, 1875-01-31
ALEXIS AND HIS WIFE,

! OF clkle8 OF tle Eastern t0ntiu1nt.
ALEXIS AND HIS WIFE,
II Il Littlc Romance
Corre.oond<nes ofthe Cincinnati GaxrtzA
BERLIN. Dec. 23.--1n the pleasant suburbs O,
q city not days ride from Berlin there stood,
; tins summer, new and handsome unoccupicd
yard we.e . constant aot1ce OF admiration to q
coy little party OF sum1ner-guests that assem-
bied for coffeo On the piazza OF tho adjoining
house. The building had been put up By d
dealer for the purpoBe Of a:furins soma OF the
gay American butterflies who hover yearly
around the attractive city, and who are Willibe Z
to spend an Immense sum for appearance sake
But the lato panic. Or so1ae other unknowp
cause, had kept the handsome villa long un-
tenanted, much to the regrat OF curious ewes.
that we're only too willing to be amused by
watching the movements OF rlar neiehbore, AZ
we'll aa that OF the asar.clous owher. who de-
manded an enormous rent.
| Oar little circle nas thrown into q 1utter Of
excitement one morning by the anuouucement
that the villa had been rented for faw mouths
to 9 wealthy Russian family. i tetinue Of Ser
| vnnts were soon busy making the necessary
preparations, and one wagon after another toilet
up the sandy road loaded with elegant furniture,
covered with blue and rose~co'ored satin dam
| asks. The arrangements afforded us als eutllesa
| theme OF conversation and ccniectu:es, and tLs
cofee-hour Wss often prolonged as lata as it
was possible TOT us to use our crochet-needles,
! in hopes OF seeing the arrival Of thu f1.uy, OF
the mistress, who We all agreed must be young
! and beautiful to harmonize With tho charming
| decorations Uf her home
| One bright afternoon our anxious waiting waa
{ relieved Nv the sound Of wheels and the 1ricb
! steps OF spirited horses and soou mnguificens
! carriage rolled up to the gateway. The looman
| spraug from his seat, opeped the door, aud a.
sisted an elderly gentleman OF prepossessing ap-
pearance to descana the steps: than rama
r,ru r1f ~ 1er +E,nr, -
beautiful young woman, her grace and catriaxe
] Indicating nobls birth. Eho waa dressed in an
elegant and becoming costume OF sle Latest
mode Her broad~brim felt hat, turned up \. the
eido and edged With gray 0strish feathers, Wills
a long plume Of the Same color drooped grace
fully from the crown, set OF her handsome faca
to the best advantage. She gathered up har vai-
vet mantte and walked proudly into the housA,
without deigninE glance at tile curious eyea
who overlooked her from the neiEhboring piazza
above hes, but bowed graeioslsly to tho servants
who assembled to receive her.
Passing weeks did nor serye to a11ay our curl
osity, for no one could tell who the p.etty Rus
sian was, and after few days the elderly gan
tfeman disappeared. She seemed 70 hare na
friends Or acquaintances. No one ever came 10
the house. aud when abe drove ont it WAS zlyay1
with her child and lady, evidently her COM
panion. Day after day passed tn tbs sarne man.
ner,-the customary drive Ct sn heir or two,
the same submissive greetings OF the bntlef
and footIneh Oh her return. The handsome
rooms were regularly lighted every evening,
aud the rose-colored curtains threw b mellow
rays could reach. But no gay voices wsre head
within, no kindly visitors came to feliaye The
monotony OF the passing hours to the beautiful
mistrcss- The prolonged quiet became weaEl-
some to most OF the guests II tha adjoining
house, and tie Eager curiosity had settled down
to an occasional conjecture as We awaited the
postman. and We're often disappointed in our
pleasant expectations, while lle Invariably passeu
on to the handsome Wills Individually, my in-
tarest increased rather than ahaied foz asI
in my room, which fnccd TITO chamber Of fha
pretty, solitary woman, the gas was lighted, and,
without drawing the curtains, tho child was AZ
rayed By Tho nurse in bis nightly garments under
seemed to be the one hour for which the ntothar
lived, and saw her tender cc-ezses and the
gambols Of the beautiful boy, With =
growing interest thai did not caro- to impart to
less with whlah they regarded me- Knowing
hat still sat by tnt widow, and could see d.
'ectly into the room, they did not care to shut
ne out by 1ooaening the falling drabery of sha
window. So my Kindly interest," kept pace with
NJ Imagination that vova Tor them mahY 4xp-
nautic tale.
A rumor reached US that tho pretty woman
ras the baaiahed wife Of certain member Of
losal family. but nothing occurred to confirm
lla report. The magnificent opan carriage ha4
een put away and replaced By an elegant closa
cab, in Which this lady and child took
heir usual airing. This short days aud cool
vehings sdmoniahed the summer guests, it waa
me to disperee to win.er quarters, and confess
WAS with feeling OF real regret that looked
u the last time on tho bright boy aud his ints7.
sting mother, for my interest had grouu to ba
lore than more idle curiosity.
4 friend who remained promised to announce
} us anything unslial that might happgn tc oas
terestlng netslbor. Soon ne hesr1, s'saace
'1taia Royal family are reported to DO in Paris
II pretty neighbor has received i dispatch reg
hriy every morning." Tho mcascuser WHO
tancea TO bring message to Off audlady; com-
aimed that he had maize thai Io..y walk every
ort1ihg tor some da7e in s,11er % carry dis
Itch TO- the adjoining villa. This se6n,ed to
ntirm the hoating runner, and tho lady grew TO
more an object OF interest than oyor.
Not luhg after an unuaud1 excitement at Tie
ia attracted attention, and tbs anxious appear
CO Of the pretty woman at the window annGuno-
an e1pectant arrival Presently E tall, hand
ME man in plan Black dress walked quietly up
I'M the depot The butler and footm4u vero
it1ng at the door fairly laughing from tha
'wn OF their powdered head3 to the soIes Of
III sl.ppered feet. At the first sound OF tie
eniug gate, the pretty wonasn. tegatd!ess 1T i'll
:enony, and everything but giving away to har
x pent-up feelings, flew down the atarvay
/ ID Al instant more was c1asped III the loving
ns Of hsr husband, the Grand Duke Alexis ii
Asix-
70 lenaained with her Friday, Saturday, aud
a0aJs Ot11y bOAu6 ou6 WILL uEE ana Ll6 Ett1N1
drive IN the close cab. Sunday evening
J took him alone In the cab TO the depot, aud
esday morning our papers announced thas
x1s arrived in Berlin, from Paris, and touk
gings with the Russian Ambassador. W.
wing ones smiled over the petty deception,
out Of regard for the devoted wife said moth
, and now that all danger ID oysf, iutrus
secret to the generously OF your readers, wh
1ow will sympathlze with The situa.ion os th
tty Countess who dares not to be tho ID
'wtedged wife Of 4 possible claimant Of III
ssian throne
REST.
Asleep amid the btllovy rnouude
And palld monumental piles,
Where the surty Ssxtou taket his rounds