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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 13, 1903)
September 13, 1001. THE ILLUSTRATED ItEE. It the sadness, the hoplessness of my brother. The wedding of the Crown Prince with the Princess Mathllde has been postponed on necount of the "slight Indisposition." of the King only postponed. I must speak of my mother with up lifted hands. She Is a Queen of Suffering. The King waa ailing even at the time of liis wedding. Only a few knew that, but my mother discovered It soon. Since then ihe has borne It from duty. Always and ever she was close by the side of the sick King not from love, but duty. She negoti ated between the sick King and the State; she negotiated between the sick King and the nation; between the sick King and his sons. For a long, long time only th-3 King's nearest officers knew of his malady thanks to the dutiful Queen, the heroine, the martyr! She cast a veil around the sick King and guarded him like a priestes guarding a sacred fire. And yet it was not the love of a wife, but the conscience of a Queen, that enabled her to bear it. Of all greatness this is the greatest. And now the most terrible part of It! The King hated my mother, has hated her from the day on which she discovered hi J malady. He imagines that she, who is hH guardian Bpirit, Is his mortal enemy, Lis Jailer. Yet she held out for years and years, and would hold out still, but It can not be done. The King believes that his life Is in dan ger fiom her. To save her own she had to accede to a separation.' Thus It Is with the State of Denmark, as explained to me humbly, with all possible courtly phrases. I must tell you how it all came about. Three days after 1 had visited the Alplno Farm the Privy Councillor arrived with a court official. The gentleman begged to see me and informed me: The King wished to ilt the Sea-Alp for an indeterminate period, and without the Queen. I asked when 1 was to loave. They told me that I was to remain for the pres ent, removing, however, to Iho Cavillers' House. Then I asked if I was to leave when the King arrived. No. It was the King's particular desire that I should be sear him It was arranged that I should remove at once to the Cavaliers' House with my little retinue, to appear in the King's house only when commanded by my father. Aside from the most necessary servants the Royal train would consist only of the Privy Councillor and an adjutant. The Crown I'rince Is not to undertake the Regency until my father arrives hero and is some what rested. Though the Sea-Alp is almost Inacoessl! le, the shores will be surrounded with a cordon of gendarmes. Only persons armed with passes will be permitted within the lines. If the condition of the King should permit him to hunt something greatly desired for the sake of report in official dispatches the forester of the district has speclUc and wonderfully strict orders. After all had been arranged the rest with drew and the Privy Councillor remains 1 alone with me. Then I learned It. 1 said: "I wish to learn if the catastrophe is to be expected soon In the case of my father." "No." "But the Regency of the Crown Prince may last a long time?'" "Very long, considering ths strong con stitution of His Majesty. " "That mentis long, long illness with pro gressing" 1 dared not utter the fearful word. Hut there wis no negitlon. 1 asked further: "Must my brother's malady take th . same or a similar course?" "Positively not." "Then the condition of the Crown Pnnee is not hopeless?" "Certainly not; as soon oa Hi High ness " "As soon as what?" "Ah soon as the Crown Frlnoe can over come the fear that his condition might be come hopeless " "He lives in this fear?" "CoTistanlly." "He lives in this fetr since he loaruel what is the matter witli us all?" "Since that day." 1 exclaimed pau-ionntely : "Then the Crown Prince was driven knowingly into this fear that may become his slayer! Bit . do you know that a cr ine has be?n perpetrated against my brother?" "It was considered necessity 10 upp'i the Crown I'rince of tiie matter." "The result of that mad decision ix 1h.it my brother imagines ids condition to be hopeless, although it is not so. Have ou not assured him of this?" "I have Bworn it to his Koyal Highness." "And the Crown Prince doei not boll' you?" "No." I thought of my brother's vluit to me, when wo met like brothers and mortals for the first time In our lives. I remeinberu.1 his words: I have no rifiht to marry. The marriage of a rn.