Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-09

The 'Man Of the Linen Mask" and the
Devotion of His Wife.

From the Philadelphia Press
In the blind asylum at Steglitz, short dis
lance from Berlin, there lives a man who until
recently was as mysterious q parsonage as the
famous ''Man of the Iron Mask Certain
persons high in authority made application for
apartments at the asylum which should be
worthy OF wealthy occupant. He appeared
short time after. accompanied by beautiful
woman, who was addressed as his wife. The
man was tall and well made, and dressed in
the height of fashion, with hands that be-
tokened igentility of birth. The woman was
young and aristocratic in looks and bearing.
About the face of the man was a linen mask,
with an opening opposite the mouth and nos
trlls which was never removed in the presence
OF attendants. He sat in a dark room. to which
the servants were rarely admitted. and con-
versed with few. His food was given to his
wife, and the inmates of the asylum knew
nothing OF their name and history further
than the fact that they were from Russia. Ru-
mors were rife, as was natural and many in
genlous stories constructed to account for the
strange imprisonment But the mystery has at
last been solved, and the Man Of the Linen
Mask proved to be the hero Of strange and
touching tale
A year before the death Of the late car of
Russia, although the scion of high and
mighty family, the young nobleman. like SO
many of his class, became Interested in the
trials and hopes Of the nihilists. Time and as
ISOLATION made him one of their ardent sympa-
thizers and assistants. When the murder of
the emperor was planned unfortunately the
execution of the dreadful deed fell to him.
The news staggered him. His oath bound him
to the nihilists, his family ties to the car.
Thoughts of his people and the attendant dis
grace influenced him and finally deferred him;
he refused to commit the crime. Agar passed
by. Another revolutionist had thrown the
ha had IN do nd Law
ander was dead He had forgotten almost
that he had been a nihilist, but not so those
whom he had forsaken. Passing along one Of
the principal streets of st. Petersburg, when
about to greet lady upon the opposite side,
something was dashed into his eyes, and in .
moment the light of day had gone. His mouth
was deformed, his cheeks burned and disfig-
ured. 1t was the work of q nihilist, before
whose modern inquisition he had been found
wanting; vitriol had performed the work. Mad
with pain he was taken to his home, but the
injury was beyond reparation and his doctor
aid in vain. The government had confscated
his estates upon learning of his revolutionary
sympathies, but restored them in part when
informed of the fate which had overtaken him.
The mask was placed upon his head, for he was
unpleasant to look upon.
But the heroism of one woman was shown,
the herOism of his fiancee. She was a countess
and the daughter of q house as famous and
powerful in Russia was his own. She was
neartDrOken Wnen tOlQ OF the nendlsn act ana
the meeting between the lovers was touching
in the extreme. With sorrowfu heart he Of
fered to break the engagement and make her
free again. But the brave woman refused. and
declared that she would remain with him until
death took her away. And they were married
in the little church on the old estate attended
by their relatives and friends. And on their
wedding day they started for the blind asylum
in Steglitz, where they had hopes of restoring
the poor mans sight. And here his wife at
tends him with unfailing devotion and prays
for the day when the afflicted nobleman can
again look upon her face