Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1913-11-21

Ion-Just a weak old man DOING
away the last hours OF his life by
MS hreside and dreaming of ancient
trlumphs, and men and events that
nave long since been translated into
history He lives at Hofberg, at his
hunting lodge, perpetually; he has to
all lntents and purposes abdicated.
and all that you read Of his activities
IS fiction. Nevertheless, he is the
most important factor and the most
Venerated figure in Austria today.
But the movement of democracy.
That fatal error of our times, has en-
veloped Austria in it's octopus-like ten
tacles. Socialism and the spirit of
national separation have infected the
soldlers-even the officers of the vi
emma garrison. They plan to split
up Austria into her original provinces.
Think what that means, Paul Lane!
Austria wiped off the map, series
OF republican states in place of her,
and monarchy will have received a
wound at it's heart. This must not
be. The League has said it shall not
be. But the League has been pro-
scrlbed IN many countries; it cannot
meet as an entity again; none dares
interfere. And four nights from to-
night, on st. Bartholomew eve, the
coup will take place.
Stepan and his aides, the officers
of the Vienna garrison, who have been
selected from among the Croats,
Serbs, Ruthenians and other non-Ger-
man elements of the empire, have
planned, fifty of them, to seize his
| majesty in his castle at Hofberg on
that evening. There are none there
but the Imperial Guard and a
host of timorous funkeys. My uncle
will be compelled to sign his abdica-
ton. and republic will be declared
under the presidency of Stepan,
There will be none to offer resistance.
There seems nothing to hinder the
carrying out, of the plan. learned
this from the lips of Stepan himself
when he came to me in my prison to
offer me his hand again, Dragging of
his approaching greatness"
what are we to do?" asked Paul.
II shall seek out the emperor, stop
his carriage and throw myself upon
his mercy" said the princess. Once
in his castle, can make arrange
ments, summon the loyal element to
his aid, bring home to him the mean
ing Of the conspiracy. But had I at
tempted to reach him when flying
from my prison should have been
captured and detained. / want mere
ly one whopwill defend me, Monsieur
Lane, till ] can see my uncle and
throw myself into his arms. We must
intercept him as he is driving in his
park, and make ourselves known to
him."
In ten minutes she had elaborated
her scheme. They set out for Vienna
on the next day, travelling as lady
and her groom. On the third morn
ing they descended from the train at
the central station of Vienna, and
that afternoon saw them in the vi.
cinity Of the castle of Hofberg.
HE takes his drive at four, after
the heat of the day is over" said
Pauls companion See, they are
bringing up his barouche to the cas-
tie gate. Only two outriders and one
of his six attendant officers will ac-
company him. He drives round the
park; we can intercept him at the,
Faun's bridge. Comet
Hand in hand they struck out
through the underground of the leafy
forest. running like two children.
At last they emerged upon rustic
bridge. built of heWn trunks, just as
little cloud of white in the distance
betrayed the approach of the empef-
or's carriage. The princess motion
ed Paul back into the underground.
"Come when I call, whether for aid
or to present you to his majesty,
she said, and stepped forward into the
middle Of the road. The carriage roll
ed slowly on. In it, as it rounded
bend in the forest path, Paul could
see a young officer, seated bolt up
right, with folded arms, and at MS
side the aged emperor, his Whlte
heard sunk on his breast, his mead
heut forward. He was nodding, dream
ing his old life away Suddenly the
lcoachman saw the princess, the horses
swerved. stopped, snorting; the out
riders sprang to the ground, the young
officer stood up. hand upon holster.
But Princess Clothilde was ALREADY
within the carriage and at the emper-
or's knees.
uncle! Uncle Franz!" she cried
embracing him in tears.
The old man stirred, and the
dreams of his half-forgotten youth
vanished as his eyes opened. He start
ed slightly. for he had thought him
self back upon the battlefields OF sixty
Years ago. fighting the rebel Magyars,
a young man, full Of the pride Of life;
and here he was greybeard, noddlng
in the carriage within his park OF
Hofberg.
His eyes fell upon the princess
whom the young officer, recognizing
had discreetly abstained from order
ing away. The old man raised her IN
his arms.