The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-05-16

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, We're
of exalted blood, fit to espouse a Hapsburg
His own mother had arranged the match He
would ask Duke Macmillan after the banquet
land make a prompt getaway to Vienna,
where pleasure waited
Alone beneath the trees, a 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
tall forest stem. She had been running
and stopped blushing breathless: Please e4.
cuse Dick, monsieur!"
Don't apologize for Dick, mademoiselle
His friendship is recommendation. l 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 he'd already started il for
Irritation. He stopped, troubled. Holding
out his hand, he asked:
why have l not seen you before?'
Very young, serene and naughty, yet i'm
pulsive and tender, unafraid of the youth in
tourist tweeds and struck by sudden admira-
ton, 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"
1t 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
It, Frt1o off1
theatrical. Duke Macmillan was wild with
anger. After the banquet the young emperor
drew him aside:
my uncle" he said, "I have the honor to
ask the hand, not Of my cousin Sophie, but of
my cousin Elizabeth"
my nephew" said the duke it is impos-
sible"
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-
tiers.
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 fancee.- Bless u.s."
Their wedding tour passed in Moravia. 1t
was an ideal honeymoon in mountainous
country where the young emperor was wor-
SHIPPED by loyal peasantry. They rode from
Gown 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, a high officer cor
roborated the funkeys 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