-in like me" . Suddenly a terrible thought came to me. I stoed blill before the doctor and ex cl.iin.td: Vy ir..U.er would like to renounce his claim to the throne!" "Tour Royal Highness!" I know it!" "The Crown I'rince cannot be permitted to retire." "But he wishes to?" "Yes." I suppressed a cry. I became dizzy. As In a vision I saw my brother flee the throne, escape the curse of our house. And I saw myself taking tho burden of the heritage, Baw myself crowned, on the throne, felt the curse on my own head. When I looked at tho doctor again I saw his eyes upon me, met his glance, penetrating and fixed, most remarkably penetrating and fixed. "Why must my brother not be permitted to retire?" I strode toward the man, whose gaze stirred something within me, for which I cannot find a name even now. It was something inimical, something like hate. "Have you not heard me? I asked why the Crown I'rince must not be permitted to retire. You put a strong, a most re markably strong, inflection on the word. Would It be a misfortune for the land if I succeeded to the throne? Am I, who feels himself strong and healthy, whom the people love, am I, without having suspected it, my father's truest son? I have no fear of the phantom of our house. I have fear only of the one thing that my brother my retire, although he should not. At any rate, I should never accept the throne. Why do you fix your eyes on me con stantly?" I must have become pale as a corpse under the penetrating glance of the un canny man, and 1 began to tremble vio lently. Suddenly I fell into a chair, con cealed my face in my hands, and began to sob. Something swept over me like a fit. I felt as if I were sinking into bottomless depths. My sense vanished In night. The first that I felt again was The fare of the great physician, once more fixed steadily upon me. Hut he seemed to have a new expression. I saw his eyes close to me, looked deep Into them and his glance was soft and sad, sad without end. And still I retained the dull sense: "This man Is your enemy and you hate him." But I must have dreamed all this. For when my senses returned, the Privy Coun cillor stood In respectful, official distance from me, with a face as If I had con versed about the most trivial matters In the world with him. His sick Majesty is to be received with great ceremony. The Royal Boats are cov ered with flowers, the Royal House Is cov ered with wreaths. Tho hunters must fire their guns, and in the evening fires of Revived in All Their Glory vHE sign !n a well known furnish ing store, which reads, "Curtains for windows and beds," may seem odd to the uninitiated. But the woman who is learned in the latest lore of household decoration knows that in buying curtains for an up-to-date bedroom something more than the windows must be reckoned with. A society woman, the daughter of u well known artist, wishing to protuoe a focu for her newly furnished bed chamber, had a canopy so constructed that It foi ined a decorative outside scheme for her modern and fashionable maheguny bed. It con sisted of four posts in a good design. They were built of stout white wood with broad sides, somewhat on the lines of the Elizabethan period. The framework fitted snugly the bed proper from the outside una Was painted in a tone the exact cob.r of the mahogany. Each prst was flitel with a brass castor, so that ll move! ab iut easily, and when the Led was handsomely attired It created quit? a Eon.atio:i as a novel home appointment. For its winter dress the top, from pojt to post, was covered with a flowery material in linen or silk. ArounJ the four id;8 was a comfortable ruffle three-e ghtb.3 of a yard wide, trimmed on the edge with a tassel fringe, while at fach Bile cf the headboard hung long, full turlalns, aol yet not too full, of the same charming texturu as the ruffle. To complete this pretty pic ture there was a deep valance winch orna mented the lower part of the bed. This Kngllsli affair was a snug plaee for cold winter nights and when the warmer days set in the upholstery was taken down and the bed dressed In a thin summer attire, or left bare. lie J hangings are now the fashion. The daintiest and lightest of colorings nre used for them, from madias of pure whit?, nets, tambour muslins, or the thicker and thinner fabrics of soft India silk, to bro cades In all their pastel shades. A ch trming appointment fc.r a cM:d s room, particularly suitable for a II tie (111, is a white wood bed paintei in a fllg.it floral design and outlined with gilt. The monogram of the little one or her fint name should decorate the hoidhoird. As an artistic treatment a large gilt or hr :a.i ring should he hung from the wa'.l throjg'j which two curtains are pisd. filling In graceful folds at either fide. They can be of blue or pink India siJk, a dilnty dcslg.i