Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-07-26

came more rife than ever, especially
when, week later, 1t was announced
that she had actually been appointed
a lady-in-waiting.
The crown prince. too, soon became
on friendly terms with her, and many
times saw them chatting together as
though exchanging condolences. Whyf
II can't make 1t out" declared Won
Behr, the chamberlain du service, to
me one day two months later. "The
old woman has the most complete con-
troll over her highness> Because she
was averse to the journey we are not
going to Norway this year. Besides,
since her appointment. she has sue
ceeded In plotting the dismissal Of the
Countess Won Scheet-Plessen.
A Conversation In italian.
One evening went to the countess
house In the Stulerstrasse to dinner
party. at which there were present the
crown prince, Admiral Won Spec from
Kiel and Won nberg. the emperor's doc
tor, together with the old Duke Won
Trachenberg. who held the honorary
and out-of-date Office of grand cup
bearer to the emperor, and the eternal
"Uncle" Zeppelin. With Us were
number of ladies, including their Sc
rene highnesses, the Princess Won Ra-
dolin and the Duchess Won Ratibor,
both ladies of the court of the kaiser
IN, and several others of the ultra
smart set.
After the meal there was small
dance, and about midnight, after
Waiting with a pretty girl, the daugh-
ter of the Baron Won Heintze-Weissen-
rode, we strolled together into the fine
winter garden, with It's high palms,
It's FLASHING fountains and It's cunning
ly secreted electric lights.
Two persons were approaching
somewhere behind US, conversing in
Italian-a man and a woman.
Hush !" I whispered mischievously.
Listen! Do you know Italian7"
"Alas! no. was her reply. do
your
I did not answer, for had already
recognized the voices as those of our
Next moment, however, my compan-
Ions quick ears caught that unmistak-
able sQueaky voice.
"Why. it's the countess!" she ex-
claimed.
His highness and the little old lady
ln-waiting seated themselves out Of
sight short distance away and con-
tinued a very confidential discussion
In an undertone in the language in
which, after German, I happen per-
haps to be most proficient.
The pair were discussing somebody
named Karl Krahl.
II saw the emperor today" declared
the old woman, in her sibilant Italian.
undoubtedly so that no one should I'M
derstand, for italian Is seldom spoken
In Germany. "Ris majesty shares my
views now, though he did not do SO at
first. Indeed, I was very near being
dismissed In disgrace when | first
preached the affair. But, fortunately,
he now knows the truth and sees the
advantage of-well, you know, eh?'
"Certo, contessa," replied the crown
prince, who speaks Italian extremely
well. II quite foresee the peril and
the force of your argument"
How shall we act?" asked the old
woman. ut remains for you to devise
a plan. At any moment matters may
approach a crisis. One can never ac-
count for the condolences exchanged by
those who love each other. And, re-
member, Krahl Is In love-"
The crown prince grunted, but as
/ several couples entered at that mo-
ment the pair broke off their conf1den-
tal chat and. rising, went out to-
| gether.
Who was this Karl Krahlf
| I searched various directories, lists
OF persons engaged In the government
| offices in the Wilhelmstrasse, the
| Liepzigerstrasse and Inter den Lin
den; consulted the director Of Berlin
| police, Won Jagow; the well-known De
tective Schunke and Heinrich Wese-
ner, assistant director of the secret
service of the general staff; but no.
body knew Karl Krahl There seemed
to be no record Of him anywhere.
An Unexpected Caller.
In October I accompanied his i'm.
perial highness to Ballenstedt, the
beautiful schloss In the Harz noun
! tains. Here once or twice each season
the crown princes habit was to invite
few Of his most intimate chums tC
shoot In the forests of Stecklenberg
and the Lauenberg, and along that
curious sandstone ridge known as the
Teufelsmauer, or Devils Wall"
The guns consisted Of five we'll
known officers from Berlin, together
with Doctor Zeising, the master gen
eral of forests, and Lieutenant Gen
eral Won Oertzen, the fat old inspector
general of cavalry. AS usual, we al
had most enjoyable time.
On the third day, after champagne
luncheon taken at the forester's little
house at Neue Schenke, we were abou
to resume our sport. Indeed, all th'
! guests had gone outside, preparing t,
| 60 TO their allotted stations, when tn,
head forester entered and, addressin,
: the crown prince, said:
"There is 8 man to see your imperia
highness and refuses to leave. 81
gives his name as Karl Krahl."
. His highness' brows narrowed for
. second, which showed his annoyance
my back. One box of Doan's Kidne