STORY OF A NAVAL TRAGEDY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 371, 23 April 1910, Page 10

STORY OF A NAVAL TRAGEDY.

The recent death, at Denver, Colorado, of Baron Ludwig Vecsera, orother of the Baroness Marie Vecsera, whose name was intimately associated with the Austrian Archduke Rodolph, heir to the throne of Austria—who committed suicide in January, 1889—has, says the "Central -News," resulted in the publication in the Neues Viener Journal of some remarkable extracts from the Baron's diary, which throws a new light on the circumstances attending the death of the Crown Prince. In these extracts, for the authenticity of which the journal vouches, the Baron relates in detail the story of the Archduke's love for the Baroness Marie Vecsera. At first, says the Baron, the Archduke Rodolph had considerable admiration and respect for his wife—Princess Stephanie of Belgium, whom he married in 1881, though the marriage could in no way be considered a. love match; but the Princess did not properly understand his romantic and dreamy nature.

"It was in the discontented and unhappy frame of mind engendered by his married life," continues the Baron, "that the Prince met my sister, a young and beautiful girl, aad a deep and lasting affection sprang up between the couple at once, which was only strengthened by the frequent meetings which folio-wed between the Pirince and my sister and mother. When I heard what was happening, I immediately remonstrated, knowing that any morganatic marriage was out of the question; but Prince Rodolph repeatedy assured both my sister and my mother that ho was determined to overcome all difficulties and obtain a divorce, after which he would marry Marie. They continued to meet more and more frequently, until at the end of 1888 the Prince told Marie, with tears in his eyes that all his efforts had been in vain, and that there was no possibility of a marriage with her. I wanted to send the girl to a convent, but Rodolph would not hear of this, declaring that if they were parted he would kill himself.

"Then came the fatal day —January 29, 1889. A shooting party had been arranged at the Castle Mayebury, at which Marie, her mother, and I were present, in Prince Rodolph's invitation, only one other friend of his being there. The shooting was poor,- I remember. After .supper we left Rodolph and Marie alone, at the Prince's request, and at this interview he told her that they must part. Her reply was: 'Then death only remains for me.' Shortly after this we all retired for the night.

"On the following morning, at seven o'clock, Rodolph's valet knocked at his bedroom door, as usual, but received no reply. Alarmed, he broke into the room, and a terrible sight met our eyes. Four candles were still burning. On the bed jlay Prince Rodolph, a small! bulllet wound in his forehead and one- ki'ui hanging sideways'over the bed. A revolver lay on the carpet. Then we sawthat there was another figure in the room, shrouded from head to foot in a blanket. It was Marie. On a table close to'her was a- bottle still containing some poison, and it was clear that she had poisoned herself. An open letter explained that the couple had aarmi to die together."