The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-03-31
IT did not know what to say. I said,

at did not know what to say. I said,
Yes
When we reached the sidewalk my
coachman drove up, and the czar ex-
claimed:
All! you have an open carriage. Tt
is lovely night Then he handed me
in, and, without asking my leave,
mounted and sat beside me- His own
coupe and NJ. Molard followed at a
good distance.
When we reached the Champs
Elysees the czar ordered. 'Au pas
Then, turning to me, he said: I sup
pose you are not in d hurry. It is such
ideal night for this sort Of thing
Perhaps a dozen bicycIists were dart
ing forward OF the carriage, coming
back, riding the sides and behind.
When the cZar noticed them he laughed
and said: These must be the detec-
tives detailed to look after my safety
They must be aStonished- This little
outing was not on the programme at
all
After awhile his hand took mine and
held it. 7 could see no great harm in
this and made no deInur-
The victoria was now going slowly to-
ward the Arc de Tr1Ompne- that could al
ready be seen in the distance diInly white
AGAINST the night. In the course OF zt the
converse ton used the expression Y our
Majesty. always addressing the car IN
the third person. All at once he cut me
short impaUenuy-
a Don't Use that expression
% What shall I say2' I asked. laughing
How must one as humble as I address the
say 'Eou,' simply YOU he an
swered- Treat me as your friend And
he pressed my hand TO his lips.
wv hen he finally reached my door the
czar said: I wish could know more of
you Verena'-f0r he had been calling me
by my first name from the first I wish
often and eujov the company of clever
artists Ny door was now open and the
TO his coupe. which had stopped half
block away; and as It came daSnins 70
where we stood he said again: 'Adieu. I
thank you for having granted me your
agreeable company
He then entered his own carriage and
was driven rapidly away.
7 was yet dressing the following morn
ing when the maid came to my room to
say there a man in the studio who
"a Where is the card% asked
% He says he has no card. and couldn't
understand his name; think ne Is an
Suddenly it flashed through me that it
was the ear. and rushed 70 the studio
1T was the ear. He stood there simply
dressed in Il sack coat. with his derby and
stick in his hand. Just ike any ordinary
mortal mort out ut f9T ,,q1 9rn5ng ca WlA anu
- VIII you pardon me for coming SC
early? he said I managed TO escape az
dawn for solitary promenade IN the Bots
de BOulogne. and your house is on the
good-by I wanted to see the place where
you work Are you Wen TINS morning,
and extended his hand
I was very much touched by his atten-
ton, very hattered: and, II must say
the whole truth. his calling. his having
thought of made very happy he
examined everything, selected Il silver me-
daIIion portrait of me engraved by Rory.
as a menentO OF his visit. and gave me a
trinket as token OF friendship He re-
manned about three-q uarters OF an hour
Toward 9 o'cock he took my hand and
said: You are very beautiful, Nerena-
shall alwa vs. remember you when my
mind turns back these few days of
Paris: I am sorry to say adie.1'
% oh. you will come again TO Paris.
said trying to smile, although Tor some
reason felt sad
And then. I may go to St Petersburg,
and transplant my studio there; and II
you ever deigu To honor me again by visit
ing il sometimes
- In St Petersburg conditions viii be
different he replied We have met, We
Then he kissed and as I had al
ways heard it privilege or royalty.
I offered no resistance He want out
Raising the curtain I saw that a COM
had called a cab but the czar declined TO
ride, at least all the way back to the pal
ace. for I saw the two going down the
avenue briskIy. absolutely unnouced by
anyone. although pictures of Nicholas Il
were being sold everywhere. Later in the
day when the czar and the czarina were
departing I occupied seat in one of the
stands and saw him pass IN a carriage
drawn by six horses He was dressed in
a beautiful uniform acclaimed by rh0us-
ands and thousands of Voices He was
escorted by brilliant officers. preceded and
followed by regiments OF CuirassierS. sur
rounded by all the diguitaries Of European
courts. All surely he was different
man from my caller Of few hours before
Our friendly talks seemed far. far-a sort
And that is all" concluded Nile. de