Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-10-26

ness lost his first Vile sixteen years ago, at the birth of the Prince Michael, who, al- though delicate child, survived his mother, and was the object of bis fathers tenderest affections. Four years ago the Prince Lipet- ska married again, choosing the Princess | Myrza de Zeschaw, lady of great beauty, ! and for whom, it WIS well known, a certain exalted parsonage avowed distinctly pater- nal interest. The Princess Myrza bore two 1 sons, and was devoted mother, not only to her own offspring, but also to her stepson, who was much attached to her, and whose recent uncertain health seemed the only cloud in the princely pairs domestic horizon.
 IA few months ago the young prince be- came so seriously ill that the best medical advice was sought, when change of air and @ warm climate was suggested. The Prince Lipetska being unable just then to lay aside his court duties (he was one of the czars highest functionaries), the prin- cess offered to leave her own young family, and proceed with her stepson to Italy, purposins lat the princes wish) to visit a famous but very old doctor resident at Pisa, who ha1 known the young Michael from his birth
 Accordingly the princess started, accom- panied by q Er!est, dame de compagnie and a largo suite; and they had not been long ab- sent before it was remarked that the Prince Lipetska became greatly depressed, and that i he was constantly closeted with q certain Dr. d'Obresliofr, who had attended the fam fly for years, but who, in consequence of increasing age, and . strong dislike conceived against him by the princess had given up his position as family physician. The accounts from Italy getting worse, the anxious father would have started at once to join his son, bat (to the surprise of all parties) he yielded t) Dr. d'Obreskoff's -entreaties, and instead oF baI o el, doctor, who received instructions to travel with tue utmost speed.
 "Dr. Granviles arrival at Pisa (bringing his credentials from the prince) took the princess entirely by surprise, and he installed himself without delay medical companion to tho sick boy, who took to hlm with Q com plete iufatuation, refusing to eat, drink or sleep save in his presence. Ono day, to the amazelnent of the St. Petersburg world, the young Michael arrived at his fathers house, restored to health, and accompanied by single servant! His father received him tear fully, but without surprise, and few days later tie whole family left St. Petersburg for an indefinite period. Nothing has been heard of the princess, and mystery shrouds the whole affair.""
 .There, mamma," I said, "you see I could tell them moro than they know"
 ''What awful thing,n said my mother gravely. 'I wonder what has become of that wretched woman, and whether we shall hear any more about it.
 This question was answered a short time afterwards; for on the anniversary of the memorable night of tho 17th September, I was sitting at my window, thinking over 1t all, when my mother called me, and to my surprise discovered 0 travel stained stranger in the room with her, and upon his turning r English doctor!' He carried a parcel and seemed overjoyed at seeing me, grasped my hand, calling me the angiol protettore and a host of pretty things, and when I had mas tered my surprise I exclaimed, "How is the poor boy2 Do-do tell me everything from the very beginning"
 The young man smiled and said, ''I have little to tell, or rather little that I may tell; and ere begin may beg of you both to keep all you know secret? For although to some degree the story has become public, the whole truth is not known, and for the prince's sake beg this favor of you."
 We, of course, gave the required promise, and Dr. Granville proceeded with much feel ing to tel us everything.
 'The poor boy,n he said, "nearly fell a victim to the jealousy of the princess for her own children. She was administering small doses of poison to him, which were slowly but surely taking effect. I arrived just in time to save his life. The old Dr. d'Obreskoff had been haunted for some time by horrid suspicion of foul play, and after the princess hurried departure to Italy, he determined to search her apartments privately, and he dis covered such tangible proofs of her guilt proofs, however, which a knowledge of medicine alone could recognize-that he broko tho awful truth to the prince, who bo rocfroiy,a6 c4o of once to Italy to save his son. The doctor, however, advised differently, for his medical mind gathered from the most recent ac- counts that nothing imminent was to be feared, and he knew that unless everything was arranged most automatically, the prince would have to contend against troubles and even dangers at court, in consequence of the princess high relationships. Luckily was paying visit at St. Petersburg at the time, and the old doctor knew all about me; how had been brought up ill the medical profes- sion, but that developing a strong taste for adventure had been engaged in detective cases, and that thus I claimed an intimate personal acquaintance with the two most active agents ill this case-medicine and murder. The prince sent me to Italy with full powers, only impress ing upon me the absolute necessity of saving the princess reputation; and directly I ar- rived I warned Prince Michael of his own danger, of his fathers commands concerning the princess, that he was to eat, drink and sleep in my presence only, and to leave the . rest to me. He was very ill when I arrived, but soon inspired him with confidence, and during that dreadful journey to Florence I taught him to feign death. We had q re- hearsal before arriving, and found that like most Russians his powers of acting were first class" l knew if could only reach Florence should be safe, as was acquainted with Lord Queensland and had warned him , of my coming; but the journey was perilous, as I could not tell whether the princess had , discovered who and what l was; besides, I feared the priest, and how much he guessed , of the truth. However, thank God, all went well. All would have been easy could have taken tho padrone into my confidence, but the prince had solemnly bound me to trust no one-no servants, except Ivan, and I kept my word. In England every one would , have helped me, but with Russians and Ital- ians there are wheels within wheels. One of :, my greatest difficulties was to keep the