Of Swiss muslin edged with beading or lac-d Joy will be lit c-n all th penks. It Is the Joy of a loving people by order of the Royal Marshal. Tho welcome will be told of In all the papers, and will serve as a document proving tho "love of the faith ful people" for their monarch. The love of the faithful people I listen to the voice that tells me, softly, softly, secretly, secretly: "Tho faithful people hate their ru'rr. They do not hate his successor, yet they do not love him. The faithful people love you." My people's love! How could the word escape me? I do not wish to tie loved by tny people, as I thank Ood on my knees for the mercy that has saved me from the misfortune of hav ing to Iktiiido the rider of n "faithful'' people. The misfortune. Surely! For they say that It will be a misfortune for the nation if I How can a person retain his sar.ity over such matters? The Klrg has arrived. Since yesterday the whole hike has been surrounded with police. Tho King must not know It. hence they are disguised ns boat mi n, hunters and wood-choppers. No I wll! not believe It! I will not be lieve that my father Is ill not 111 with such h malady. The King Is as he nlwnys has been. Perhaps he l a little more weary, but only a shade more so. His voice Is the same, and hi glance has noth ing strange for me. Only one thing I noticed. In my father's countenance there w the small, the very small, sharp wrinkle between the eye brows. Since I saw him last. It has be come deeper, much deeper. It gives the features such a peculiar expression, as If I cannot find tho right word. Where have I seen that lltt'e wrinkle and thit curious expression before? 1 cannot remember. . The mirror tells nie that 1 have no s :c!i wrinkle-not yet. Hut the Crown Prino? hns one. Yet he must not retire, and It would be a misfortune for the country If I will the King-wrinkle apix-nr In me, too. In time to come? And If It does, how will It bo with me then?' CHAPTER X. On the Sen-Alp Autnnin. I still sleep so poorly that I spend a great pari of the night In roaming around. So I have learned the way of the machinery. The King's House is illuminated brilliantly all night long. Wax candles burn In eve y room. Tho shades are down and I sej shad ows on them as If the King, too, had peace- or fringe. If peferred? they cm be tied back with a narrow satin ribbon In tints of pure white, pale jcllow, pink or blue. If a more slender drapery Is desired tin re are figured nets, in colors or plain, prettl'y lined with silk or mercerised sutien In any of the colors. Hut the dressing of beds Is (in art In itself. It dates far back and In somrf c ises is famous for Its conspicuous splendor. As a rule white Is considered best, on account of its purity, yet there are delicate color ings which are attractive if rightly chosen. Bows of ribbon rosette i and big I .op a and ends In any of the colorings already namel form a good finish. As for hangings, the market abounds with many beautiful textures. Tamlmur sets are charming with draperies of the same tex ture. The French white work is exceed ingly decorative, with curtains of n much thinner material. Japanese fabrics are al wuys aceptable, and can tie had In pure white with a knotted fringe or In tan or tea-colored pilk edged with lace of the same shade. Every bed should have a valance. It Is a finish to the four sides, and may be had In any fabric desired. It should be fur nished with a two-Inch hem, a wide casing through which f. tape Is run on to the bed nt nn Interval of a quarter of a yard wide. It may mutch the hangings or not, as pre ferred. In one artistic home the bed in the guest chamber became the prominent feature of tho room by the aid of a large Empire looking glass The bed, for want of more room, stood against the wall, the glass forming a background for the canopy that decorated both head and footboard. The draperies were of sage-colored silk with stripes and flowers one shade darker. These hangings were fastened to a crown like cuhslon hung from the celling and edged with a fall cf deep sage lace, which fell gracefully cn either side of the glass and shown the frame In its beautiful. Em pire design of gray and the white plaster. The bed was adorned with brass carvings on all sides, and to enable the guest to get into it with ense two handsomely carpeted steps were placed at the side. The spread and bolster roll was of the fine sheer swIss trimmed with Insertion. A monogram, deco rated with field flowers and grasses, adorned the center. The bolster roll was trimmed with rosettes of sage satin ribbon, mid l.oth h.rad and roll were lined wkh tho same shade as that of the hangings. less night. T.nt rdrrht I thought that I heard a Voice there. A cry, like a stilled si i cam, followid. 