San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-01-24
CHAPTER iii.
Dea,hbed Bride Of King Leopold
CONTINUED from Last Sunday

&C, By Weekly.
IN the preceding chapters have told how became
the official sweetheart" of Leopold, King of Bel
GUM, and was ensconced in the beautiful Wander
borght Palace near Brussels, with wealth, power and
retinue of servants, and then, just was enter
tanning old admirer, the King himself caught us.
The Kings searching and accusing eyes terrified
me. As drowning person sees in instant his
past life so saw my future. would be cast adrift
all that had come easily would easily be stripped
away. had made the same fatal blunder as my
sister, but with less She at least loved the
man for whom she threw away everything, while
really did not.
Slowly recovered my senses must do some.
thing-speak, to break this spell. At least would
try 10. carry it off without / swallowed,
licked my dry lips and found my voice.
"Your Majesty / said, may introduce my
brother Leopold? / have often spoken of him, be-
cause he was named for Your Majesty"
!. was surprised how easily the words came, once
they were started. did have brother Leopold as
the King knew, and had already thought of this
explanation in case he heard of the visits.
Slowly the Kings face softened., SlHe smiled. and
at last did thing for him. He laughed heartily
Durieux thought for while that my story had de-
ceived him, but knew better. No, that was not it.
The King was pleased that was going to smoothe
the situation without scene-aso for some reason
do not quite understand he did not resent this par
ticular man as much as he might.
At any rate he came forward and most graciously
received Durieux who felt comfortable for a mo-
ment. Then the torture began His Majesty, with
hattering interest asked endless questions about
"Leopold's" life and "our" brothers and sisters re-
vealing that he knew an astonishing amount about
my family. Durieux guessed and foundered as best
he could, shooting piteous glances at me for help
but gave him none. After an hour Of this torment
the King took Durieux away with him to his own
palace and introduced him to various notabes his
namesake Leopold DelacroiX.
The man was almost a nervous wreck before the
King weared of the torture and let him go. Needless
to say this experience cured my friend of visiting my
palace again. But the papers got hold Of the story
and socialist organ, always eager to print scandal
about the throne, came out later with two-page
article and pictures telling the history Of my life my
relations with the King and about Dureux. It made
out that Dureux what the English call
cuckoo" and the King what the Americans call
boob"
This happened two weeks after the discovery
two weeks Of absence and ominous silence by the
King. was reading that story. sick at heart, and
certain that it was the end, when in marched His
Majesty with copy of the paper in his hand.
Have you seen this, Tres BELIEF" he asked.
nodded miserably.
We'll" he said, 81 don't believe word of it.
and want you never to mention it. desire to forget
Jt,entirely."
He tossed the paper into the fire, and to the day
OF his death never spoke Of 1t again. There was
punishment, and things went on exactly as before
II was Kings queer way Of doing things
While this matter closed incident it was
the beginning Of long series Of attacks by various
enemies, which not only kept me from reaching the
throne, but at one time placed me in position where
as the just and kindly Professor Tiriard said was
beyond human aid. Yet as J. will later explain
when that crisis arrived was saved by miracle
cruel trick of nature played upon innocent baby
the curse of the Hohenzollems
My association with their monarch at first caused
only curiosity and slight annoyance among such Of
the Rslgans as knew. But soon as was installed