Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-02-03
A RUSSIAN ROMANCE.

occupied villa, whose outward propor-
tions and pleasant yard were a constant
source OF admiration to coy little
party OF summer guests that assem- bled
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 American butterflies
who hover yearly around the attractive
city, and who are willing to spend an
immense sum for appearance 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 watching the move
ments of their neighbors, as we'll as that
of the avaricious owner, who demanded
an enormous rent.
Our little circle was thrown into a
futter of excitement one morning by
the announcement that the villa had
been rented for few months to very
wealthy Russian family. A retinue of
servants was soon busy making the
necessary preparations, and one wagon
after another toiled up the sandy road
loaded with elegant furniture, covered
with blue and rose-cOlored satin dam
asks. The arrangement afforded us an
endless theme of conversation and con-
lectures, 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 the arrival of the family,
or the mistress, who we all agreed must
be young and beautiful, to harmonic
with the charming decorations of her
home
One bright afternoon our anxious
waiting was relieved by the sound of
wheels and the quick steps of spirited
horses, and soon a magnificent carriage
rolled up to the gateway. The footman
sprang from his seat, opened the door,
and assisted an elderly gentleman OF
prepossessing appearance to descend
the steps; then came a pretty child of
two or three years; then the mother; a
beautiful young woman, her grace and
carriage Indicating 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 feath-
ers, while long plume of the same
color dropped gracefully from the
crown, set off her handsome face to the
best advantage. She gathered up her
velvet mantle and walked proudly into
the house without designing a glance at
the curious eyes who overlooked her
from the neighboring piazza above, but
bowed graclously to the servants who
assembled TO receive her.
Passing weeks did not serve to allay
no 4o1l 7l,~
the pretty Russian was, and after a few
days the elderly gentleman disappear
ed. 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 a lady,
evidently her companion. Day after
day passed in the same manner-the
customary drive of an hour or two, the
same submissive greetings of the but
Ter and footmen on her return. The
handsome rooms were regularly lighted
every evening, and the rose-colored
curtains threw mellow radiance over
the grounds SO far as the rays could
reach. But no gay voices were heard
within, no kindly visitors came to re-
Heve the monOtOuy Of the passing
hours to the beautiful mistress The
prolonged quiet became wearisome to
most OF the guests in the adjoining
house, and the eager curiosity had set
tied down to an occasional conjecture as
we awaited the postman, and were Of
ten disappointed in our pleasant expec-
tations, while he invariably passed on
to the handsome villa. Individually
my interest increased rather than abat-
ed, for as / often sat alone enjoying the
gathering twill Int in my room, which
faced the chamber Of the pretty, solita-
ry woman, the gas was lighted, and,
without drawing the curtains, the child
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
frolicsome gambols of the beautiful boy
with a growing interest that I did not
care to impart to others, for I was ieal-
Gus of the friendly carelessness with
which they regarded me. Knowing
that | still sat by my window, and could
see directly into the room, they did not
care to shut me out by loosening the
falling drapery of the window. So my
AAiieiy ihOO1OoO hCpo o1'CO WILL LIZ lLuaS3
lnation, that wove for them many a TO
mantle tale
A rumor reached Us that the pretty
woman was the banished wife Of a GER
tain member of the royal family, but
nothing occurred to confirm the report.
The magnificent open carriage had been
put away and replaced by an elegant
close two-seated cab, in which the lady
and child took their usual airing. The
short days and cool evenings admon-
lshed the summer guests it was time to
dlsperse, the winter quarters, and I con-
fess it was with a feeling of real respect
that [ looked for the last time on the
bright boy and his interesting mother,
for my interest had grown to be more
than mere idle curiosity.
A friend who remained promised to
announce to us anything unusual that
might happen to our interesting neigh
Dor. Soon we heard, " since q certain
royal family are reported to be in Paris,
our pretty neighbor has received dis
patch regularly every morning" The