The Red Cloud chief., 1912-05-02
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mia. Dalmatia, Croatia. Esclavonia-and TWEEN.
ity.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. at to espouse a Hapsburg
His own mother had arranged the match. He
would ask Duke Maximilan after the banquet
And make prompt getaway to Vienna,
where pleasure waited
Alone beneath the trees. a pup came romp.
ing to him: and q 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 tall forest STEM She had been running.
and stopped. blushing. breathless: please ex.
cuse Dick. monsieur!"
Don't apologize for Dick, mademoiselle.
His friendship is recommendation. I know
the ways OF the house." he answered,
Father thinks co." she laughed
"Your father? Then you are"
elisabeth Amelia. duchess in Bavaria"
Francis Joseph had already started in for
Irritation. He stopped. troubled. Holding
out his hand. he asked:
why have not seen you before?"
Very young, serene and naughty, yet i'm.
pulstve and tender. unafraid OF the youth in
tourist tweeds and struck by sudden admira.
ton. Elizabeth held out her beautiful white
hand.
II am too young to figure at the banquet"
she said. And Francis Joseph understood His
uncle wished to marry of the elder daughter
tirst. He whispered to the younger GIRL laugh.
ing. tempting:
"Be dressed, on the lawn. before the ban.
Quet. Ill arrange"
1t was the first escapade OF Elizabeth. and
II had the excuse of love at first sight She
dressed and descended calmly, pursued by
afirighted firing women. On the lawn Francis
Joseph offered her his arm. The effect was
theatrical Duke Macmillan 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. 1T Is impos.
sihle."
"Then I'll ask for neither" said Francis 10.
serh.
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 Maximilian.
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 IL my fancee. Bless us"
Their wedding tour passed In Moravia. It
waG an ideal honeymoon In a mountainous
country. where the young emperor was 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 bowng cere.
moniously: Pardon your imperial majesty
may not enter to his imperial majesty without
being announced"
Al 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 walt feel.
ing the smiles OF the c0urtiers 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