The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-09-07
a GRAND DUKES ROMANCE.
Alexis of Russia Said to Have Been
Married in New York.

Married in New York.
From the Philadelphia Press.
PARIS, Sept. 3.-The Journal lie Mdtin
has special sensation today in letter
from st. Petersburg, which says:
81 can tell you sensational story which,
after having been absolutely kept secret for
some lime, has within the past few days
leaked out and been the subject of gossip at
the imperial court. It means briefly that
we are shortly to be favored with a new
grand duke.
THE facts are these: It has always been
q matter of comment that the second brother
of the car, in spite OF his Al years, has
never been married, and shows no DISPOSE
ton to enter the holy state. l give you now
the absolute facts why the Grand Duke
Alexis and admiral of the Russian fleet is
bachelor. and why he will remain SO until
his death.
'When quite youth he fell desperately
in love with one of his mothers (the car
mas maids of honor, young and charm
ing girl named Vera Shoukovskaja, daugh-
ter of the great national poet, who in his
turn was the tutor of the Emperor Aexau-
der Ill. Vera, though not pretty, was re-
markably intelligent. The young people
met often, and their love was mutual and
ardent so ardent, indeed, that the daughter
of the great poet forgot her prudence.
Then bold step was decided upon. The
lovers vent hand in hand to the Emperor
and on their knees begged his consent to
their union. The reply was brief and per-
emptory refusal. TIE Empress was equally
severe, lamenting bitterly that her fevorite
son should desire to marry a daughter of
the people. The punishment that followed
their iEdiscretion was harsh. Vera was
banished from court and sent TO small
farm belonging to one of her relations, where
she was kept in the utmost seclusion. The
Grand Duke Alexis was handed over to the
care of the celebrated Russian admiral,
Possiette. and was sent off on cruise
around the world.
"Vera, however. was no ordinary
character. She escaped from exile and set
sail for America, rejOining the grand duke
in New York. There, in exchange for a
round sum Of money. antorthordox priest
Of the Greek church made them man and
wife, and from that moment Vera accom-
panied the duke wherever he went. III
Canada she gave birth to fine boy, but,
weakened by her long and faliguing
travels, she fell i'll and upon her return to
Europe was obliged to go to Montreaux, in
Switzerland, in the hope OF successfully
fighting the first seeds Of rapid comsump-
ton.
THE Grand Duke returned to st. Peters,
DuTRs WueT6 rs DAILY TeCSlFc'A utWS OF us
beloved which became more and more
alarming every day, till ct last the physi-
clans pronounced the case helpless. The
Duke then went to his father and told him
all Alexander, who was q good-hearted
man for an Emperor, said: II have known
the whole affair for a long time and know
also that there are no OBSTACLES for those
who love. Go, my son, and comfort the
last days of this unhappy lady"
1.-THE duke Immediately left for Switzer-
land, whence, a few months later, he re-
turned an inconsolable widower. Before
her death the young wife obtained from
her husband q double promise not to neg
lect her son and never to marry again.
Alexis has kept his word. and, in spite of
the persistence Of the car aud all Of the
imperial family, has, absolutely refused 10
marry.
"dis son is receiving a careful education
in Switzerland, but up to the present mo-
ment has never set foot in Russia. 1t is
now understood that the reigning car, who is
greatly attached to his brother Alexis, is on
the point of bestowing on the young son Of
the grand duke and his vera fun recognition
aud the titles which justly belong to him.
In this decision he has been greatly infu-
enced by the empress. and it is thus that
We are shortly to have a new grand duke in
the person Of the young and charming fell
low OF H."