The Holly chieftain., 1923-09-20

size overwrought that the pope's physician
declared It unwise to remove her. So, contrary
to all precedent, she passed the night at the vat
can. She awOke the next morning bereft of rea
son. She was placed In the care of her family.
During the invasion Of Belgium in the World
war German commander passed Bouchout at the
head of his troops He halted in astonishment at
the sight Of the Austrian flag flying over the
chateau. He demanded to know who had the IN
science to display 1t.
Her majesty the Empress Carlotta of Mexico,
widow of Archduke Maximflfan of Austria EN-
peror of Mexico" was the answer.
"Who are your asked the German.
Baron Gofiinet, her majesty's major domo"
take me to herr
-It ~ forbidden. Her majesty is an invalid and
sees no one"
To the German In Belgium nothing was forbid
den and the major domo took him to an upper
window. from which he saw a very old woman
dressed In black and leaning the arm OF an
attendant, walking In the garden The German
went back to his troops and affixed to the gate this
pacard
.This property, belonging to the crown Of Bel
giun, is occupied by the widow of Archduke Maxi
milan of Austria. instruct German soldiers
not to disturb the household, not to ring the bell
and not to sing in passing" And Carlotta's home
remained untouched through the devastation.
Many stories about Carotta have been circulate
ed during her long seclusion in Bouchout 1t Is
known that at hrSt sfle was violently insane, her
main ohsession being that everyone was trying to
poison her. Later she became more rational--so
rational that her actual insanity was questioned
Her royal family never took any steps to have
her declared legally incompetent. and 1t is said
she has never spoken written anything that set
tied definitely whether she was sane or Insane, or
realized that she had lost her place.
Although ILL., she managed for a long while the
most minute details Of her lavish establishment.
Every day she wrote out her orders in one of the
grand salons, and these commands were executed
bv the servants. With her toilet she was scrItp,-
lously careful, and attlred herself with the same
taste and distinction that she used when moving
In the court circles of Europe Her painting and
drawing occupied hours each day, and she passed
much Of her time playing the piano.
1t has also been broadly hinted that Leopold II
kept her seQuestrated as insane, though she was
not So to conceal the fact that he had taken and
suuandered her fortune.
One question Is still unanswered: Has Carlotta
read this final letter from Maximilian which he
penned shortly before his execution?
my Beloved Carlotta: If God permit that your
health be restored and you should read these few
lines you will learn the cruelty with which fate
has stricken me since your departure for Europe.
You took with you not only my heart, but my good
fortune. Why did not give heed to your voice 2
So many untoward events! Alas So many sud
den blows have shattered all my hopes; SO that
death is but happy deliyerance, not agony, to
me. l shall die gorousy like a soldier, like a
monarch, vanqushed but not dishonored. If your
sufferings too great, and God shall call you
soon to Join me- l shall bless His divine hand
which has weighed so heavily upon us. Adieu
ndieu.
YOUR POOR MAMMALIAN"