Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 July 1892 — An Unlucky King. [ARTICLE]

An Unlucky King.

Round the neck of the Holy Virgin of Almudena, the patron saint of Madrid, for whom a fine new church is being built close to the Royal Palace, a very beautiful diamond ring hangs on a thin gold chain. The ring belonged to the late King Alphonso XII., and a strange history is connected with it, which may well appeal t% the minds of the superstitious Spaniards. On the day of his wedding to Mercedes, the daughter of the Duke of Montpensier, the King gave the ring to his bride, who wore it till her early death. Aftei the funeral the King gave the ring to his grandmother, Queen Christine, who died soon after. Infanta Maria del Pilar, the sister of the King, then became its possessor. She had worn it only a few days when she died. Then the ring became the property ol the King once more, and he gave it to the sister of his late consort, Princess Christina, the youngest daughter of the Duke of Montpensier Three months later the young girl was dead. The King had now become aware of the unfortunate coincidences, and instead of giving it away he himself wore the ring, till he also went to his early grave.