked:
why have not seen. you before?"
Very young, serene and naughty, yet i'm
Eaalsive and tender, unafraid of the youth in
tourist tweeds and struck by sudden admira-
tion Elizabeth held out her beautiful white
hand.
81 am too young to figure at the banquet"
she said. And Francis Joseph understood. His
uncle wished to marry off the elder daughter
first He whispered to the younger girl, laugh
ing, tempting:
BE dressed, on the lawn, before the ban
.quet. I'll arrange"
It was the first escapade of Elizabeth and
it had the excuse of love at first sight She
dressed and descended calmly, pursued by
.affrighted firing women. On the lawn Francis
offaa
theatrical Duke Macmillan was wild with
anger. After the banquet the young enR3sgcS
drew him aside
"My uncle" he said, 81 have the honor to
ask the hand not of my cousin Sophie, bet OF
my cousin Elizabeth
my nephew" said the duke, 'it is impos-
sible"
Then I'll ask for neither" said Francis Jo-
seph.
So he quilted Possenhofen. Three months
later, on the birthday of the emperor all Ischl
was en- fete. To the imperial villa many great
ones were invited, notably Duke Macmillan,
his duchess, their three sons and four daugh-
ters
The church Of Ischl was packed for morn
ing service. To universal surprise, as the i'm
perial cortege entered, the proud mother of
Francis Joseph humbly stood aside, and mo-
toned 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 iancee. Bless us"
Their wedding tour passed in Moravia. 1t
was an ideal honeymoon in a mountainous
country, where the young emperor wor-
SHIPPED by loyal peasantry. They rode from
town to town, almost alone, Francis Joseph
triumphant Elizabeth happy. She had found
the Prince Charming of her dreams.
All changed when they returned to Vienna.
The first morning the blooming beauty
was refused entrance to her husbands study
An usher in green and gold, with gold chain
and ivory wand, barred her way, bowling cere-
moniously: Pardon, your imperial majesty
may not enter to his imperial majesty without
being announced"
As Elizabeth simple Bavarian princess, pro-
tested that she would pass, high officer cor
roborated the funkey's words. Ashamed,
wounded, angry she was forced to wait, feel
ing the smiles of the courtiers 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.
Scarcely seventeen, Elizabeth had no ex-
perience to struggle against hundred con-
spiracies of the court suggested by the brutal
diplomacy of her mother-in-law.
This relentless woman had desired her son