1 was about to rush ! tho house, but 111 the next moment every thing wan silent again mid nt the same time 1 remembered thut It was strictly for bidden to approach the side of tho house on which the King's looms inc. Today nt dinner the King told us of his forini r visits to the Sea-Alp. In those days he hated game drives, but hunted the chamois all alone, lie was a ueulous hun ti r of eagles, too, and often lowered him self ly ropes to find a nest, lie said that In- had enjoyed his happiest times on the Sea-Alp Hi' said It wi:h u laugh. It was a terrible laugh. 1 have just returned from a walk with the King. It whs the first time that we went out tov.ether. Fcr the first time in my life 1 was alone w'lh my father; for niither the Privy Councillor nor the Adjutant ac eouipaiiliil us. We vi ::l over the mountain slope, and climbed upward on the path that finally leads to the White Kmperor Meadow. It is so steep and, In places, so close to chasms, that 1 (atir.ot understand how herds can bo driven up and down. . The King was ahead of me. At hist he stood still, loci. ill mound and said: "i'p this way lies the White I'nipe.nr Meadow. That is a magnificent pluce. Have you liei n tip there?" "Not yet." "I was different when I was young. It Is a new generation now, weak anil worn out. And then they ray we old ones are the weary and crumbling ones. You young ones are the ones." With every word the little, deep wrinkle seemed to grow deeper. 1 did not reply. We climbed higher. Again the Klnc paused and ngain he spoke: "As Crown Prince 1 was overtaken in this region by a mow storm. I had to hang to yonder lock In order not to le blown Into the depths. My huntsman could not help mc. The mini had lost his way an 1 wandered in v.iln peeking me. Hours parsed, the storm did not cease, night came. My ar lis became lame, cramp seized my body, I felt that I would have to let go. Hut I willed that I should not die. For I wished to become King. I willed Itl Hour after hour passed; but I held fast. I tell you, no tempest cm hurl you Into an Bby:i8 when over your head there hangs a crown." Ho paused, looked at me with the look of the King, nnd concluded: "Not till morning did the storm mod erate. It had splintered rocks and up rooted giant trees. My people thought me lost. Hut I lived! For ten hours I had hung to t lie rock. During those ten hours I had learned whnt a man's will what a king's will can do. It is stronger than death. Hut only when a crown hangs over a man's heed." At the next pause my father said: "On this path a beautiful young girl met me one day. She was a forester's daughter and she tended a flock on the Alp up there. You cannot Imagine how beautiful she was. An Alpine Illy! She did not know me and we chatted. I wish 1 knew what bus I ecome of her." I could have told Ills Majesty that. We bad scarcely marched ten minutes more when somebody approached. I recog nized him from afar and wns so frightened that I had to stop and catch my brcnth. It wes I-olsl. He was coming from the Alii where his sweetheart was. I had thought that they had sent him far away, and now he was here, here of all places! The King wetrt forward again. They met. lie did not see me at all. He saw only the King. Fixing his gaze rigidly on the King's face, he approached. The King stood still, and the other stood still, not taking his eyes from my father. Then suddenly he stepped aside. Still without removing IllH ga ze, he let tho King pass. We had walked only a short distance when my father spoke to me with a hoarse Voice. Ills face was pale. "Did you notice it, too?" "What?" "The fellow has the eyes of a murdererl Who Is he?" "A huntsman." The King repeated, half aloud: "lie has murderer's eyes!" That moment a girl appeared on a Jut ting rock. She was young, magnificent, her plaited blond hair lying nround her forehead like a heavy golden band. With out noticing us, she cried a farewell to her sweetheart. Then, sweeping us with a careless glance she disappeared. My attention had been momentarily dis tracted from the King. When I looked at him I was terrified. Ills countenance was distorted, his breath came painfully. I ran to him and asked him what was the matter. He did not reply. I begged him to sit down and rest. He did not reply. I cried aloud to htm to recall htm to him self. He did not seem even to hear me. Tho first sound that came from him waa a low, hoarse giggle. Just so horribly had ho laughed the other day when he told us of tho "happiest" time of his life. Now I know that the land needs s Regent. (To Ho Continued.)