Omaha daily bee., 1912-08-18
Vienna, Aug. Il.


rzHE suicide OF the handsome, the
rich, the noble Lieutenant Adolph
Won Hoffschneider has ceased TO
be an enigma. The mystery that puz-
zled smart society In Vienna and Paris IS
nc longer a mystery. 1t is solved by
friends OF the three beautiful originals
OF the three photographs which stood on
the mantelpiece In the sitting room OF the
unfortunate young army officer, before
which he was standings developed at
the Coroner's inquest--when he blew out
his brains.
Those three photographs are repro
duced on this page-they serve to illum.
mate the story which accompanies them
The originals are: Mile Renouardt, one
OF the chief beauties OF the European
stage; Mile. Lorraine, another Paris
stage beauty Of hardly less celebrity;
Countess Irma Potacka. the charming
member of an old Polish family whose
beauty has only recently brought itself to
the notice of Vienna society.
Lieutenant Hoftschneider was one OF the
very first OF the eligible bachelors In the
Vienna army set to fall before the fascina.
tions of the little Countess. This was
nearly year ago, before he had met either
Renouardt or Mile, Lorraine. She was
in every way suited to the position in
which the Lieutenant was able to place a
wife. If she had yielded promptly to his
wooing there would have been no suicide
and no story.
"Comtesse." he pleaded. have the com.
mon humanity to end this suspense. Can't
you see that 1t Is killing me by inches?"
"Ha, ha," she laughed. For dying man
you look very healthy-and SO fine, 60
handsome, so brave!"
He could not see that the vivacious little
woman loved him, was merely prolonging
the delight OF keeping him in ignorance OF
the thoroughness of his conquest. He i'm.
agined that she was laughing at him. and
demanded, almost roughly:
"Will you marry me? It Is the third
time that have placed my heart, my for.
tune at your feet crave your answer"
Lovingly. but impishly. she made little
face at HMM which he could see only
the impishness. Before she could utter q
word, the foolish young man had rushed
angrily from the room. from the house. On
the following day, believing himself to be
a deeply injured person. he was of to
Paris, swearing to forget perfdious Polish
beauties in whirl of gayety that would
astonish even the Parisians
His very first evening OF mild amuse.
ment led him to the theatre, where Re-
nouardt was playing. All, here was some
one who could make him forget the little
dark sirens OF Polandl He got himself
presented to the actress. He showed his
metal. Who were small fry French noble.
men to stand in the way of the head of the
ancient and most noble house of the Won
Hoffschneiders! He elbowed them out of
the presence Of Renouardt. He even
challenged the perogative OF an exiled
Russian Prince-and got away with 1t.
Renouardt found herself amused by
the fiery young Austrian. Besides, he had
the price OF many little jewelled trinkets
which she had long desired to add to her
collection OF such trophies. She did NOT
even mind the impetuousness Of the Lieu
tenants loye.making-so unlike the un
ceremonious French way Also, it was SC
refreshing, mis- desire to make her his
wifei
Mile Renouardt," he would say setera
times every night. after the play, "you say
that you like me. Is 1t not possible for yoy
to love me enough to marry me? Other
wise feel that am not long for this
world"
For a week or so Renouardt woult
laugh heartily. only half believing that the
young officer was serious.
But look how foolish" she would say.
"Foolish-soolish to become the wife o
Lieutenant Adolph Won Hoffschneider"--
and there the youth would choke with in
dignation
"Oh, no, no, no--but no, no. You do no
understand, mean how foolish to MARI,
one man who will drive away all th
Others. II give myself TO one man, tn
others are hopeless; If give myself to nc
body, then every man who loves me stil
has hope-and when they hope, they ca
be so thoughtful, so nice!"
"But | love you" at length the Lieuter
ant said with fnality. Love like that /
more than all else In the world. Madam
oiselle, is 1t not possible for you to Low
me enough to marry me?'
Understanding nov that he was abee
lutely serious, and would make her uudis
ri,fed rnisfraka of his life Of his aefafar I.