West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1877-12-08
A Romantic Infatuation.

Some time IN the spring OF 1873 there
appeared ut the court of the Queen Dow
ager Josephine, of ofSweden-then soiourn-
ing at the summer palace at Rosendal--
four young and beautiful girls, whose
remarkable talent as musicians had at
tractcd the attention of musical connois-
seurs of Europe. and through the medi-
umship of Ottillie Weigren, secured
them the friendship, rs well IA the pat
ronagc of royalty. 1t may bc readily
understood why the advent of these fair
artists, who from childhood had been
proteges of the King, created n geat sen
sation among the susceptible youth at
tached to the court, and passing hours of
idleness amid the beautiful scenery and
charming pleasures of this sfavorite abode
of the Queen Dowagcr. Among those
attracted by the beauty either of the
place or of its fair visitors, was young
noble who has since become prominent
IN European politics, and who stands
next in succession To the throne of n
kingdom. He had ever been fortunate
in love; but at last he met his fate and
suffered defeat wounding TO his pride,
but more wounding TO his heart. TO one
of this quartette of beauties he became
deeply and devotedly attached; but,
though IL was apparent his affections
were not engaged elsewhere, she would
give him no encouragement, and all his
advances were met with the coolest in-
difference when they could not be
avoided altogether. The talent of this
quartet.e of beauties caused them To- be
invited To visit various European courts,
and through Austria, Russia, Holland,
and the Rhincland, the devoted Prince
followed the object of his hearts ailec-
tions. Presents of immense value, and
letters borne by the hands of cmbassa-
dors, were alike quietly, but firmly re-
fused, and the lovely girl, TO all remon-
strances of the friends at the extremity
of her coldness, declared herself "wed-
ded To her art" At length in the fall
of 1876, she, in company with three fell
low graduates Of the Conservatory of
Music, Stockholm, left suddenly for the
United States. Not even their nearest
relatives knew of their intention TO leave
Europe. AS TO Prince Paul x, he
was nigh distracted. Compelled to re-
main in Europe, and not daring TO re-
linquish the duties Of his high sta
tion, he was forced to abandon the pur-
suit of the object of his alteration i'm
proprid perS0RnG, but trusty messengers
were sent i'm every direction to discover
something of her whereabouts, when all
doubts were set at rest by the arrival of
dispatches from New York. After Civ
ing concerts in connection with the Ole
Bull and Thomas orchestra the quar-
tette last spring secured the services of
John ID. Mishler, and commenced what
is TO be n musical tour Of the United
States, To- be completed at San Fran
cisco. During their vacation this sum
mer they were continually followed 10
various watering-places by u tall, dark,
foreign-looking gentleman, who seemed
to be interested in their every move
ment When they retired for month
TO quiet Borks county farmhouse, he
took board at the village hotel, and was
observed 10 watch them at every oppor-
tunity. When they started on their
concert tour, he was an attendant at
every concert in every town, and invari-
ably stopped at the same hotel as they
did. His conduct was at last explained,
and the whole story came out by his ac-
tion at the Tiff House, where he seized
the opportunity TO have an interview
with the lovely blonde who had rejected
the Prince. What passed at that inter
view can only be surmised; but certain
il is that this watchful emissary had
been sending regular reports to Europe
to his royal master, and that he had OBJ
tanned an interview under his instruc-
tions. Whatever his instructions may
have been, il is certain that the result
Of the interview was most unsatisfactory,
for he Immediately after left for New
York There can be no doubt that he
was deputed 10 offer the brilliant song
stress the share Of throne, and there
can be no doubt that she refused IL. IT
will not be 80 very astonishing--since
princes are but men--if the royal lover
should come to press his suit person.
Nor will il be astonishing this
cold beauty is, after all, woman-if
the persistence Of prince should Mt last
persuade her 10 look with favor upon his
suit.