The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21


at Potsdam in the autumn OF
1912. 1 became implicated In it
In a somewhat curious manner
I CHANGED to be lunching at the Es-
planade in Berlin, chatting with La
rogue of the French embassy. Our
hostess was Frau Breitenbach, e.
wealthy Jewess-a woman who came
from DOrtmund-and who was spend
ing money like water in order to
wriggle into Berlin society. As per
sonal adjutant of the crown prince
was, of course, one of the principal
guests, and 1 suspected that she was
angling for a card of invitation to the
next ball at the Marmor palace.
Frau Breitenbach was Iunching with
sixteen guests at one big, round table,
her daughter Elise, q very sma-tly
dressed girl of nineteen, seated oppo-
site to her. 1t was a merry party, in
Guiding, as it did, some of the most
renowned persons in the empire, among
them being the imperial chancellor,
Bethmann-HOl1weg, and that grand
seigneur who was a faVorite at court,
the multimilliOnaire serene highness,
Prince Macmillan EgOn zu Fuersten-
berg. OF the latter it may be said that
no man rivaled his influence with the
emperor. What he said was law in
Germany.
Fuerstenberg was head of the IA
nous princes trust" now dissolved,
but at that time, with its capital of
$500, 100000, it was great force in the
German commercial world Indeed,
such a boon companion was he of the
lot 80 hot =
Orative and ceremonial place was actu-
ally invented for him as colonel mar
shall of the Prussian court, an excuse
to wear a gay uniform and gorgeous
decorations, as befitted man who,
possessing a hundred millions, was an
important asset to the emperor in his
deep-laid scheme for world power.
Young Man Across the Room.
That merry luncheon party was the
prologue of very curious drama. AS
we chatted I noticed that far across
the crowded room, at a table set in a
window, there sat alone a dark-haired.
sallow, good-lOOking young civilian,
who was eating his lunch in a rather
bored manner. yet his eyes were fixed
straight upon Elise Breitenbach. as
strange fascination
Half dozen times glanced across.
and on each occasion saw that the
young man had no eyes for the no
tables around the table. his gaze being
fixed upon the daughter of the great
financier.
Somehow felt a distinct belief that
the young civilians face was familiar
to me. 1t was not the first time I had
seen him, yet could not recall the cir
cumstances in which we had met.
Two nights later I dined with the
Breitenbachs at their fine house in the
-Alsenstrasse. The only guest besides
myself was the Countess Won Rasse-
witt, and after dinner Frau Breiten-
bach took the countess aside tn taILr
while I wandered with her daughter
into the winter garden, with its high
palms and gorgeous exotics. that over
looked the gardens OF the Austrian en-
bassy.
When the man had brought ms cof-
fee, the pretty Elise commenced to
question me about life at the crown
princes court.
How intensely interesting II must
be to be personal adjutant to the
crown prince Mother. is DYING to oct
a command to one of the recentions et
Potsdam," the girl said. "Onlv today
she was wondering-well,w whether vo,,
could possibly use your influence IN
that direction"
In an instant saw why had been
invited to dinners and luncheons so
often.
I reflected a moment. Then said
Il do not think that viii be very DIFF
hcult- I will see what can be done.
But hope that If am successful Won
"nl accompany your mother"
When looked In at the court mar
snafs room in the palace next morn
Ing, l scrubbed down the name of
mother and daughter for cards.
A week later the crown prince and
princess gave grand ball at the Mar
NOR palace at Potsdam, and the en-
peror himself attended.
FRAU Breitenbach. gorgeousIy at
tired made her bow before the an
highest. ana her daughter did the sarse. |