St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1900-02-10
THF cZARINA's LOVE STORY.
Long and Stubborn Opposition II I'd
{, he overcome Before She
Married the Caar.

Married the C.ar.
The czar always loved his orphan
cousin, and as they met somewhat frc
aucntly he did not lack opportunity o
discovering for HIMSELF that his lov'
vas reciprocate6. But there wer,
grave objections to the match. and th'
young lovers had many enemies. Ths
cars parents opposed the union will
all the emphasis they could command
Princess Alix was a Lutheran, an6
Nicholas belonged TO the Greek church
To Alexander III. this was almost 9
fatal objection to their marriage. ant
everything was done that could be dons
to convince the young heir to all th'
Russias that he must accept another
bride. Even Queen Victoria joined the
little army arrayed against the lovers
Princess Alix was her favorite grand
daughter, and she did not wish hel
to change her religion or to face the
perils of the Russian throne. There
was another serious objection, too
Both the lovers were delicate, and Alex
ander III. was naturally anxious that
the throne of Russia should be occu
pied by his sons son. At last the OBJ
stinate czarowitz was sent on voy.
age round the world, it being hoped
that in the constant change of scene
.,e would forget his love and come back
prepared to do as he was told. The
love which had bound Nicholas to his
orphan cousin was not, however, a
thing that could be put of in a new
country, and the heir apparent went
back to Russia more determined than
ever not to marry unless he loved. The
voyage had greatly improved his
health, so that part Of the objection
was removed.
But there still remained the religious
objection, and Nicholas pressed his suit.
He was fortunate in securing two pow
erful allies-the then duchess of Edin-
burgh ard Grand Duchess Serge. sis
ter of the princess. Together these
women were able to overcome the IA
therS objections, but Queen Victoria
had yet to be won over. 1t was no easy
task to convert the queen. but it was
done at length. The duchess of Edin.
burgh persuaded the prince of Wales.
and Princess Victoria prevailed upon
her majesty. Then, as if to compensate
the young people for their disappoint-
ments, the queen suggested that they
should visit England. Prince Louis Of
Battenberg invited the princess to Wal
and hither the young
man who was to rule hundred mil
lions of human beings came to win the
hand and heart of the woman he loved.
One would have thought that now the
task was easy, but the princess was
not easily won. II others had felt that
she should not change her creed, she
herself had felt so even more strongly.
Years before. when the czarowitz first
spoke of love to her, she had not lis
tened, because of her horror Of hav-
ing to change her creed, in which she
is said to have devoutly believed, and
her strong religious nature had only
rooted this objection deeper and deeper
rs the years went by. What happened
ut Walton. how passionately the de-
voted Nicholas pleaded, we do not
know. But we know that year after
ward, at the wedding of her brother,
Grand Duke Ernest of Hesse. and
Princess Victoria Melitia of Coburg.
the betrothal was publicly announced.
The czarowitz had turned up at Co
burg at the last moment, not having
been expected until shortly before he
arrived. II am determined at last to
have an answer out of her own mouth"
he said to his parents as he started. A
day or two before the princess had
talked of her lover with tears in her
eyes. She gave vent to her religious
scruples before her brother. "You do
not love him then?" said Grand Duke
Ernest; and the answer: ''Oh, yes. !
DO, do" showed how painful the
in her mind must have been.
The queen was the first to be in
formed of the news that the czarowitz
had proposed and been accepted. and
here was great joy among their friends
luot os AAet suC fouS wOotu8 was OSCI.
Then came the illness of Alexander
ILL.,, and the princess was summoned
10 Livadia to nurse the dying czar.
When the monarch passed away, and
her lover was emperor of Russia,
Princess Alix wore no signs of mourn
ng. 1t was q happy thought Of the
empress that no needless pain
should mar the JOY of the bride. who
vas SO soon to share her sons throne,
md the house of mourning was bright
sned day by day by the beautiful, sad
igure OF the future empress, dressed
n purest white. 1t was thought best
hat there should be no delay for
'orms sake. and the funeral was quick
y followed by a wedding. On Novem-
Der 26, 1894, at the age of g, Princess
Nix became empress of Russia
Young Woman.