Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-02-13
ALEXIS AND HIS BRIDE.
The 1OssipR Lady Sends 20 Amerfea
from Rerlin-The Handsome New
villa and it's Charming Transient
Occunanta

The GOssipR Lady Sends 60 Amerfen
from Berlln-The Handsome New
villa and its Charming Transient
Occupants.
Correspondence Of the Cincinnati Gazette.
BERLIN, December %, lS74.-In the
pleasant suburbs Of city not days
ride from Berlin there stood, this sum
mer, new and handsome unoccupied
villa, whose outward proportions and
pleasant yard we're constant source Of
admiration to cozy 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
American 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 mmeh
to the regret OF curious eyes that were
only too willing to be amused by watch
ing the movements OF their neighbors, as
well as that Of the avaricious owner,
who demanded an enormous rent. Our
little circle was thrown into hutter of
excitement one morning by the an
nouncement that the villa had been
rented for few months to wealthy
Russian family.
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 ascend the
steps; then came pretty child OF two
or three years; then the mother, a beau.
tiiul young woman, her grace and car.
riage indicating noble birth. Passing
weeks did not serve to allay our curios-
ity, for no one could tell who the pretty
Russian was, and after few day.i the
elderly gentleman disappeared. She
seemed to have no friends or acquaint.
ances No one ever came to the house,
and when she drove out it was always
with child and lady, evidently her
companion.
Not long after an unusual excitement
at the villa attracted attention, and the
anxious appearance of the pretty wo-
man atthe window announced an expec-
tant 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 crown OF their pow
dered heads to the soles Of their slippered
feet, At the first sound OF the opening
gate, the pretty woman, regardless Of all
ceremony and everything but giving
away 10 her long pent-up feelings, few
down the stairway, and in an instant
more was clasped in the loving arms of
her husband, the Grand Duke Alexis Of
Russia.
He remained with her Friday, Satur
day and Sunday, only going ont with her
and the child for a drivein the close cab.
Sunday evening she took him alone in
the cab TO the depot, and Tuesday morn
ing our papers announced that Sunday,
1890 p. M, the Grand Duke Alexis ar
rived in Berlin, from Paris, and took
lodgings with the Russian ambassador.
We knowing ones smiled over the pretty
deception, but out of regard for the de-
voted wife said nothing and now that all
danger is over, intrust the secret to
the generosity of your readers, who /
know will symgathize with the situation
of the pretty Countess, who dares not be
the acknowledged wife Of possible
claimant of the Russian throne.