River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-07-29
A Romantic Life.

A Boston correspondent of the Hart
ford Conn., Times gives the following
romantic and pathetic history Of Miss
Genevieve Ward, the eminent actress,
who had recently appeared in London
with remarkable success:
When Madame Sontag was in this
country and sojourning in Cincinnati,
she met. among other society people
who We'd in doing her honor, young
girl who sang with SO rich, flexible and
delicious voice that she was simply
captivated. She said to herself, This
is too beautiful thing to be lost to
the world 1t is gem which, polish
ed. viii sparkle with the most brilliant
luster".
With little difficulty she persuaded
Miss Ward to go with her to Paris,
there to prepare for the operate stage.
Her pupil and friend, whom she de-
lighted to instruct and superintend,
gave Madame Sontag perfect satisfac-
ton Miss Genevicve studied faithfully
and practically, at the same time at
tanning quick and remarkably occur
ate knowledge of the French language
Associating with only the most refined
and cultured people, she necessarily
acquired only the best Partisan accent,
and was utterly free from those pro
vincialisms which mar the speech of
many who still believe themselves eX-
cellent French scholars. Her stay in
Paris was varied with many trips in
Guiding visits to Rome and Florence
and her talent, voice, personal attract
iveness and American viyacity could
not be hid under bushel She be-
came very much admired and sought
after by gentlemen of all ranks and for
tunes.
She bestowed her friendship and
finally her love upon Count de Guerbel
a Russian, whose wealth, magnificent
physique andfa scinating manner, made
Overwhelmingly agreeable by really
deep passion. won from the true and
appreciative heart of Miss Wood, to
esteem and admiration which would
do homer to any man who lives. She
was then eighteen petted loved, and sur
rounded by every luxury. Her mother,
whose worldly eye saw even more
plainly then her daughter the adyan-
tages, Of such an alliance, favored the
match, and eventually, i'll full pomp
and ceremony. in the Roman Catholic
church. Miss Ward had the happiness
Of being united to the man of her choice
and becoming the Countess de Gureble.
1t was but few minutes after the
reception, and when the happy couple
had Just started by carriage on the we'd
ding Journey that a messenger arrived
in breathless haste and announced to
the astonished and indignant mother
that Count de Guerbel, being Russian,
considered the marriage sacrament as
performed in the Roman Catholic
church as not binding at alI. and that. |
IN fact, unless marriage were also
eonseerated in the Greek church, the
count could repudiate Miss Ward at
any time declare and sustain his claim
that the marriage was void and null
and leave his beautiful wife in a most |
menyiable position. That since he
was well aware of these facts, and had |
the reputation Of being an unscrupu-
lousy fast man, he probably had in |
tended to secure for his own pleasure
the person Of Miss Ward under these |
false pretenses, and would IN all prob |
ability in time betray her. The mother. /
like i brave and diplomatic woman.
consulted the American consul. OBJ |
tanned his advice, and instantly follow |
ed her daughter BY train, catching the /
bridal party within few hours of their |
departure. Size Immediately presented |
herself to the count. who no doubt was |