The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-06

From Vienna and Munich come from
authoritative quarters. reports of tho
impending official announcement of the
betrothal OF Archduchess Maria An
nunciata Of Austria. to tho widowed
Crown Prince Rupert of Bavaria.
Crown Prince Rupert lost his first
wife year and half ago, at Sor-
rento ir Italy. Sho was sister of
| the young Queen of the Belgians. and
daughter of tho late Duke Charles
| Louis of Bavaria, the celebrated
| oculist. She had never entirely re-
| covered from tho effects OF the grave
| illness with which she was seized In
New York, when visiting the United
| states, incognito, after being enter
tainod ut Picking by the old Empress
Dowager and by tho leto Mllxado, In
| Japan,
| She spent many long and weary
weeks In a private hospital In New
York with her husband. who Is devoted
to her. In constant attendance. and
when she sufficiently recovered TO
travel. was conveyed back TO Munich,
under tho care of n couple OF New
York physicians, who were present at
! the grave operation which followed
her arrival there. She had three sons
two of whom survive, while tho third
died while staying with his grand
mother, at her chateau on tho Tegon-
York
Archduchess Maria Annunciata is tho
| half-sister of tho Austrian heir ap-
| parent, Archduke Francis Ferdinand,
! ana by the order Of the Emperor, has,
ever since Archduchess Maria Josepha
became widow, filled the role of FIRST
lady OF the empire. to whom all fem
min, mine presentations arc made at court
| rms role she will ere long surrender
TO young Archduchess Zila, consort of
the second heir to tho throne.
Archduchess Maria Annunciata was
at one time engaged to be married to
Duke Siesfried of Bavaria The lat
Ter. son of Maximilian, Duke of
Bavaria, was formerly one of the best
hho"n patrons OF tho German turf.
and It's foremost gentleman rider, He
was sent by the late prince regent on
trip around the world, in order to
curD his eXtravagances, and to break
| OH Objectionable feminine entanrIe
ments. After returning home by way
or America, he went to stay with
Archduke Francis Ferdinand. at tho
While there he met his host.s unmar-
RED half-sisier. Archduchess Maria
Annunciata. mutual love affair re-
suited. and, after obtaining the Sane
tion or the regent of Bavaria and OF
| tho Emperor OF Austria, their engage
| Hlelt was announced
| The archduchess, however broke her
engagement In very precipitate man
her on the very eve OF the date ap-
pointed for tho wedding, because tho
! proitieacies and designations of his prj
Vate life were suddenly revealed TO her
by oficious relatives. Being deeply
| religious. she felt that, although sin
cerely In lovo with him. 1t would. un-
oer tho circumstances be wrong 10 boz
come his wife. Duke Siegfried not
| long afterwards became insane md.
after being kept under restraint for
some time In the Castle of Bicder-
stein. is now In the private sanatorium
or Neu Friedenheim, near Munich.
The Aichuuchess Maria Annunciata
was SO distressed, first at having TO
terminate tho engagement and then
by tho tragic sequel. that for time
she seemed determined to take the
veil The Emperor would not, how
ever permit her to become u nun.
pointing out to her that 1t would be
contrary TO the interest u the dynasty,
and that she could accomplish Just as
much good and even more as abbess of
the Convent OF the Noble Ladies' OF
the Hradschin, convent where the
vows are merely of temporary char
ncte", and do not impose withdrawal
from the world or from social life. 1t
Is an office filled by tho Queen Mother
Christina of Spain until her marriage.
copyright, 1914. by the Brentwood