The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-08-11

Old Won DOnaustauf, who at that
time was master of the ceremonies at
the emperor's court, busted himself by
spreading strange scandals regarding
the Crown Princess Louisa. There
fore, in the circumstances, it struck
me as strange that her highness should
have been invited to the puritanical
and hypocritical circle at POtsdam.
= That afternoon, soon after the
guard had been changed, CHANGED to
be writing in my room, which over
looked the big central courtyard, when
I heard the guard suddenly turn out
in great connection, by which 1 knew
that his majesty had suddenly re-
turned from Hubertusstock.
Ten minutes later my telephone
rang, and, passing the sentries, went
by order to his majesty's study, that
chamber of plots and secrets, hung
with its faded green silk damask, its
furniture covered with the same mate
rial, and it's net curtains at the win
dows threaded with ribbons of the
same shade.
The moment 1 entered the emperOr's
countenance showed me that he was
very angry. Lohlein had returned with
him, and stood watching the emperor
as the latter impatiently paced the
room.
1 saluted, awaiting orders in silence,
but so preoccupied was his majesty
that he did not notice my presence,
but continued his OutburSt of furious
wrath. "Only see what Won HOens-
brooch has reportedI'' he cried. Il
am being made laughing-stock-an
you know it, LohleinI 1t has been
said of US that a woman, a within, or
a word will today raise any person
| to high rank in our empire! That
bIack-guard, Harden, has actually
dared to write it in his journal. Well,
we shall see. That woman-she
SHALL
Suddenly he realized that I was
present, and hesitated. Next second
both his tone and his manner changed.
''HeltzendOrff-I-I- you to go
| to Dresden and take a private letter.
1t Will be ready in half an hour. Say
nothing to anyone concerning your de-
parture, but report to me here at four
o'clock"
A Secret Mission to the Saxon Court.
AS commanded, reported, but the
kaiser was with the empress, who, in
| one of her private apartments. was
holding petit cercle, the Princess
Louisa being present. Indeed, as 1 en-
tered that semi-circular salon the
kaiser was standing astride before
Louisa's chair, laughing gayly with
| her. He could alter his moods just as
he changed his three hundred odd uni
forms. :
There was something mysterious in
| the wind-of that felt absolutely con-
vinced The atmosphere of that faded
green upstairs room was always one
| of confidential conversations, intimate
conferences and secret plots-plots,
as has since been proved-against the
peace of the world.
The emperor, noticing that had en-
tered the imperial presence, came for
ward, and I followed him back into the
softly-carpeted corridor. Then.he took
from the inner pocket of his tunic an
| envelope of what you in England call
court size-linen-lined, as are all en-
velopes used by the emperor for his
| private correspondence. 1 saw it had
been sealed in black by his own hand.
Then, as he handed it to me, he said ::
$50 to Dresden as quickly as pos
sible and obtain a reply to this
I clicked my heels together, and,
saluting, left upon my secret mission
to the Saxon court.
The letter was addressed to Baron
Georg Won Metzsch at Dresden.
Next day, when presented it to the
tall, thin controller of the household,
I saw that its contents greatly puzzled
him.
He wrote a reply, and as imperial
messenger, 1 returned at once to Pots
dam, handing it to the emperor as he
strobe alone from the Shell salon.
through which he was passing after
dinner.
He took it from my hand without a
word, tore open the envelope, read its
contents, and then smiled contentedly,
after which I went to old Won Donau-
stauf's room, and smoked good cigar
in his company.
The Crown Princess Calls.
, Next day we were all back at the
Berlin SchIoss. During the morning
his Aajesty inspected the Berlin gar
rison in the Tempelhofer Field, and
the Princess Louisa rode with him
That same afternoon, while was
busy writing in the long room al
Iotted to me In the Berlin Schloss, heI
imperial highness, to my surprise, en-
tered, closing the door quietly after
her.
t Count Won HeItzendorf, you have
: been on a secret mission to that spy
t Won Metzsch. IN Dresden. have yoI
t notY'
1 rose, bowed, and without replying
courteously offered her chair.