Evening star., 1914-05-03

of the past lie sees the ideal throngs
of other days. Again he hears the three
taps of the grand chamberlain's cane. to
announce the entrance of their imperial
and royal majestieS. One gracious pres
ence dominates these reveries-Elizaheth.
his first love! How proud and beautiful
she was.
What blinded him?
The court, the court.
The blonde presence stands beside him.
Doors fly open. And the glittering throng
bejeweled and flashing colors amid
plumes and flowers. laughing and muir
muring to the clink of gala swords. stands
struck to silence. Their majesties pass.
Under thousand wax candles The bare
shoulders of beautiful women incline pro-
foundy and white bosoms blushing rosy
against their diamonds. palpitate and
mark the rhythm Of the demi-god's ap-
proach-he Francis Joseph, king and em-
peror. successor of Charles Qulnt!
Where Is Elizabeth? Alas. those wom-
en-. He remembers her at Nauneim. pale.
in black. with silver in her golden hair.
Yes. he would talk about Elizabeth. But
who dare speak to him of these tnlhss
There was just one woman. of great
heart ana sense. VINO dared-a'i'o
Silence.
The guest bowing low. departs.
lonely place. this emperor's study;
where his bride was made to wait once
Emptiness and silence. In brighi
little pa r1or boudoir Francis-Jcseph
sits. fatigued. in great chair:
He stares Mt a bookcase VIII he ever
be strong enough TO pass through "
again? lie dreams of later days-oi o,d
mans ways All. to go through the book
case. Through the bookcase is forget
fulness remembrance. peace.
The bookcase is a door that masks
a bijou elevator. and secret shaft.
through FIofourg walls. descends to the
ground floor and saves a mile of walk
by suites. stairRays and corridors Ills
later life began here. Down there, ten
steps and a locked door brought him TO
an unused courtyard where an automo-
bile was waiting.
Through the bright-lit, bustling early
evening of Vienna he would roll TO
streets of residences, and stop at COM
Portable villa When the front door shut
uuon him. se had ceased to be the dread
and lonely emperor and apostolic King.
but Just Herr Schratt, regularly called
.the colonel. but careless. easy, snug
This is ali the truth about Frau
Schratt
recent English book has told much
foolishness OF their relations. One might
think him in love with the bourgeoise.
he who was nearly seventy years old.
already when his Elizabeth was as
sassnated. Let US talk sense. IL for
fifteen years past he spent half his
evenings in her villa, Il was to play
bridge with good old cronies. far from
etiauette--or to sit with a kind soul and
talk about. Eliza beth.
Katharina Schratt the Sarah Bern
hardt of Vienna. retired from the stage
some fifteen years ago. Elizabeth her.
self had introduced them. And the
mourning emperor found her SO intell
gent SO .fnesand also good. that a deep
and honest friendship grew between
them.
With Eatharina. for the first time,
Francis Joseph learned relief from fri id
etiquette. numbinG ceremony and hoilc
sycophancy. The woman OF heart and
head. the artistic genius vino had 3or-
trayed queens in the presence OF adceis,
slowly broke through the crist Of diNtl-
ity that had hampered the poor man
throughout his life.
And lost him his Elizabeth.
Hush: Francis-Joseph sleeps before the
bookcase. STERLING HElLii.