The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-04-23

nents of our Emperor. But as TO the
other, so strangely alike in many res
poets TO the imperial portrait? Exam
inc the forehead the brows, the eyes,
and. above all. the mouth. and then see
whether you can safely hazard an opin-
ION. Would you not be astonished if
said to you as Hamlet said to his royal
mother, Look here on this picture and
on this, the counterfeit presentment of
two brothers," Resem blance, indeed
there is between these pictures, and for
the most excellent of all reasons-con-
sanguinitv. The second of the two
portraits is that of Mayor Alexeieff. as
The was known to the world. To few,
however he was known as something
more than the Mayor of Moscow, for
they were cognizant of the truth that
In his veins coursed the proud strain of
the Romano{fs!
The secret history Of Alexejeff's life
Is a singularly romantic one, know
but TO very few. TO begin at the be-
ginning ! must go back some forty
three years to the time when. early in
the fifties, the destinies of the Russian
Empire were cOHlIollcd Nv me DTOuu
Czar Nicholas. At that period the heir
to the throne was the Czarewitch Alex
ander Nicholaiewitch. whose ili-starred
reign was prematurely ended during
the fatal days of 1850. when he who
bad freed the serfs and done SO much
20 bring his subjects into touch with
nineteenth century civilization fell a
victim to the Nihilists fury. Though
reared under a parental regime Of more
than ordinary austerity young AleXan-
der managed to enjoy life and opror-
tunities to indulge his taste for gayety
and pleasure.
There had never been and perhaps
never viii be a gayer young set st
the Russian court than that led by him,
but like other royal persopages, his
exalted station carried with it penal
ties as well as privileges, and following
many similar precedents he was prac-
ticaIly forced into marriage with Ger
man princess.
To marry his eldest son off early was
the natural policy of Gar Nicholas and
one which he regarded as the safest he
he could adopt. The fair princess
from the Teuton land. however. good
and amiable though she was. did not
appeal to the ardent temperament
of the subsequent lover of the
Princess DolrorouI1i Though he sub
mittcd with good grace to 3e sacri-
feed on the matrimonial altar in the
interests of dynaStic policy, he had
neither the inclination nor intention of
forsaking certain amours, farmore nat
ural and intense than the perfunctorv
devotion which conventionaiism de-
uanded that he display toward his legit-
innate bride.
THE AMOUR DISCOVERED.
In court circles it was an open secret
Shat the Czarowitz had long been in
love with a lady of the household. and
the bonds of Hymen proved entirely
Intellectual to ex:inguish his passion for
this inamorata. The young Baroness
Clara Won Gerstfeld was one ofthe most
brilliant and attractive Of the young
ladies of the court. Not only was she
distinguished by a rare beauty Of per
son. but her reputation for wit was
equally remarkable. From the time of
her first appearance in ii. Peters burg.
she had attracted universal admiration
end become The object OF the Gar
owitzs personal attentions The father
of this lady was distinguished general
of the same name, a native of the Bal
sic provinces. She herself occupied the
position of lady in waiting to the En-
press.
After the Czarowitz's marriage Baron
rss Won Gerstfeld was closely watched. Is
Il is proba bly, unnecessary estate that a
woman OF her unusual charms was not
without enemies who would have wei
coined the opportunity Of injurjng her
The tongue Of gossip meanwhile wagged
,ndustriously. until finally the current
stories reached the ears OF tine
Car himself. Nicholas, unlike 50
many Of his predecessors. was noted
for the morality OF his life and his in
.sistence upon similar virtue in others.
, Tie was. therefore, not at ali pleased
- no 49, r'ors and soon began 10 con-
slider the easiest and most efectuai
way OF getting this trou blesome Baron
ess ont Of the way.
It was decided AZ first 70 send ner 10
far eff city Of the interior. but when
the Czarowitz heard OF this he brought
all his eioQuence to hear upon his i'm
periai parent to induce the latter 20 a.
Ter his mind. Who can resist the i'm
portunity (which Is inspired by af5ec-
ton ana eoaded TO perpetual eTort by
an insat:ate nasSinn?