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


''Why do you not admit it?'' she
asked quickly
Princess, if the emperor gives me
orders to preserve secrecy, then it is
my duty to obey" I said.
''I 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
Gus reports concerning me. Ali
count" she sighed, you do not know
how very unhappy 1 am-how 1 am
surrounded by enemies %
81 much regret to hear that I said.
But your imperial highness has also
many friends, of whom hope 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 rea-
son 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. Ali you have no idea
how much have suffered! %
She seemed on the verge of q nerv-
Gus crisis, for 1 saw that in her fine
eyes stood the light of unshed tears,
and I confess 1 was much puzzled,
for 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?" said.
"Ahl 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
wickedp ~
mo. no. Calm yourself, princess !"
I urged sympatheticaIIy. Il am at
least your friend, and will act as such,
| should occasion arise"
"Ahl'' she exclaimed in a low voice.
ST fear I shall require the assistance
OF a friend very soon. Do you recol
lect my broken pearls?"
And a few moments later she left
| the room.
"You Lie!"
Through all that day and the next
wondered what underhand work
! could be in progress. 1 pitied the good
| looking, unconventional imperial prin-
/ cess who, because of her somewhat
| hOydenish high spirits, had aroused
she storm of anger and jealousy in the
Saxon court. But the HapSburgs 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, 1 passed the sentries and ascend
ed to the emperor's study with some
papers had been going through re-
! garding the reorganization of the Stet-
| tin garrison. I was one of the very
| few persons ever admitted to that
wing of the palace.
AS I approached the door, treading
noiselessly upon the soft carpet, 1
heard voices raised excitedly, the door
being slightly ajar.
Naturally I halted. In my position I
was able to hear. a great deal of palace
intrigue, but never had I listened to
conversation that held me more
breathless than at that moment.
''Woman," cried the emperor, "do
you, then, openly defy my authority"
''What that crafty sycOphant, Won
Metzsch, has told you is, I repeat, a
foul and abominable lie," was the Re-
ply.
And 1 knew that the unfortunate
princess was defending her reputation,
| which her enemies at the court OF
SaxOnv had torn fO ShreCS
mo woman ever admits the truth,
| of course" sneered the emperor. "I
consider you q disgrace to the Dresden
court"
$50 this is the manner in which you
openly Insult your guests" was the
princess retort. "You, who believe
yourself the idol OF your people, now
exhibit yourself in your true light as
the traducer Of defenseless woman %
How dare you utter those words to
mel'' cried the all-highest one, in fury.
ST dare defend myself-even though
you may be emperor" replied Louisa,
in a cold, hard tone OF defiance. 'sI
repeat that your allegations are IN
true, and that you have no right 70
make them. Surely You can see that
my enemies, headed by the king Of
Saxony, are all conspiring to effect my
downfall. I know It'll I have written
proof OF itE
"BoshI You say that because you
know that the statements are trueI'
you HeI' she cried lercely. They
are not true. You cannot prove them. u
@Very we'll" answered the emperor
in that tone OF cold determination that
knew tn, well 81 viii prove the
charges to my entire satisfaction"
I was startled at the manner IN
which the princess had dared TO caIl