The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-02-18
The Grand Duke Alexis Visits His
Wife.

summer new and handsome unoccupied
villa, whose outward proportions and
pleasant yard were constant source of
admiration to coy little party of sum-
mer guests that assembled for coffee on
the piazza of the adjoining house. The
building had been put up by dealer for
the purpose of alluring some of the gay
butterflies who hover yearly
around the attractive city and who are
willing to spend an immense sum for ap-
Pearance sake. But the late panic or
some other unknown cause had kept the
handsome villa long untenanted, much
to the regret of curious eyes that were
only too willing to be amused by watch
ing the movements of their neighbors,
as we'll as that of the avariciOus owner,
who demanded an enormous rent.
Our little circle was thrown into f1ut-
ter OF excitement one morning by the an.
nouncement that the villa had been rent
ed Tor few months to wealthy Rus
sian family. A retinue of servants were
soon busy making the necessary prepare.
lions, and one wagon after another
toiled up the sandy road loaded with
elegant furniture, covered with blue and
rose-colored satin damasks. The ar
rangements afforded US an endless theme
of conversation and conjecture, and the
coffee hour was often prolonged as late
as it was possible for us to use our
crochet needles, in the hope of seeing tie
arrival of the family, or the mistress,
who we all agreed must be young and
beautiful to harmonic with the charm
ing decorations of her home.
One bright afternoon our anxious wait:
ing was relieved by the sound of wheels
and the quick steps of spirited horses,
and soon q magnificent carriage rolled
up to the gateway. The footman sprang
from his seat, opened the door, and as
sisted an elderly gentleman of prepos-
sessing appearance to descend the steps
then came pretty child of two or three
years; then the mother. beautiful
young woman, her grace and carriage in
dicating noble birth. She was dressed
in an elegant and becoming costume of
the latest mode. Her broad -brim felt
hat, turned up at the side and edged
with gray ostrich feathers, while long
plume of the same color dropped grace
fully from the crown, set off her hand
some face to the best advantage. She
gathered up her velvet mantle and
walked proudly into the house without
deigning glance at the curious eyes
who overlooked her from the neighbor.
ing piazza above, but bowed graciously
to the servants who assembled to receive
her.
Passing weeks did not serve to allay
our curiosity, for no one could tell who
the pretty Russian was, and after a
few days the elderly gentleman disap-
peared. She seemed to have no friends
or acquaintance. No one ever came to
the house, and when she drove out it was
always with her child and lady, evil
IDENTIFY her companion. Day after day
passed in the same manner-the Gus
tomary drive of an hour or two,
the same submissive greetings of
the butler and footmen on her
return. The handsome rooms were
regularly lighted every evening, and the
rose-colored cur ains threw mellow ra-
dance over the grounds as far as the rays
could reach. But no gay voices we: e
heard within, no kindly visitors came to
relieve the monotony of the passing hour
to the beautiful mistress. The pi olong, d
quiet became wearisOme to most of the
guests in the adjoining house, and the
eager curiosity had settled down to an
occasional conjecture as we awaited the
postman and were often disappointed in
our pleasant expectations, while he inva.
riably passed on to the handsome villa.
Individually, my interest incre ased rath, r
than abated, for, as often sat alone tn
joying the gathering twilight in my room
which faced the chamber of the pretty,
solitary woman, the gas was lighted ami i,
without drawing the curtains, the CHI d
was arrayed by the nurse in his nightly
garments under the careful supervision
of the mother. This seemed to be the
one hour for which the mother lived, and
saw her tender caresses and the fro iC-
some gambols of the beautiful boy, with
growing interest that did not care to
inpart to others, for was Jealous of the
friendly carelessness with which they re-
garded me. Knowing that | still sat by
my window and could see directly into
the room, they did not care to shut ne
out by lsosening the falling drapery of
the window. So my kindly interest kent
pace with my imagination, that wove for
them many romantic tale.
A rumor reached us that the pretty
woman was the banished wife of Ger
tain member of royal family, but moth
ing occurred to confirm the report. The
magnificent open carriage had been put
away and replaced 10y an elegant close
tWo-seated cab, in which the lady and
Child took their usual airing. The short
days and cool evenings admonished the
summer guests it was time to dispense to
winter quarters, and I confess it was
with feeling of real regre: that l looked
for the last time on the bright boy and
his interesting mother, for my interest
had grown to be more than mere idle
A friend who remained promised to
announce to us anything unusual that
might happen to our interesting neigh
Dor. Soon we heard: "Since a certain
royal family are reported to be in Paris
our pretty neighbor has received a dis
patch regularly every morning" The
who CHANGED 10 bring a dis
patch 10 our landlady complained that he
had made that long walk every morning
for some days in order to carry dis
patch to the adjoining villa. This
seemed to confirm the floating rumor, and
the lady grew to be more an object of in
terest than ever.
Not long after an unusual excitement
at the villa attracted attention and the
anxious appearance of the pretty woman
At the window announced an expectant
arrival. Presently a'tall, handsome man
IN plain black dress walked quietly up
from the depot. The butler and foot.
man were waiting at the door, fairly
laughing from the crowns of their pow
1ered heads to the soles of their slippered
feet. At the first sound of the opening
gate the pretty woman, regardless of all
and everything but giving
,way to- her long-pent-up feelings, flew
Town the stairway and in an instant
more was clasped in the loving arms of
Ter husband, the Grand Duke Alexis, of
Russia.
He remained with her Friday, Satur.
lay and Sunday. only going out with her |
md the Child for drive in the close cab.
sunday evening she took him alone in |
he cab to the depot and Tuesday morn
ng our papers announced that Sunday,
lalf-past twelve p. m, the Grand Duke !
Alexis arrived in Berlin from Paris, and |
ook lodgings with the Russian Ambas-
ador. We knowing ones smiled over
he pretty deception, but out of regard
or the devoted wife said nothing, and |
ow that all danger is over intrust the
ecret to the generosity of your readers,