Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-02-18
The Grand Duke Alexis Visits His
Wife.

In the pleasant suburbs of city not a
days ride from Berlin there stood last
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 q 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 APP
pearanee 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 well as that of the avaricious owner,
who demanded an enormous rent.
Our little circle was thrown into iut-
ter of excitement one morning by the an
nouncement that the villa had been rent
ed for few months to wealthy Rus
sian family. A retinue of servants were
soon busy making the necessary prepare
tons, 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 1t 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 harmonize 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 a 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
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 ewes
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 q
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, evi.
| 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 we're
regularly lighted every evening, and the
rose-colored curtains threw mellow ra-
dance over the grounds as far as the rays
could reach. But no gay voices We're
heard within, no kindly visitors came to
relieve the monotopy of the passing hour
| to the beautiful mistress. The prolonged
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 increased rather
| than abated, for, as often sat alone en-
| joying the gathering twilight in my room
which faced the chamber of the pretty
| solitary woman, the gas was lighted and,
Without drawing the curtains, the chi d
was arraycd by the nurse in his nightly
garments under the careful supervision
| Of the mother. This seemed to be the
ne hour for which the mother lived, and
saw her tender caresses and the frolic-
| some gambols Of the beautiful boy, with