New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1917-08-03

"Why do you not admit it," she
asked quickly.
princess, If the emperor gives me
orders to preserve secrecy, then 1t is
my duty to obey" l said.
II know" she answered, and then
realized how upset and nervous she
seemed. But Won Metzsch hates me-,
and has put about all sorts Of scandal
u reports concerning me. All!
count" she sighed, you do not know
how very unhappy l am-hOw l am
surrounded by enemles!"
II much regret to hear that" l said.
But your imperial highness has also
many friends, of whom l hope l may
be permitted to number myself"
"Ah! it is extremely good Of you
to say that-very good. If you really
are my friend, then you can help me.
You are in a position to watch and
discover what Is in progress-the ren-
sol the emperor exchanges those con-
slant condolences with Won Metzsch.
the man who twisted my husband
around his little finger, and who has,
with my Observation-Disclosures. Frau
Won Fritsch, already poisoned his mind
against me. All! you have no idea
how much l have suffered"
She seemed on the verge of n nerv-
| Gus crisis, for l saw that in her fine
| eyes stood the light of unshed tears,
and l confess l was much puzzled,
for l had certainly believed, up to that
moment, that she was on excellent
terms with her husband.
But surely his highness, the crown
prince Of SaxOny, does not believe any
Of those wicked reports?" l said.
"Ah! Then you have heard. OF
course, you have. Won Metzsch has
taken good care to let the whole world
know the lies that he and the Countess
Paule ~Starhemberg have concocted be-
tween them. 1t Is cruel! 1t is
wicked"
"No. no. Calm yourself, princess y
I urged sympathetically. Il nm at
least your friend, and will act as such,
should occasion arise"
"Ah!" she exclaimed in a low voice,
II fear l shall require the assistance
of a friend very o Do you recol'
lect my broken pearlsT'
And a few moments later she left
the room.
"You Lie!"
Through all that day and the next
| wondered what underhand work
,c,,IJ L., L., ,rnprnss 7 pitin1 thn Onn1,
looking, unconventional imperial prin
cess who, because of her somewhat
h%oydenish high spirits, had aroused
the storm of anger and jealousy in the
Saxon court. But the IIapsburgs had
ever been so unfortunate in their loves
On the day before the crown prin
cess visit to the Berlin court was due
to end, at about six O'Clock In the eve
ming, | passed the sentries and ascend
ed to the emperor's study with some
papers l had been going through re
garding the reorganization of the Stet
tin garrison. l WAS n of the very
few persons ever admitted to thai
wing of the palace.
As l approached the door, treadint
noiselessly upon the soft carpet,
heard voices raised excitedly, the dool
being slightly ajar.
Naturally l halted. In my position
was able to hear Il great deal of palace
intrigue, but eve had | listened to ;
conversation that held me more
GREATNESS than at that moment.
woman" cried the emperor, "dc
you, then, openly defy my authority?
what that crafty sycophant, VOl
Metzsch, has told you is, l repeat, /,
foul and abominable lie" was the re
ply.
And l knew that the unfortunate
princess was defending her reputation
which her enemies at the court OF
Saxony had torn to shreds.
mo woman ever admits the truth
of COURSE" sneered the emperor. 81
consider you a disgrace to the Dresden
court"
$50 this is the manner In which yot
openly insult your guests" was tht
princess' retOrt. "You, who believe
yourself the idol of your people, nov
exhibit yourself in your true light al
the traducer of a defenseless woman! y
"How dare you utter those words t.
me :" cried the all-highest one, in fury
Il dare defend myself-even though
you may be emperor" replied Louisa
in a cold, hard tone of defiance. %
repeat that your allegations are I'm
true, and that you have no right tt
make them. Surely you can see thai
my enemies, headed by the king OF
Saxony, are all conspiring to effect my
downfall. 1 know it! I have writer
proof of It'll"
"Bosh! You say that because yOy
know that the statements are true! !"
"You lie !" she cried fiercely. They
are not true. You cannot prove them
"very WELL" answered the emperor
in that tone of cold determination thai
1 knew too well. Il will prove the
charges to my entire satisfaction"
1 was startled at the manner In
which the princess had dared to cal